Curves for Women

[ljones]

There are no clinical studies, i.e. research based information with controls, and groups getting different amounts of exercise in a Curves-like facility that proves that it works. Just because something is popular does not mean that it is effective. The key to weight training as another poster mentioned, is slow, controlled movements. Check out high intesity weight training if you want a 30 minute workout. Hydraulics are not the same as weights. I would certainly ask for information regarding research based effectiveness before I let someone with little or no knowledge of exercise physiology, bio-mechanics, education on correct form in performing each exercise, I give someone my hard earned money.

 

[DebbieB]

At my Curves, it's $29 per month if you sign a year contract. They take it directly out of your bank account. If you want to go month to month, it's $39 per month. My location does allow you to do a trial workout before you signup. When I joined, the signup fee was 1/2 off. Each location is individually owned, so they can do their own offers. Mine had a free signup on their 1 year anniversary date.

 

[CarolMN]

There are no clinical studies, i.e. research based information with controls, and groups getting different amounts of exercise in a Curves-like facility that proves that it works. Just because something is popular does not mean that it is effective. The key to weight training as another poster mentioned, is slow, controlled movements. Check out high intesity weight training if you want a 30 minute workout. Hydraulics are not the same as weights. I would certainly ask for information regarding research based effectiveness before I let someone with little or no knowledge of exercise physiology, bio-mechanics, education on correct form in performing each exercise, I give someone my hard earned money.

That may be true. However, it works for me. I'm not training for the Olympics or a marathon. I just need to make exercise a regular part of my life. For me, Curves is an easy way to do that - I enjoy going and I love that it takes only 30 -35 minutes each time.

Thanks to Curves (and a better diet), I was able to lose 25 pounds and more than 18 inches. Diets never worked for me before Curves. I am toned. My blood sugars (I'm diabetic) and cholesterol levels have never been better.

Curves may not be for everyone, and maybe all owners are the greatest, but it sure has been good for me.

Best wishes -

 

[ajksmom]

For those interested in checking out what Curves is all about...

If you know someone who sells AVON you may want to check into a deal currently offered through their catalog. With any $10 "Beauty" or "Wellness" purchase you get a free 2 week guest pass to Curves.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

There are no clinical studies, i.e. research based information with controls, and groups getting different amounts of exercise in a Curves-like facility that proves that it works. Just because something is popular does not mean that it is effective. The key to weight training as another poster mentioned, is slow, controlled movements. Check out high intesity weight training if you want a 30 minute workout. Hydraulics are not the same as weights. I would certainly ask for information regarding research based effectiveness before I let someone with little or no knowledge of exercise physiology, bio-mechanics, education on correct form in performing each exercise, I give someone my hard earned money.

Are there any studies that prove it DOESN"T work??

Curves was targeted to a group of women who were uncomfortable going to traditional exercise facilities, who may not be accustomed to regular exercise, and who needed to make some serious lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly. In that they have succeeded. Many thousands of women including me have made positive lifestyle changes thanks to Curves.

 

[DebbieB]

Regarding the question of does it work, you still have to diet if you expect to lose weight. You can't expect to just go to Curves and lose alot. I've actually gained weight because I don't watch my diet but still enjoy going to Curves (1 1/2 years). I sit at a desk all day and it gives me some exercise, especially in the winter.

 

[ljones]

All I meant was that advice on exercise should be taken from someone who has an education/training in the area. Curves franchises are springing up everywhere, and their message may be being spread by uneducated workers. However, to paraphrase previous posts, any exercise program is better than none, diet and exercise are the only combination that works (lifestyle change), and enjoyment will make you go more often to exercise.

I didn't mean to slam Curves, it's just that when I visited a location, my questions could not be answered about the machines,facilities,the workout or the effectiveness.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just my $0.02.

You're entitled.

An interesting side note. The owner of Curves International, Gary Heaven (?sp) lost his mother in her 40's to the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle. He dedicated his fitness career to helping women avoid ending up the way his mother did. That is how he developed Curves after years of success with his programs.

Like with many franchises, Gary is really the "brains" of the operation. People who work at Curves are trained to operate "his" way, not give their own take on things. Sure, it's helpful for Curves workers to have fitness training, but really, as a franchise, they're simply following the way they've been taught - to give consistency to the product. Sort of like McDonald's. (Maybe that's a bad analogy). So unlike some gyms, you're not going to get a lot of "individuality" which is in some ways the beauty of it: everyone does the same thing.

Now I'm not a fitness expert but but Gary claims that when you begin to lose effectiveness of the Curves workout, you should work the hydraulics faster and harder. And the purpose of the cardio stations is simply to keep your heartrate up between the hydraulic portion of the workout. They arrange the hydraulics so you work different muscle groups as you go along and give the others time to rest.

Also, I don't know if they do this at all Curves, but at my Curves, they have a videotape of Gary taking you through the whole workout that plays continuously. So watching that video is probably the most effective way to use the workout the way it was intended.

I'm not saying any of this to try to sway anyone else's opinion or force Curves on anyone, etc... I just hear so much about Curves that people don't seem to understand that I thought maybe this would help clarify it. I also find it a really interesting success story since Gary was broke for most of his life and risked everything he had in launching Curves. Call me gullible but I read his book and I believe the tragedy of losing his mother is what drove him to help so many others improve their lives. Pretty cool.

