Curves?

I am thinking about joining curves. I hate hate hate to workout and am looking for a no brainer workout. It seems like unless I am paying for a gym membership or exercise class i just won' t do it on my own. My gym membership is about up so I was wondering fi curves is right for me? Anybody have any experience they can share with me?

Hummm.... I'd say save your money. From what I understand the 'Curves' workout is just above sitting on the couch. Unfortunately you can't get fit on 20 min light workout 3 times a week. 

Perhaps you could hire a personal trainer for one session to walk you through a good workout at your own gym and then you could just follow that? If you did 20-30 minutes of hard lifting and 20-30 minutes of hard cardio 3 times a week you'd be much better off. If that's too much then maybe find a sport that you like and join a team that plays a couple of times a week for some of your cardio - ball hockey and basketball are two great ones.

Or .... you could try the 'Power of 10' workout ... it's a really, really, really hard workout but you only have to do it once a week and it will only take 20 minutes or so. But it's really hard, both mentally and physically ... but, it's only 20 minutes a week.  Check out the book by Adam Zickerman ... but as I mentioned it's reallllly hard if you do it properly. If your goal is to stay out of the gym as much as possible this might be the solution for you though.

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Once-Week-Revolut ion-Harperresource/dp/006000889X/ref=pd_bbs_s r_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234221224&am p;sr=8-1

I just don't buy 20 minutes a week as being sufficient to get or stay in shape.

I wouldn't say it's completely useless.  My mom goes almost every day, and she's in a lot better shape and thinner than she used to be (she's dropped from a 14p to an 8p).  This is the first time I've ever seen her stick to an exercise routine long term (its been a couple years now.) Most Curves let you try it out for free, so you can see if its something you can stick to.  For me at my fitness level and goals, it's almost worthless, but for my mom it works.  *shrugs*

Original Post by smwhipple:

I just don't buy 20 minutes a week as being sufficient to get or stay in shape.

It's a weird concept. I tried it because heck, I'll try anything once. The work outs SUCK and the movements are dumb like hip abductor machines and leg presses (instead of my beloved squats).

Also, Curves is better than nothing but like someone said, it really is a step above sitting on the couch. They advertise on a platform of it's so easy it's like not even working out! and :( traditional work outs make you sore but not Curves

Gee, could this be you're doing close to nothing at Curve

It's true- some women come out of curves without a glisten of sweat or a dishevelled pony tail. That's not to say the program doesn't work. What I've found with Curves is that you get out of the program what you put in. I lost almost 75 pounds and Curves was a big part of that, as was diet. If you push yourself on the machines and interval squares, you'll get results. 30 minutes 3-5 times per week is enough to start you on your path to health. My mother and I both found success with Curves, and love the atmosphere.

Honestly, I'd rather go there where I'm comfortable- where the women are family, with a routine that's "barely better than getting off the couch" than buy a gym membership and then not go.

Like it was said, most Curves locations encourage women to go and try out the facility first. They will accommodate you, run you through the system. Go see if you like it!

l agree with vron, l have a friend that lost a lot of weight doing curves, because she just couldn't handle going to the gym. We both had a free pass to bally's and she didnt like it but she went to curves and lost a lot of weight and l stayed home and found the weight she lost!!

She said she liked the atmosphere at curves and she didnt feel 'judged' at curves.  The machines at curves are supposed to be cardio and strength trainng machines in one machine. l dont think they have the heavy duty weight machines at curves but l don't think a lot of women are interested in those either.

I started at about 170 lbs in December 2007. About 5 months later I was down to 140 lbs. Almost all of that was with Curves and better eating. People who say nothing happens from it either haven't done it or they aren't putting in the effort when there. I would burn between 500 and 600 calories every half hour, but I was one of the rare people there that pushed myself like crazy. A lot of times women go there and just jibber jabber and don't do too hard of a workout. I had gotten to the point with my weight where all I cared about was getting results and taking care of my body, not chatting with the other people. I would huff and puff away while everyone else carried on and didn't burn as much. I don't go to Curves any more as I only have about 10 pounds to lose and I wanted more variety. I now play soccer and work out at the YMCA. Anyways, let me give you pros and cons, from my POV at least:

CONS:

Very regimental. Not much variety. You work the circuit and that is it.

I couldn't bring my iPod, and music helps me so much.

PROS:

If you put effort into it, it works.

