Thread: got CURVES?

so i just found out there is a CURVES about 17 miles from my house

has anyone ever joined a curves and how did you like it ?

I suppose they're not all created equal, but I was severely underwhelmed by the one in my town. It was pretty bare=bones. You walk in and there is the circle of stations (machines and "pads" in between) right beyond the counter. There was a laughable "changing area" in the back and a bathroom like you would have in your house, not something with two or three stalls. That was it!

For that they wanted the equivalent of what you would spend on a real gym per month. The music was pretty awful, there's no adjusting the machines (if it was too easy, you were just supposed to do faster reps), and the help were real pushy and wanted to tack on all these "extras" to your membership. I don't think any of them had any kind of fitness expertise or certification. You'd be better off investing in some of the FIRM dvds and working out at home. Just my $.02.

Ghazallah

Funny story. My Sis in law is a pilates instructor and she went with her Mom (my Mom in law of course) to a Curves. She did not know how to use the equipment. Initially a curves rep spoke with them introducing my mom and sis to each piece of equipment and how it worked. So the rep puts my mom on one of the equipment and the rep walks away and never returns. My Sis proceeds to show my Mom how to do it - never been there but she knows because it's so simple - the machines do the work for you. The rep returns and asks what Sis is doing because she overhears my Sis complaining about the equipment and how it's so damn stupid. The rep tells my Sis, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave." So Sis laughs in the reps face and Mom and Sis leave.

Just my 2 cents about circuit gyms like Curves... I think for people who are not very active and need something very easy to start them on the road to fitness and health, they have their place. However, they don't allow for any variety, so you'll get bored easily. Also, as your muscles get more efficient at doing these exercises, the fitness benefits will decrease. Your muscles need variety, which these gyms don't offer. You'll be much better off joining a regular gym, imo... again, just my 2 cents...

....Aaaand I think we may have hit upon some of the problems that can come with franchising fitness training facilities. There probably are some Curves out there that are great, but given the way their business model works, there are also, I'm sure, plenty Curves franchises run by people who "wanted to own their own businesses," maybe even wanted to do something in a fitness or "woman-positive" area, but they don't necessarily have any expertise, and neither do their employees. Some may...but others don't.

i was a curves member for over a year, but quit. i didn't lose any weight. the staff always told me i was 'pushing too hard' so i rarely broke a sweat or was in my target pulse range. most of the ladies in there were able to chat easily, not breathing heavily at all. my curves was basically a place to go and pretend that you were working out. not worth the money at all. i've heard other people that had similar stories. its seems they don't want you injuring yourself, so they encourage people to not push themselves. i've lost more weight from using a free online food diary, and gained more tone in my muscles from weekly dance classes.

Originally Posted by ghazallah

I suppose they're not all created equal, but I was severely underwhelmed by the one in my town. It was pretty bare=bones. You walk in and there is the circle of stations (machines and "pads" in between) right beyond the counter. There was a laughable "changing area" in the back and a bathroom like you would have in your house, not something with two or three stalls. That was it!

For that they wanted the equivalent of what you would spend on a real gym per month. The music was pretty awful, there's no adjusting the machines (if it was too easy, you were just supposed to do faster reps), and the help were real pushy and wanted to tack on all these "extras" to your membership. I don't think any of them had any kind of fitness expertise or certification. You'd be better off investing in some of the FIRM dvds and working out at home. Just my $.02.

Ghazallah

2nd to all of the above, plus the hours of operation are much more limited than a regular gym and no childcare is available. The franchise owners and employees are not required to have any fitness certification or training outside of Curves' own.

In addition, some people are turned off by Curves CEO Gary Heavin's public pro-life Christian stance:
snopes.com: Curves

~~Kimahri

I was able to do small-group (4) personal trainer sessions for about the same $$ as a Curves membership. Ask around and investigate all alternatives to get the best options for your money.

