hi! Member here for about 3 years on and off! Ill try to sum up my 2 cents quickly! lol
it definitely has its pros and cons like anything else though.
It is a great place to start I lost alot of weight there the first year, after that year I felt I was not getting such a vigoriuos workout as I should have been.
I really loved the staff as well as the members. I have met so many wonderful folks there, that have helped me and become a support type system ( just like WISH). After that year, I decide that rather then spend a years membership at curves, I would use the $ to buy a TM! I did just that I I used my TM (still do). but i really did miss going to the gym. I personally don't like regualr gyms. I tried it felt very intimidated and for many reasons it just wasnt for me (to be fair, perhaps not a fair trial however). I decided after much thought to go back to curves. I loved the small twon type feeling. I see teachers, local cashiers, the back teller etc. there and I really do like knowing so many people. For me, it is not overwehlmeing, I never felt intimidated or uncomfortable, I simply became a part of something that once out of my life, I missed! Those are my personal thoughs but I think alot of people can agree that it is a great place to "START"!
My suggestion would be to "search" this site. There have bee alot of threads written about curves. as a matter of fact I began one called "should I rejoin?"
I had contemplated cause I know it was a good start but wasnt sure I needed a harder workout. I guess I can say that like that famous TV sitcom sounds goes "where everybody knows your name

" brought me back to curves! As far as the workout, I make it vigorious! I work harder on each machine run faster on the running boards and if I am feeling really stron I go around a extra time!
good luck to you! let us know what you decide.
renee