 

[kfeuer]

At my Curves, it's $29 per month if you sign a year contract. They take it directly out of your bank account. If you want to go month to month, it's $39 per month. My location does allow you to do a trial workout before you signup. When I joined, the signup fee was 1/2 off. Each location is individually owned, so they can do their own offers. Mine had a free signup on their 1 year anniversary date.

Not trying to knock Curves for anyone who enjoys it, but that seems very expensive for what you get. I pay $39/mth for Gold's Gym and I feel like I get alot more for my money then Curves could offer (treadmills, ellipticals, huge assortment of weight machines, lots of different classes, free childcare).

 

[colleen costello]

My sister goes and it has helped her diabetes, however, she has had an odd opinion of them. It seems her Curves is a "Christian" one and plays religious muzak. They also have religious posters and info all over. This bugs her and has turned her off to the place- -she feels like the franchise is preaching/soliciting for their religion. Can anyone here tell me if this is part of the business or just unique to her local franchise? Thanks.

 

[Cora]

If you get injured, you are not using the machines correctly.

Wow, what a sweeping generalization. The people I know that have gone to Curves were specifically told, by both their doctor and their PT, that although they were using the machines correctly, the repetitive motion and speed was what caused their injuries. The majority of injuries are those of the lower and upper back.

That being said, ANY type of exercise is better than no exercise and I commend anyone that starts and exercise program. Good for you...just be careful and listen to your body.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My sister goes and it has helped her diabetes, however, she has had an odd opinion of them. It seems her Curves is a "Christian" one and plays religious muzak. They also have religious posters and info all over. This bugs her and has turned her off to the place- -she feels like the franchise is preaching/soliciting for their religion. Can anyone here tell me if this is part of the business or just unique to her local franchise? Thanks.

Um, that would definitely turn me off. I've never heard of that before. Curves owners can decorate however they like, though. Mine is beautiful but I've been to others that are just ok. How upbeat is that music, BTW???

Glad your sister has had good results with her diabetes. Exercise is one of the best things she can do so I applaud her for making the effort. I am insulin resistant and had gestational diabetes so that is one of the major reasons I knew I had to start a regular exercise program.

I forgot to say my primary doctor is a Curves member also. We talk about it all the time and she obviously thinks highly of the program.

My sister blew out her knee too on one of the machines at Curves. She is a total space cadet and admits she wasn't paying attention to what she was doing on the machine. She feels badly about it because she really liked it and had begun to really tone her body.

I think people can get hurt with any type of exercise. I'm sure PTs and MDs see a lot of injuries from Curves members in part because there ARE so many Curves members! I'd be curious to know how many injuries they see from YMCA members, how membership figures compare between these two large organizations and what how the injury rate correlates to each.

 

[DebbieB]

Mine does throw in some upbeat religious music occasionally. No posters though. I never really noticed it until my hairdresser mentioned it. It's very upbeat and if you don't listen to the words you would miss it. They are not traditional songs, nothing like "Amazing Grace". One has words like "my redeemer". Each location is individually owned and the owner can run it as they like. A coworker called the main office last year because our location was very popular and there were sometimes 20 minute waits to get started. My coworker didn't think they should continue signing up new members until they expanded the space. The main office said each location was individually owned and they couldn't do anything about it. They did expand the space (it's a new shopping center and the space next door was vacant), doubling the machines and there hasn't been a wait time since. They now have 21 machines, which means once around plus 3 extra of your choice.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

I was going to curves for a while, lost 2 dress sizes, plateoud (Sp?) after 5 mos and now I'm in physcial therapy for a 2 rotator cuff injuries. I joined a regualar gymn for less than the price of curves and have lost more weight.

If you can join a real gym, I suggest that instead. The machines at curves are not adjustable and everyone is a different size and you can really do some damage. They are not professonal trainers and you'd be better off jumping in a staintionary bike for 20 min than doing a curves workout.

 

[swilphil]

My sister goes and it has helped her diabetes, however, she has had an odd opinion of them. It seems her Curves is a "Christian" one and plays religious muzak. They also have religious posters and info all over. This bugs her and has turned her off to the place- -she feels like the franchise is preaching/soliciting for their religion. Can anyone here tell me if this is part of the business or just unique to her local franchise? Thanks.

The owner of the national Curves chain gives a large amount of money to Pro-Life political groups. In our area the local owner also is very active in Pro-Life politics. I'm not sure if the franchises are only sold to people with that view, but in our area it seems to be the case. I have heard of people who are pro-choice belonging to Curves, but giving a little extra of their own money to pro-choice causes in order to offset what they are contributing to Curves.

I personally like going to the YMCA. They have several classes and machines, so when my body gets used to one kind of workout I can challenge myself through something else.

 

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

I believe the special going on right now is that Curves is waving half of the joining fee and it said something about a free curves book. My mom LOVES curves.....it is the one gym membership she has ever actually used. I still currently belong to another gym but that membership expires soon and I plan to check into curves!