Curves

Has anyone tried the whole Curves Fitness for Woman thing?  If so, what are your thoughts?

I tried it in chicago, and I think it is pretty standard across the board. Curves is an ok excercise, it really depends on how hard you work, but I find it was pretty convienant, but perhaps you should try to get a trial membership to see if you liike it.

I think it's an ideal workout for someone that is trying to get started working out.  I did it for a month and really felt great, but I didn't feel like I was getting enough out of it.  I added a 20-305 minute walk before or after and felt better about it.  I ultimately left there because I felt that it was too easy for me and I really needed more variety in my workout.

 It's not bad if you're just starting out - I've never been inside one of course, but I've read other people's experiences and the general consensus is that it's a decent starting place if you're new to working out in general.

 The only problem is that the owner of the chain is a right-wing loony and part of the forced-pregnancy lobby. If control over your own reproductive health and choices is important to you, giving him money may not be a brilliant idea.

 But as for the workout itself, it's supposedly not a bad place to start easing into it if you've never done resistance training before.

Thank you all for your input.  I think my own plan is much better! Again, thank you!

It's a good place to startout. I signed their year long contract but didn't go the whole year. The equipment is not bad but you may get bored easily. I have heard some branches have added treadmills and stuff. That is what my branch was lacking when I went. I am early 30's so I didn't particularly like the music they played because it was geared for an older crowd. Each place is different so you may like the one in your area. I think the best part of Curves is that they weigh you, measure your body fat, and measure you. I wish my gym would do that.

I think you are much better off with a full-service gym such as LA Fitness or 24 HR Fitness (I see you live in San Diego - I am up in Orange County and belong to LA Fitness).

First of all, Curves will probably be more expensive and offer a lot less than a regular gym.  A regular gym will have a pool, racquetball courts, basketball court, yoga/pilates/spin/cardio classes, treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, free weights, machine weights. The variety a regular gym offers should be an important consideration because doing the same routine on the same machines gets boring very fast. Additionally, the lockers rooms will be full service with showers, and a steam or sauna room and towel service available.

Also, places like LA Fitness and 24 Hr Fitness offer child care with big playplace-like rooms. Child care is wonderful if you are a stay at home mom (like me) or just want to get in a workout on the weekend.

I tried a sample work out at a Curves-like women's gym and really did not like. First of all, I really didn't care for the old-lady vibe I got from it. I read that Curves is aimed at the overweight, over 40 crowd. I may be in that crowd but I sure as heck don't want to admit it! ;-)  When I see fit women in their 40s at my gym it gives me inspiration - if she can do it, so can I.  (Also, you see that they are fit because they spend a lot of time in the gym - there is no magic involved) 

Also, I didn't like the machines they used in the circuit. They were not adjustable to your limb lengths and the resistance changed the faster you moved them. One of the machines hurt my elbow. I didn't feel it was a safe (not to mention effective) workout at all.

Lastly, the Curves type place are most likely not open as many hours as a regular gym. The place I checked out had weird hours such as 7-11 and 4-6 or something odd. My gym opens at 4:30 am to midnight and 7 am - 8 pm on the weekends.

My current gym costs $27 a month (you can find discount coupons on ebay for LA Fitness/24 Hr. Fitness) and the Curves-type place I looked at wanted to charge $39 per month and wanted a one year contract. Most gyms these days let you go month to month from day one.

My gym is in a residential neighborhood and most of the people there are in their 30s and up. It is definitely not a meat market place. I think the tone of the gym is location dependent.

I'm sure you are considering a women's only gym because of the intimidation factor, but as most people will tell you, no one really cares, judges you or will even notice you. Gyms are full of over-weight, out of shape people.

Also, when you start at a regular gym you will get an assessment of body fat and a trainer will show the machines for the first time.

Good luck!