Anybody NOT thrilled with Curves??

[KimRaye]

I tried Curves today as a guest of my SIL and, it was ok. I liked all the different machines, the pace was quick and, neither the owner nor an employee pressured me into anything. For that I liked it. However, it took 1-1/2 hours from house back to house to get 30 mins done. I just can't see myself spending that much time to go and get back when I can do 30 mins. in my basement with a WATP video. jmo of course. IF I were to join I would join one closer to me but still, the traveling and, dressing for exercising quite honestly, just seems not worth the effort. Is this something that most people do buddy-system or, all alone? Or, do you go to 'get away' from the house? How much time do you actually spend to get those 30 mins. done, traveling from home/work back to home?

Please, no flames, I'm just curious.

BTW, I didn't ask SIL but, I think she goes to get away from the house where my 2yo niece is at, who would probably interfere with any at-home workout my SIL tried. And, SIL goes on her way home from work so, all told, it might take her an additional 45 mins. to get those 30 mins. done, not bad for her.

TIA

 

[wiskband]

I understand totally.
I was amember for a year and I did love it. although, I found it hard to get there, their hours and sometimes just unmotivated to get up change get in my car and so on.
I have to say I think it was defintiely a great way for me to begin my journey but now ( a year later) I have found that it isnt quite enough for me! your WATP tapes are a good way to exercise, I have them too and i used to do them when I didnt get there. and I think I used to get a better work out with the tapes. i now have atreadmill and use that as my exercise routine.

If your unsure, why not try and 3 month membership.
I know all Curves are owned independently but, my curves allows a 3 month membership for 99 dollars which is actually cheaper (here anyway) wher i was paying 40 a month. Also, because there are indently owned they have the power to change prices, make exceptions.

My reason however for liking the place was to get away for a hour or so as well as the wonderful people I met while working out there.


good luck whatever you decide

renee

 

[disykat]

I like it, but would not go either if I had to drive a long distance.

I drive about 5 - 7 minutes each way (3 miles). It doesn't take me much more time than doing a video and I'm more motivated because I'm not alone. I usually run by the post office box and sometimes through the bank drive through, etc. on the way home too - things I would have done anyway - then there is no wasted time.

I consider it to be my social time away from home too.

 

[Baileymouse]

Curves Pros for me:

Great no matter what shape you're in - when I was starting out it was a very welcoming environment.

Close to my house - 3 blocks. Can't beat that.

Extended hours some days - this was a personal decision at my curves, not all of them do it.

Cons:

after a year I think I need something stronger to keep my metabolic rate up.

If I miss the 3x a week they're open early, I miss out completely.

The lack of weekend hours stinks.

 

[mum4jenn]

I joined and was going 6 days a week but I ended up quitting before I had my 2nd weigh in because of the distance and the amount of gas I was going through. I am on a limited gas budget and I was going through my monthly budget in just about 2 weeks. They are supposed to open one here in the county I live in but it stll won't be in an ideal location compared to where I live.

 

[LUVDSNY04]

I love curves! I have only been going for a month but it really has improved my body already! I go afer school with other teachers from my school. We are lucky because here we do have Curves on Saturday from 8 to 11. Curves is a mile from school and 2 miles from my home.

I only paid 74 dollars for a year membership and then it's 29 a month.

I wish Curves had opened sooner so I could have been going longer so I would look fabulous at my son's wedding on April 3.
I did loose 17 pounds in a month's time.

I can understand why you don't want to travel that far for 30 minutes. This is the reason the owner of the Curves here started her own gym. She was travelling over an hour to go to a Curves gym and decided to open her own Curves. What a wise decision!

 

[Samandmom]

I have been going to Curves for a couple months now. I do like it. I am more likely to go instead of popping in a workout video. I live only 10 minutes away. I have to wait for DH to get home so I can go. My location closes on the weekdays at 7. I usually just make it in time before they close. Also on Saturday DH will drop me off after we have brought the kids to swimming lessons and while I workout they will drive around for 1/2 hour. Another reason I like to go is that it's my time with no kids.

 

[Nancy]

My Curves is only 5 minutes from my house so that is a plus. The 30 minute workout is easy to fit in. When I joined Bally's it took me 1/2 to drive there, another 1/2 back and it took forever to get on machines. Classes were overcrowded, so i just stopped going.

The only con I have is the hours...they are very restricted here and with my work schedule since January I have hardly been able to get in at all.

 

[KimRaye]

Well, I don't feel so bad now, seeing some people with the same thoughts. I think it's a great place with a good variety of machines for those who live close, can make it during the limited hours and, maybe just need maintenance (??). Like Baileymouse said, I too wondered about the effect this workout had on me. I have been exercising at home for 8 weeks and, I didn't start to break a sweat at curves until about 20 mins into it. I think they all expected some overweight, out of shape, old lady (me) to be dripping at the end. I will go again as a guest should my SIL ask me but, I don't think I want to spend the $$ on my own.

Also from reading here, I suspect, like my SIL, that some ladies prefer/enjoy the time away from home and, I don't blame ya one bit!

For the record, I will admit that I'm feeling the crunches today in my front thighs. Crunches are something that aren't included in the WATP videos I've done so far.

Thanks everyone for your honesty!

 

[antmaril]

I've been going to Curves for four months now. I enjoy it. It is on my way home from work, so that makes it easy. My Curves is open on Saturday mornings and it is about 10 minutes from my house - again, no excuses. I have been going religiously 3x a week and have lost inches and pounds. This is the first time I've ever done anything like this and I find it a very welcoming environment.