If you need structure and regiment to help you start off, it will do that for you.

Only 30 minutes a day.

Great support group if needed.

I hope this helps. But seriously, listen to advice from people who have actually done it. It works well for some people, and not so well for others. It's something to try and see how it is for you. Best of luck!

 Curves can be a good starter gym for anyone coming off the couch - for their first year.

 I haven't heard of anyone making real progress towards their goals after that first year. Which means if you get to where you want to be in about that timeframe the gym can at least help you maintain where you want to be, but anyone else should take the opportunity to graduate to something else.

 It reflects poorly on them that they don't inform people of this, or that if you're going to see results you do need to work out hard. Their alleged woman-positivism feeds into the existing myth that women shouldn't be strong, capable and powerful and are delicate little creatures that would die from sweating a little in your workouts.

 Bah to that.

But anyway - all workouts have a potential results space. The only question is whether that results space is in line with your goals for yourself. Or if you should look into something a little more geared towards real woman power.

 But you never know until you try - maybe you'll go to a tryout class at Curves and feel comfortable with that workout and the results space they can give you. Or you'll give the iron a try and fall in love at first lift. Either way, figure out what you want, and then look for the workouts that will have the results space you're looking for.

Original Post by paigeyj:

I am thinking about joining curves. ... My gym membership is about up so I was wondering fi curves is right for me?

What's wrong with your current gym?

I'm also thinking about trying Curves.  I can't be on my parents' YMCA membership anymore, so I'm looking into other places as well as the Y.  I had a couple of roommates (sisters) in college who had done Curves and they really enjoyed it.  And they are NOT the type to enjoy a lightweight workout!  The three of us would be in the school's gym for two hours everyday working out.  So, I agree that how intense a Curves workout is depends on how intense you make it.  For those who don't work too hard, it's not much.  But if you work hard, you will get results.  I'm going to do a trial membership for a week, and I would suggest you do the same.  It seems like the logical way to make a decision.

The only thing wrong with my current gym is that I don't go. And I need some guidance in making the most of my workouts. I am looking for a total body workout. I currently workout by riding a stationary bike, walking and yoga. None of those things seem to be doing much for my upper body.

Stumptuous.com has some good programs for full body workouts:

Krista's kompleat kompendium of workout routines

thanks to everyone for the great advice and feedback.

If you have never tried something you shouldn't bash it!!  I am fit and at my goal weight and I really like curves.  If you want a good workout that will work both your upper and lower body with a raised heart rate then Curves CAN work!  Like others have said, you can go in and barely work or you can go in and work hard.  The harder you work the machines the harder your workout is.  I used to belong to the Y and do weightlifting, and I prefer this.  It is a no brainer, you change machines when cued to and do 30 sec. of cardio inbetween on a recovery pad.  If you want to make the most of if you can, I jog in place and do aerobics over the head movements with my arms to really get my heartrate up during the cardio parts.  I burned 270 cal. yesterday in 30 min, I weigh 117 and am  5'4, so that is a great burn for me, and I do get sore!  I wear a Polar HR monitor while I workout, I also run 3 times a week.  You will need to do some cardio outside of Curves to see you best result, Curves recommends at least a 30 min walk most days of the week.  The atmosphere is great, and would be alot of fun if you join with some friends and workout together.  You don't have to count reps so you can talk and not worry about that.  I say go for it, and give it a try, you can go month to month if you want too.  Our Curves is running a Feb. special right now too!!

First off, my mom lost over 100 pounds doing curves and weight watchers, so it works... she always left the gym with a sweat! I actually went with her a couple of times and know that I got a good work out in. (at the time I was an athlete in high school) As everyone else has said, it's all about the intensity you put into it. If you actually flex your muscles and breathe properly on the resistance machines, you will get a workout in, trust me! That said, if you are going because it is easier, it will be... and you won't see the results. Most Curves will give you a couple days free to try it out...

Original Post by paigeyj:

I am thinking about joining curves. I hate hate hate to workout and am looking for a no brainer workout. It seems like unless I am paying for a gym membership or exercise class i just won' t do it on my own. My gym membership is about up so I was wondering fi curves is right for me? Anybody have any experience they can share with me?

Sometimes what works the best is something you'll do.  If you'll do curves but not your old gym then maybe that is best.

Save your money! I hated it! I was stuck in a contract for 2 years!!!! Would never do it again!


Clarice