One of my friends joined a Curves here in SF. She thought it was well-enough laid out but it was only a challenge for about 6 weeks. After that, she didn't really feel that she was getting much benefit from the exercise. It's not really meant for the even moderately athletic.

I joined the community center gym. It's small and there are no trainers, but I've lifted in the past, and my workout buddy is a lifter, so I have my program figured out. There are also great books out there, if you need guidance. It cost me $100 for the whole year - that's about two months at a Gold's gym, but I don't know about Curves.

It depends on the gym...

I used to work at one and all I can tell you is that if the staff is trained how they're supposed to be - all of your facilities would be top notch and you would have gotten a great workout-lost the inches-lost the pounds-seen results.


With that said- I didn't like working there-but I think it was just the owner I worked for-personality differences.

Here's what I will say : they need to coach you, and be positive! The circuit coaches are supposed to be out there, in the middle of the circuit, supporting you, making you work hard, correcting your technique, making you sweat, and making sure you're doing things within your body's limits. Go in there and really really get a feel for the staff interaction-because it's supposed to be all-the-time-encouragement. And- dare I say- they are encouraged (supposed) to work out with you!!

So next time any of you go to a Curves and see a staff member just sitting there- really make a fuss about having them work out with you....it's in the job description last time I was there...

I wouldn't waste the money. If there are any regular gyms near you, join them instead or get some free weights. You can develop better muscle and cardio by working with weights, doing lunges etc and walking or jogging. I have visited curves a few times with other people and the only people who have been challenged by that workout were people who were obese and severely inactive. (at least the ones i know)
Plus I am worried that if you speed up the exercises to make it harder, you could tear something and be permanently injured.

you guys probably just saved me a lot of aggravation..thanks for the posts

out of curiousity anyone know the avg membership fee?

Seems like there was a $150 fee up front and then they wanted to sock you for about $40 a month.

I oughta be in bed....

Originally Posted by ghazallah

Seems like there was a $150 fee up front and then they wanted to sock you for about $40 a month.

I oughta be in bed....

that sounds about right. a sign up fee, than around $30-$40 a month.

Yeah, I didn't really like what there website had, I my as well join a gym...

My mother and younger sister love to go to the Curves location in their town. When mom first started, I did notice that her butt looked a little perkier and she seems to really enjoy going and has made a commitment to keep it up. She has actually made a lot of friends and they do other things outside of Curves, including the Relay for Life where they raise money for cancer research.

I think Curves has been good for my mom and sis for social reasons, but I can't honestly say they have really changed much physically. I wouldn't join, but I appreciate that they like going and it gets them out of the house and moving, so that's good.

Jes, I think you aren't really one to sit around at home, so I think you could get fitness results someplace probably a little more challenging. For my mom and sis, they are very heavy and Curves was a good fit.

Curves is a good option for women who want a quick, easy workout. They actually are great places for meeting people, and many of my mother's friends and students like it, and got fitter there.

The machines are easy to use, but the machines reinjured my hip (to get more resistance, you have to go fast - slow is less resistance, not much of a workout). One of my mom's friends also quit Curves because it exacerbated her joint problems. So anyone with joint issues needs to try it out a few time first, not sign up right away. And if you shop politically, Curves Corporate is run by a guy who contributes heavily to anti-abortion groups.

EDIT: and you said the nearest Curves location is 17 miles from your house? Not worth it - you will never go there enough to make it worth your $$! Buy some exercise machines, instead.

Curves is also owned by religious-right fundamentalists...I like to be careful where I spend my hard earned dollars.

Originally Posted by taobellydancer

It depends on the gym...


Here's what I will say : they need to coach you, and be positive! The circuit coaches are supposed to be out there, in the middle of the circuit, supporting you, making you work hard, correcting your technique, making you sweat, and making sure you're doing things within your body's limits. Go in there and really really get a feel for the staff interaction-because it's supposed to be all-the-time-encouragement. And- dare I say- they are encouraged (supposed) to work out with you!!

