Curves Fitness Centers

Does anyone here go to Curves? There is one on my way home from work and I heard that it's a 30 minute circuit workout so I would have just enough time to swing in in the afternoons. I don't want to pay for something that's not going to be worth it so I welcome all opinions. Thanks!

We all agree that any exercise is better than none, and Curves will give you some exercise.  The die-hards in the group would suggest that you would be better off in a gym with free weights, but even they think something like Curves is OK for the first year if you are out of shape.  It is not a place for a body-builder, but if it works with your schedule and fits with your goals, it is certainly worth a try.

I did go with a friend a year or so ago and I remember that it was not very challenging. I'm not in great shape, but I do a lot of hiking and things like that. I'm looking into the price of the local gym too.

You're right that something is better than nothing and I think I'm more likely to go after work if it's a set 30 minutes, go through the circuit and get it done. Thanks!

cassiea-

point here is that you want to work out like you said-- if you're an experienced hiker (killer great exercise by the way!) you could buy some free weights or a resistance band -- or something else you can add in to your pre or post hiking jaunts! You stay in control!

but if you have to feel committed to a place-- and WILL go-- try this:

ask curves if you can try 30 minutes 2 x before joining

ask gym if you can go 2x before joining

make your decision after that! if one's not enough or doesn't grow with you or isn't the right atmosphere- have the right equipment for now & as you improve- will let you go when you want, etc-- you'll find out in 2 sessions-- think long term too if you are the committing type of girl like me!

Best of luck! YOU ARE MAKING AN IMPORTANT CHOICE!! MAKE IT INFORMED!!!

Cassiea:

I worked out at curves for about 6 months, 3 nights a week. At the time I was about 15-20 overweight so the expectation wasn't that I would lose much fast. But being consistent with it, plus being better about managing my addiction to sweets I ended up losing 10-12 pounds in that time but more remarkable were the inches. I loved my curves, the staff was great, they had all these fun activities and incentive programs etc. But then I moved and ended up quitting the curves. I went back after a year to a different curves near my home but the atmosphere was just so no the same that I was bored and ended up quitting after 2 months. I agree for you to check it out and see if you like the atmosphere, which was half the motivation for me to go, I have to say. There are ways to ramp up your workout once things fail to be so challenging but also know that if you stick with it for 6-a year, you probably will have to add an alternative like jogging or videos or something to keep up your weight loss.

My neighbor goes to Curves and shes been looking really good! I see her come out in her gym clothes and shrinking in sizes so I had to ask. *nods* curves. I thought about joining just because its 30 minutes and its a group of girls you feel comfortable around. Plus you are in a circuit so you're going to finish the 30 minutes.

I'd ask about free classes as suggested above. I'm sure it would be fine.

i go to a curves gym and i really enjoy it. it's great fun and i do feel more toned -  i haven't lost any weight but i'm at a healthy weight so i don't really expect to and i haven't changed my eating habits. it definitely has improved my fitness as i was ill for 3 weeks so didn't go and when i went back i really struggled but after being back at the gym for about a month my fitness has definitely built up again and i can do more repetitions on the machines.

i agree that it's not that challenging, but you work as hard as you want to and you can always keep going for more than 30 minutes!

it's good fun and you feel more comfortable because it's just girls. you could always go and try it out first and see if you enjoy it if they will let you!

:)

 

i used to work at Curves and they will let you do a two week free membership to see if you like it, it can be very motivating and it is nice to have just women but for the most part it is a great start for women who were not working out at all if you are just trying to get in to the grove of working out it will be wonderful for you however if you have been working out you will not likley see any results   

I think I'll go see about a trial membership. Thank you all for your input..I'll keep you posted!

I keep this posted in my journal so I can copy and paste it when people ask :)

Here it is... my Curves experience.

"Curves is worth the money, in a way. If you are overweight or out of shape (as in, you don't get a lot of physical exercise), it's an easy way to start a fitness routine. Unlike a conventional gym, it's a defined, planned workout that targets all muscles groups. It's recommended you go a minimum of 3 times a week, for 30 mins at a time but that didn't seem like enough to me so I usually went 4-6 times a week. Some people who are obese or inactive may be intimidated by a *real* gym because they don't know which machines to use, etc. The all-female atmosphere is comforting too. The staff is usually supportive and makes a point to know your name so they can congratulate you on your progress.

I was an inactive, overweight teen and I started going to a Curves-like gym in 1999. I lost 40 lbs but I did plateau because there's no variety in the workout. When I moved to a different city 7 years later, I joined the actual Curves after a year of not going to any gym and lost another 20. However, I was going to a real gym once a week as well. After a year, Curves just bored me so I quit and just went to the real gym. I am making progress in my overall physical fitness because I take part in a variety of activities (ie: strength training, cardio, spin class and pilates).

As with any fitness program, you get out of it what you put in. I worked very hard during the 30 min circuit, keeping my heart rate up the entire time and watching my diet outside the gym. Some women who didn't work as hard, did the machines at a slower pace or didn't go as often, didn't have as much success in the same amount of time. In fact, I used to run on the recovery squares but the "trainer" who worked there said I would get better results if I just walked on them! I don't think so!

So, short answer: it's worth it if you are a first time gym user, you are intimidated by real gyms or you need the support of an all-female staff. Otherwise, a real gym would be fine.

I convinced my mom (she's 56 years old) to go because she was always complaining about being fat but she never did any exercise (she was a little overweight, not obese). She lost 20 lbs and goes every day... but she seems to be plateauing now.

For me, Curves was a great starter gym. I ran on the recovery squares and did as many reps as I could on the stations. I saw some people just going through the motions and not really trying... they won't have the same amount of success. I'd suggest trying it, if you're not currently physically active, you're intimidated by men at the gym or you like the support of a group."