Me again . . . 'CURVES' . . . tried it?

Does anyone on here have a local 'Curves' that they have tried and worked with?  Loved it, or hated it?  Seen great results or not-so-great results?  I am thinking about joining this for some 'extra' motivation. 

Let me know what you all think!!   Thanks!

Helen H.

Hi Helen,

I, personally, didn't like it.  I like step aerobics - in a classroom, with everyone doing the same thing, paying attention to the teacher. I like the gym when it's quiet and empty.

I didn't like the set-up of the curves by me - all equipment in a circle - so you have nowhere to look but at the person across the room from you. And I don't like people looking at me, so I felt weird looking at someone else.

On top of that, you had to make your own resistance on the machine, instead of adding/removing weight like an actual machine. I found I wasn't working anywhere near as hard as I should have been.

Hope that helps!
Darc

Thanks for that reply, I had heard that, I hope others will respond too so I can get a really good idea of what to think.  Thanks again and good luck!!

Helen H.

I actually just got hired as a Fitness Coach at Shape Xpress. I don't know if you have one out by you or not, but it costs relatively the same as Curves but offers a whole lot more. Not only is there the circuit workout, but the machines are dual-hydraulic, so they offer resistance both ways and are adjustable, so you never outgrow your workout. A lot of people complain about Curves that there's no room for growth.

Also, Shape Xpress has tanning, an infrared sauna, massage, classes in an aerobics room, and a childcare room; all things Curves lacks. They ALSO have a seperate area with real cardio machines, so you can get a cardio workout in addition to the circuit. They have really improved upon the whole circuit idea.

Curves is like a band-aide approach to weight loss; it can only take you so far, and in many cases it's already behind you.

I haven't actually tried Curves myself, but my aunt has. She really likes it and has consistently gone for almost a year now 3-5 days a week. She's lost weight (although she didn't have much to lose in the first place) and she looks really strong and healthy now. She has nothing but good things to say about it. Hope this helps!

I think its one of those places that you have to try yourself, I know they give free week trials, so I suggest you do that.  I have been going and I do enjoy it for the most part, you get out what you put in at curves, the more you move and the harder you work the machines the more you'll get out of it, I am not too fond of busy gyms also, so I choose to go later (my curves is open till 830pm) so I am not with a lot of people.  I do also work out at home as well because 3 days a week seems a little low to me, I used to go 5 days a week but now I can't so I do 3 days at curves and the other days I work out at home.

My Mom does Curves (she's 63) and got into awesome shape doing it and she liked the "all female" staff helping her out. 

She's in much better shape then I am :/

i think these answers are all good, but i'll add my 2 cents.  i'm almost through my 3rd year at curves, and i love it.  however, i know that not all curves locations are the same, and there are lots of factors to consider.  i think for us older women, (i'm 60), it's perfect.  the casual women-only atmosphere, the routine, and so on.  but it's worth trying a few locations until you find the right one for you.  friendly staff, natural daylight, music not too loud, free parking, those are some of the things that make my location more pleasant for me.  i changed membership from another site after less than a year for many of those reasons.  and, i plan to continue using it for as long as i am able.

I did curves for about 9 months until I got sick and had to quit.  I am soon to be 47.  I am not one of the "gym" type person and liked the all women thing. 

I also agree if you work the machines and the circuit it can be very effective. 

I live in a small town with lots of retirees.  The curves I belonged to had lots of senior citizens.  There were even some women with canes and o2 tanks doing it.

If you don't want to work out in a gym I think Curves is a great alternative.

Since getting better in my health I now take 2 classes at the local community college - its cheaper than a gym so that's something you might want to look into as well.

I went for several months, and I found it painfully boring.  Yeah, I know you only have to go for half an hour, but they always had on the same music, and you went around in a circle, and it was always the same.  Not the place to go if you like variety or working out at your own pace.

I'm with Squwish.  I went for a few months.  It got me off the couch and got me to lose my initial 10 pounds.  But an hour and half a week is not going to be a good workout.

But the boredom factor was what did it for me.  I never got tired.  I never felt sore.  I never got a full workout out of it.  And the music.  GAH!  Same machines, same circle, same movements... nothing improves and you can't really isolate.

I'd certainly recommend a good personal trainer at a gym.  It did wonders for me.  I've dropped more weight at the gym than I did by eating perfectly and going to Curves.

Try it for a week... see if it's for you.  But remember, a year is a reeeeally long time to do the same exact workout day in and day out.

Good luck!!

I loved Curves and went for 4 months.  The first day I thought I'd died - all my muscles were screaming - but by the end of the 4 months, my body had grown used to the machines and as other's have said, the resistance isn't really adjustable, so I couldn't work out any harder.  It became way too easy and I wouldn't even breath hard, much less break a sweat. 

Although I liked the atmosphere & the convenience, I had to give it up due to my body's need to work out harder.  It was a great stepping stone, and is good for people who are in really bad shape and/or older who just want to keep their muscles moving on a regular basis (like my mom).