So next time any of you go to a Curves and see a staff member just sitting there- really make a fuss about having them work out with you....it's in the job description last time I was there...

I'm all for working out but having to push/pull/drag the staff to work out with you sounds like way more trouble than it's worth. Just my .02

~~Kimahri

You could buy the portable 'weights' you fill with water so when you relocate they can be stuffed in a suitcase. (I know people that take those with them when they travel overseas.) Also consider the resistance bands. Portable, lightweight items would be ideal for someone that likes to be mobile. Of course with Zack and processing silks you might not need weights.

I have a friend who opened a Curves with the best of intentions because she really wanted to do something positive for a living instead of just going into an office and pushing paper, but she got out within a year.

Some of the things she didn't like were pretty typical to owning a business I think - crazy landlady, demanding customers, etc. However, there were a lot of things she didn't like about Curves, specifically. Evidently, they're very controlling and rigid. When she signed people up as members, she was told she had to ask them a specific list of questions before letting them join. For example, she had to ask each woman if she was married and if her husband supported her joining the gym. I thought that was just weird.

Also, as someone else already stated, their hours are really limited. It's definitely geared to women who don't work day jobs. I think the idea is that women are expected to be home taking care of their families after a certain hour.

Originally Posted by Kimahri

I'm all for working out but having to push/pull/drag the staff to work out with you sounds like way more trouble than it's worth. Just my .02

~~Kimahri

Touche salesman touche...

My mom joined Curves and really enjoys it, but she is very out of shape from being overweight and having several back surgeries. It works for her because it's undemanding enough that she doesn't get discouraged and quit, but like mish-mish mentioned, I haven't really noticed any difference in her appearance. However, anything that gets her off the couch has to be better than nothing, but I wouldn't get anything out of a membership there.

For some folks I can see it is a perfect fit, but for someone who has been athletic or at least worked out in the past, Curves wouldn't be much of a challenge for long. I work out at home -- if I went to a gym it wouldn't be to hang out and make friends, it would be to sweat and lift weights and do cardio stuff.

You don't really need a gym for any of that stuff if you really want to get in shape, but I understand some people need the "class" structure or the "away from home" mindset. To me, Curves just seemed like too much money for not enough product.

didn't know about the right-wing wingnut element. I'm glad they didn't get my money and now I'm questioning Avon's sucking up to them.... ,f:: I like Avon because their products are, for the most part, decent and reasonably priced, and they don't animal test, but this seems like a case of "strange bedfellows."

Originally Posted by Kimahri

In addition, some people are turned off by Curves CEO Gary Heavin's public pro-life Christian stance:
snopes.com: Curves

~~Kimahri

Just want to second Kimahri here. I joined a similar "women's fitness" facility a few years ago (it was right next door to the studio where I was teaching, three minutes from my home and I though I'd get there more often since it was so handy...but...) and found it incredibly DULL,s::, the music AWFUL,f:: and the emphasis on dieting and weight-loss (as opposed to strength and fitness) off-putting. The attendants were also condescending and clique-ish ,m::. Feh.

Buy a set of free-weights. Much better strength and fitness value.

Originally Posted by maiaraqs

the music AWFUL,f::

And from what I've heard, you can't listen to your own music on an MP3 player because then you can't hear the prompts to change machines. The thought of working out without music that personally inspires me is horrifying.

Personally, I love my YMCA, and think it's a great value for my money. Much cheaper than a Balley's or other big name gym, and you don't have to sign a contract for a specific length of time.

I completed my work-out for today. Lugged groceries home, laundry to and from the laundromat, hauled loving if overweight pets to vet for check-up, etc. Certainly elevated my heart rate. My neighbor laughed at me in the laundromat. I was reading a book and hefting a huge jug of detergent at the same time, trying to build-up strength in my left arm. I was totally unaware of my action, seemed normal.