Anybody do Curves?

[GEM]

We just had one open up here in town and I'm thinking of joining. Do you like it? Does it work for you? How often do you go? Any thoughts are welcome!

 

[lemondog]

I don't do Curves, but my YMCA has a similar circuit workout "for women only" and I do it 2-3 times per week. I REALLY like it. Ours rotates...some days you switch machines every 30 seconds, some days every 40 seconds, and some days every 60 seconds. The workout is always 30 minutes long, so the quicker you switch, the more times you have to go around the circuit. For example, on the days when you switch every 30 seconds you go around the circuit 3 times, but on the days when you switch every 60 seconds you only go around 1.5 times. Make sense? A couple of other things I really like -- the way the workout is designed, you are getting 1.5 hours worth of workout in 30 minutes, and since every machine is on hydraulics, you are rarely sore afterward.

At any rate, I can't say enough good about the workout. I can't speak for Curves as a company, but the type of workout is one I really enjoy. I never get bored because I am constantly switching machines, and the 30 minutes really flies by. Good luck!

 

[kerrynic78]

I love Curves and it has worked great for me but I know a lot of women who aren't thrilled by it. I joined one when I lived in CT and went about 4-5 times a week although they say 3 is enough. I lost about 20 pounds in 3 months and never got bored of it. I now joined one near me in Orlando and love this one, it is much bigger and they have even more equipment. For me it works great and everyone is very friendly.

 

[Mama Twinkles]

Just so you're aware (one way or the other), the owner of the chain contributes heavily to organizations that oppose abortion. I can't support Curves for that reason.

 

[MandM-Mom]

I enjoy curves!

 

[shortbun]

Just so you're aware (one way or the other), the owner of the chain contributes heavily to organizations that oppose abortion. I can't support Curves for that reason.

Not just organizations that oppose abortion but organization who send the people with the pictures and the trucks with the billboards. Notice that Curves is not open at night because the owners expect all good women to be home with their children at night. Excersize is great but I'll get mine elsewhere.

 

[chyam]

Not just organizations that oppose abortion but organization who send the people with the pictures and the trucks with the billboards. Notice that Curves is not open at night because the owners expect all good women to be home with their children at night. Excersize is great but I'll get mine elsewhere.

I too looked into joining but found their hours to be not condusive to women who work........the ones in my neighborhood don't open early enough or stay open late enough to do me much good............so I walk about 25 miles a week, 6 miles 3-4 days a week and have lost 42lbs since Oct. and it's alot cheaper.

 

[GEM]

Hmmmm . . .

Thanks for the information. That really does bother me. I'll definately have to check into that before I make a decision.

 

[Beth76]

I recommend Curves to older women and women who are overweight and just starting to workout who may not be comfortable in a regular gym setting. If you're young (under 50--and I'm not saying 50 is old!) and NOT overweight it's going to be a waste of money. I joined when I was 26 and about 35-30 lbs overweight from having my first baby. There was no other gym option in my area at the time. Without dieting, I lost all the weight in 9 months. After that, Curves was not good for me. I needed a more intense, and varied workout. But since I had a 1 year contract, I was stuck. I joined the Y (that finally opened!) immediately after my contract was up and I get much better workouts there plus there's childcare and the hours are much better. Now, if your choices are Curves or nothing, I say go with Curves. Any exercise is better than none.

 

[hpygrll]

I joined Curves after the birth of my first son and I can't tell you enough how much I loved it!!!! I lost a total of 23 inches (that combined with Weight Watchers) - it is the only exercise program ever that I was able to do and enjoy and keep going to.

I made a lot of great friends there too - most of the people at my Curves were a lot older (50s and 60s) but so much fun.

The only drawback is that most Curves around here have limited hours - hard for a working mom of two to get too - someday I'll go back!!!

Jenny

 

[hpygrll]

I had to post again - I never heard of Curves thinking women should be home at night or the abortion thing.....is that true? That really makes me think twice as well.....
Jenny

 

[saucymb]

Regarding the abortion and Curves discussion:

The owner/CEO of the Curves company happens to be pro-life and make donations of HIS OWN MONEY to pro-life causes. Not Curves money, his own personal money. I happen to be pro-life, so it is absolutely not a problem with me. However, I can't imagine why it would be a problem for pro-choicers, as it's not company money but his own personal money. If that is a reason not to join, then perhaps everyone should look at every owner/CEO and find out to which organizations they personally contribute and then decide whether or not to do business with them.

As far as the hours, when I went to Curves, at first they only opened from 7am - 10am, and from 4pm - 8pm. Due to popular demand, they started opening an hour earlier each morning. I think it is based on each Curves location and the demand at each one. Some that are in busier areas may have more hours, the one I went to was in a residential neighborhood and thus the hours.

Just devil's advocate!

 

[Pamlur]

The Curves facilities around here are locally-owned franchises. I used to go to one, and it opened at 6:00 am for an hour so working women could come in early if they wanted to; I don't know what time it closed in the evening. A similar facility, Strides, has opened closer to me so I go there now. I really like it better, it has a little more variety.

 

[caitycaity]

i just wanted to say, my local curves franchise, of which i am a member, is open late at night. late enough for me to work there even after going to class after work.

i know a lot of curves vary (since they are franchises). someone on here once told me that her curves was christian-based (christian motivational phrases on the walls, christian music, etc.) mine is definitely NOT that way.

 

[Feralpeg]

I go to Curves three times a week. It opens at 8:30 am. I drop DD off at school and head over there. I like it because it only takes 30 minutes of my day and yet I think it is a good workout. The ladies that work at my Curves are very friendly and supportive. I've only lost about five pounds, but I've reduced BMI and measurements.

 

[DebbieB]

I have gone to Curves for over 2 years. I haven't been good at watching my diet so I haven't lost weight but I think it's good for me to get some exercise. I go 2 or 3 times a week when I'm not traveling. Mine is a large facility, 21 machines (the original 8 x 2 plus 5 others), they are open 6am to 8pm. They started off with 8 machines and split opening times but as they grew, they added machines, increased hours, expanded their space in 1 year (it's in a new shopping center and the space next door was empty).

Mine occasionally plays Christian music, which I know has caused some people to quit or not join. I didn't even notice the words (it is dance music) until someone mentioned it.

 

[TinkerBess_SnowTori]

I love my Curves - they have all sorts of motivators, games, contests, really helpful staff...

They are open from 6:00 (they will even let you in earlier if they are there) until 12:30 then they reopen at 3:00 until 9:00.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Not just organizations that oppose abortion but organization who send the people with the pictures and the trucks with the billboards. Notice that Curves is not open at night because the owners expect all good women to be home with their children at night.

That's scary.

On top of that, how can you get a real workout in 30 minutes?

 

[Albertan mom]

Not just organizations that oppose abortion but organization who send the people with the pictures and the trucks with the billboards. Notice that Curves is not open at night because the owners expect all good women to be home with their children at night. Excersize is great but I'll get mine elsewhere.

I looked all over the web and I couldn't find anything that says this. Where did you find this out?

 

[DebbieB]

I looked all over the web and I couldn't find anything that says this. Where did you find this out?

Some articles I found regarding the owner:

http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/curves.asp

http://curvers.squarespace.com/home/

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2004/001/3.30.html

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/apr/04043005.html