Contours Express -- Has Anyone Tried It?

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Thought this would be the best place to ask this.

Contours Express recently moved to town. I'm considering it (although I haven't even asked prices yet). But their hours are kind of stinky (for me) 8 AM- 1 PM; 3 PM-8 PM. I'm an early morning person, so I'd have to go in the evening (between 6-8) which is NOT my optimum time. Also they are not open on Sunday.

But according to their flyer, you can lose 2 dress sizes in a month.

Anyone have any experience with this chain?

 

[LisaTx]

I've never heard of it, but I'm glad to bump this post for you.

 

[geetey]

I haven't heard of it either, but I did look at their web site. It looks like it is very similar to Curves.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

I went to Contour website and it seemed more focused on owning a franchise than telling me about it what it involved. I do think it sounds like/looks like Curves & Shapes. So can anyone give me feedback on any of these? Do you really drop 2 dress sizes in 30 days?

 

[Disneyaholic]

I work at Curves; before working there, I exercised there 4 or 5 times per week (the recommendation is 3x per week). I joined in March 2003, about 3 weeks after I started Weight Watchers.

I have had excellent results -- have lost a total of almost 30 pounds and over 20 inches. I think that I lot of this has to do with the fact that I did Curves and WW concurrently. I was pretty much bursting out of size 12s when I started; by the end of 60 (not 30) days of Curves, I was comfortably into size 8 pants, but still wearing a 10 in shirts and dresses, due to my body type.

Do I think it's possible to go down 2 dress sizes in 30 days, yeah, probably. But exercise alone won't do it. It will also require some type of eating plan and LOTS of dedication.

I love Curves, because it is a totally mindless way for me to get/stay in shape.

I would say it's worth giving it a try, since they will probably be making some type of incentive to join.

As far as the hours, that is very similar to what most Curves locations are open.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Thank you. I'd settle for one dress size in 30 days!

I was thinking of going for the "free" workout and then (depending on cost) signing up for a month.

I just wish they had hours that better fit my schedule (I'd love to see 5:30 AM to whenever and up to 9 or 10 at night).

 

[Disneyaholic]

If they offer a decent deal on joining, definitely give it a try!

At Curves, there is a one-time enrollment fee, which makes it difficult to try it for anything longer than a week. (But, it IS a business, so there is a good reason for that, LOL!)

If there is a Curves near you, you might want to check into it, as well. Our location (and I THINK this is a nation-wide promotion) is waiving the enrollment fee next week (week of October 20) if you bring in proof of a mammogram! This is in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

As far as the hours, we have had several members request that we increase our hours as well. But, again, it's a business, and the franchise owner has to make a decision as to whether or not he will gain enough new members to make the extra hours profitable. So far, the only thing we have added is one extra hour on Saturdays, now being open at 8 a.m. instead of 9.

Good luck!

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Ok, I made an appointment to try it out tomorrow. But, they don't have a monthly plan. (I almost backed out because of this). Their annual fee (for 13 months) is $500 -- which I suppose isn't bad, but I don't want to sign up for an annual plan. I want to try this for 4-6 weeks and see if it works and if I like it (just 1 free try out isn't going to cut it). I want to see how I can fit it into my schedule (or not). And financially, I don't have the extra money to throw around. Of course you can pay monthly, but there's still the annual contract. I figure I'll go tomorrow and see what happens. If the owner is smart, she'll be flexible with me because she can either get my $40 a month or she can just let me walk away.

 

[bicker]

Generally, businesses like this aim for annual fees so they can capitalize on the fact that many customers only use the service for a shorter period of time before giving up on it. So in essence, those who end up just trying the service out end up sponsoring those who stick with it.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Well I went this morning and liked it. I can walk to it and home (although the home is a killer -- up hill). It's a small place and there was only one other woman working out there who was older and heavier than I am (which made me feel better -- the last thing I want is to see a place full of skinny people). I did one circuit to see what it was like. The only killer was the bicep one. Guess I don't have any because even on the lowest weight, I could barely lift it.

Supposedly they are "better" than Curves (well, what did you expect them to say? ) because the weight machines are adjustable, so you don't max out (as if I would).

I purposely walked down with nothing other than my coupon so that I wouldn't be pressured into paying now. There was quite a high pitch to buy by the woman who I spoke to (who was very nice, and I realize that she needs to make her money too). I told her I was in a bad financial situation with DH out of work for over 2 years and there was always the possibility if he found work in another area of the country, we would move. So she did give me a 3 month option at $180. Which is obviously more than their yearly option. But I think it would be better for me now. I can try it for 3 months (excluding the one week I would miss due to WDW -- but what a way to miss! ) and then see if I was into it for the long term.

I am planning on going back Monday morning (since I will be working late on Monday) and paying and signing up for the 3 months and doing the rotation 2 times (I'm thinking on Saturdays maybe I could even do it 3 times!). Then I'll probably settle into the night work outs (even though I'm a morning person).

Thanks for all the feedback and help.