I really like it!

 

[Cinderelli]

It's great to read all of these replies. I've been doing "The Firm" fitness tapes (which I like alot). However, I've been thinking about joining Curves for just the reason some of you have mentioned. To get out of the house. I'm a stay-at-home Mom and think it would be great to get out and meet other people. The other plus is that it's less than 10 minutes from my home. I take the kids to school in the AM and can be there in 5 minutes (from the school), then less than 10 back to my house. And, if they have evening hours, it's only 2 minutes from the ballfield where my children have football/cheerleading. I could do it in the evenings, if mornings don't work for me (come July when football season starts again).

I plan to call them and take a tour (or whatever you call it) sometime this week. The only thing I worry about is that with The Firm, you really do get a great workout. I'm hoping this won't be too easy (only 30 minutes). My Firm workouts are closer to 1 hr. I saw an ad on TV today about getting a week free at Curves right now. Maybe I should try that before I actually join.

Thanks to everyone for the info!

Lissa

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by Cinderelli
I saw an ad on TV today about getting a week free at Curves right now. Maybe I should try that before I actually join.

I would strongly suggest that. After all, it's free.

 

[pixiechick]

Originally posted by Nancy
The only con I have is the hours...they are very restricted here and with my work schedule since January I have hardly been able to get in at all.

That's my problem too. I plan on calling them to see if they will let me out of my contract. My work schedule doesn't allow me to get there all day. I used to go in the evening, but can't now. Dh took on more responsibility at work and gets home at 7 most nights now. I can't get there in time.

 

[DebbieB]

Is anyone having a problem with wait times at Curves? When I first joined when it opened last July, there were only 8 machines and was very rarely crowded. It has really caught on, I heard this location now has 900 members. Now they are up to 13 machines and there can be 10 people waiting for a opening, especially on Mondays! I'm lucky, I can get there before 5:30pm, I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes, maybe 4 or 5 women ahead of me. But the line gets deep when it gets close to 6:00pm. They have extended hours to from 6:30 am to 8:00pm, when it first opened it was 3 hours in the morning and 4 in the late afternoon. I enjoy going but it really hasn't done much for me because I am having problems watching my diet.

 

[Joyciemc]

Just adding my question, instead of starting a new thread. There is a Curves about a 2 minute walk from my apartment. I'm really excited about starting an excersize program, and meeting people would be nice (it's hard living in an enormous city and only having 1 friend!). I think Curves would be a good choice, but I don't really know wanything about it. Is it a class-based program, or are you working out on your own? Also, can you go as often as you like, or just the 3 days a week? What is the typical cost (since it seems to vary from location to location)?

Sorry for the questions- the Curves website wasn't very helpful and I can't get any info until tomorrow.. this way I feel like I'm doing something NOW.

 

[KimRaye]

I won't be much help but, you wanted something NOW so, here's what I can tell you.......I wouldn't call it class-based but, group-based but, the group varies depending on who gets in/comes in and, who leaves whenever they start/stop. You are working out on your own, on each machine but, someone is there to guide you initially. The only one(s) you're gonna get close with, is the person(s) next to you, IF you choose. I heard they 'recommend' 3 days a week, I don't know what happens if you go more often but, I've heard people DO go more often. I can't remember what my SIL told me she pays but, I want to say it's somewhere in the $50-$60/month range. Sorry. Just trying to help NOW!

 

[Joyciemc]

Thanks for your reply... I firmly believe that IMpatience is a virtue !

I'm definitely going to do some research tomorrow, but you helped me have at least some idea of what it was about... it would be a convenient place for me to work out, if it's the kind of program I'm looking for (just not sure what I AM looking for yet!)

Thanks again!

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by Joyciemc
I firmly believe that IMpatience is a virtue !

That is SOOOOO ME, too!!!!!!!

What I might ask, if I were to consider joining is, can you go more than 3 times a week and, can you stay longer than 30 mins (2 times around)???? Might be helpful if/when the quick workout isn't enough.

Onward and Downward!!!!

 

[phorsenuf]

I belonged to curves last year. The thing I liked about it is I was there because I was paying for it. Easy to slip when doing something at home. I never lost or had any changes in the few months I was there though.

Then on a regular checkup at my rhuemotlogist(?) she didn't advise me going to curves (although she was glad I was doing something). For my self she said it was too strenuous on my joints. (I have fibromyalgia and they are watching for lupus).
So I would suggest that if you have a condition as such to check. My Dr. always said exercise was good for my condition, but not the kind I was doing

Anyways, just my 2 cents worth.

I did like it though........

 

[Lynda Silk]

I hope no one minds but I am going to use this thread as well (instead of starting a new one) to ask a question. I started with Curves 2 weeks ago and I've only lost 1 lb! I'm 5' 2 1/2" and 141 lbs. I've been going 4 or 5 times a week. I know that it's only been 2 weeks, and that some of weight is due to fat converting to muscle but I thought I would have lost more than 1 lb! In the past, I usually have been able to lose 4-5 lbs fairly easily. I have been watching my diet and I've tried to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. Is it usual to lose weight so slowly?

I know too that I've probably lost inches but to be honest, I don't see a lot of change in my figure. I still have 16 workouts before they measure me again.

I feel so unattractive and fat! I bought a dress from the Disney Store and when I tried it on, all I could see was my tummy sticking out and my hips looked like they were 1 mile wide! I'm 46 years old now and nothing seems to fit!

I know I'm being very impatient but I wanted to ask if my experience was normal and that I should see more significant results later.