Curves

[LUVDSNY04]

Hi,
Has anyone here gone to Curves? There is one starting up here and I would like to know more about this gym before I sign up.
Any info would be appreciated.

 

[kerrynic78]

I joined last october and love it! Our Curves, and I think it is the same for all of them, has about 12 machines and in between each machine is a platform. You do 3 rotations where you do a machine for 30 seconds and then get your cardio up on the platform for 30 seconds. The machines all use resistance so you can make it as hard or easy as you would like. Each machine works a different part of the body. I have dropped 2 sizes and go about 4 times a week. It is the first excercise program I have stuck with.

 

[arminnie]

I just love it. I have several friends across the country who go and I have also visited 3-4 when away from home.

My only caution would be that extremely fit young women might not feel that it is enough of a workout, but it is perfect for the rest of us. I used to be very physically active when I was in my 20s and I used to get bored with exercise classes that I thought were not rigorous enough. Boy are those days gone.

I personally like the structure of curves but I like the fact that you can start at what ever time you get there and don't have to work around a pre-set schedule.

Another negative is that many of them close for lunch and may not open real early or stay open late. That can be a problem for working women.

 

[KristiKelly]

I started going in Aug. and could tell that I had more energy, but didn't lose much b/c @ first I had the attitude "Oh, I did Curves - let's go eat some pizza!" Well, in Jan. I started going 3-4 days a week along with doing Weight Watchers, I've lost 7.5 lbs and 7.5 inches. Since Aug. my body fat has gone from 33.1% down to 28.1%. They do not offer childcare, I'm kinda glad about that - this is "my time". Right now, our Curves has 10 machines, I think as more people join, they get more machines. I use to do the Nautilus @ YMCA, I remember men use to come in after playing racquet ball for about an hour, drenching in sweat, then work out on the machines - that was so gross to me. I like the fact that it's all women (real women) none in skimpy, thongy things. Good Luck!

 

[DebbieB]

Mine has 12 machines but it is only 2 rotations. It opened last summer with 8 machines and was 3 rotations then. They then added 2 machines 2 different times, for the current total of 12. With the stretches at the end, it is almost exactly 30 minutes. I agree that it's not a real heavy workout, but it's good for me. I like that it's only 30 seconds per machine, you don't get real tired. Mine is open 7am-noon and 3pm-8pm. When it opened, the hours were shorter and gradually increased.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

My mom and I joined last summer, and I have to say that we do not go She only joined because I did and she will not go by herself. Last summer, I went about 3-4 times a week for about a month. My ankles were so swollen and my shins were in so much pain. I do not know if I was not donig the machines properly, but needless to say I got so frustrated. I would really really like to get back, I have about 5 months left in my membership but I am just nervous about hurting my ankles and legs again

Did anyone ever have this problem when you started out?

 

[KrnB]

We just got a thirteenth machine at the one I go to. We do the cycle twice as well. I haven't really lost any weight, but I dont' go as often as I should. I usually make it twice a week, but that third time gets rough sometime. But in any case, I feel better in general.

I like the atmosphere there - very laid back, with women of all ages, shapes and sizes. I also like the combination of machines and aeorbic exercies. You can work as hard as you want or you can lay back a bit if you're really tired.

 

[Octoberbride03]

A good place to post this would be on the WISH boards. There are a bunch of Dissers there who do Curves and can give their opinions. I personally don not go so i can't answer your question.

 

[my3kids]

I did it for a little while, but it just wasn't enough. It isn't a situation where you can adjust weight as you get stronger, or vary your routine any. I switched to a gym where I could use treadmills, eliptical trainers and a large variety of weight equipment.

But that said, Curves was a good place to start. It was a friendly place with all women. Very non threatening. It might be a good place to join on the 3 month membership to see how you like it. At that point, if it all you want, you could do the year membership. If you think you've "outgrown" it, for lack of a better word, you could try some traditional gyms in your area.

 

[kozmo]

I just joined and i love it ,i go a little faster on the floor pads and work the machines a little hard but i love it ,you are in and out,works great for me!

 

[pjlla]

I've heard nothing but good from friends and family..... I have been dragging my feet about joining because the only time I could go would be mid-late afternoon while DS is in Kindergarten. And even then I could probably only make it two days a week, as I volunteer at the school two days a week and I would need at LEAST one afternoon a week at home to get housework/scrapbooking done. I have a weight machine and treadmill at home, so I should really get on tracking using them. I've been on WW for a year now, have lost 40 pounds, but have lost my motivation recently and have done a bit of backsliding and it is scaring me..... I need something to keep me going. Maybe I should break down and call Curves!.................P

 

[bjgrazi]

I love curves and so does my daughter who is 15. She goes just to stay active in the winter. She does not need curves. My friends got me into it and I'm so glad they did.

 

[amid chaos]

I lost 30 inches going to Curves. I also run several times a week. the combination is great for me.

 

[Robmom]

I have one of these places in my area, but I never went in. From what I can tell, you sit in a circle with the different machines, is that right? I feel funny working out so closely with other people.

 

[cheeringmom]

Can you get a free first time tryout? Plus can you do month to month membership? I can't find a link to the site. I keep getting "win a free curves membership" etc.

 

[caitycaity]

yep and i really like it. at my gym people go at all paces. the minimum is 2x around but some people do more and everyone works out to whatever their level is on the machines and pads. there are some very fot women at ours who sem to get a good workout for them, they just work a little harder/differently on the pads/machines.

dvcfamily, i did have that problem when i first started and one of my friends suggested to me that i was not doing the stretches adequately. i hold each stretch for 15 seconds now (like you are supposed to - i was skimping) and i haven't had any problems.

 

[mudnuri]

Since I'm a trainer at my local curves, I'll answer some of your questions.

1st- you should NEVER be going around 3 times with 12 machines...it would take 36 minutes, WITHOUT stretching...9 machines is the limit for 3 times around, any more than that and you go twice.

2nd- yes it's a circle- or oval depending on space. You really can either talk to the other ladies, or ignore them, we have both.

3rd- I am very fit, I have 21% body fat (all of it in my belly)....and can get one heck of a workout at curves! Anyone who says you can't isnt giving 100% on the machines. My brother in law owns a Gold's Gym and I use to work out there, however the 1/2 hour in your out is the best! I NEVER have to wait for a machine, where at golds you do...

4th- yes, you can pay monthly or have it withdrawn automatically, it is usually a MUCH better deal to do the draft...also- either way you sign a contract for a year.

5th- yes, you can come in, do the initial "interview" and then come in the next day or whatever for a trial...we do have some with free week passes...these were given out before we opened.

any more questions just ask

also- you may not lose a lot of weight, what you'll be losing is inches, I weigh more than when I started, which I knew, muscle weighs more than fat. 1lb fat is equal to 1.5lbs muscle...but my 8's are too baggy, I'm going to get 6's this weekend!

Brandy

 

[caitycaity]

1st- you should NEVER be going around 3 times with 12 machines...it would take 36 minutes, WITHOUT stretching...9 machines is the limit for 3 times around, any more than that and you go twice.

if the people at the curves are ok with it though and it isn't busy, i don't see what the big deal is. they let us do it at our curves.

 

[snoopy]

I always go 3 times around at my Curves too. Why is that bad? I stretch before and after, and I have never had any problems with it.

 

[KrnB]

I guess I'm a bit surprised about 3x around being "bad" too. I know they want you to go at least 30 minutes, but if you want to do more, I don't see why you can't. Just like you can go more than three times a week if you'd like. (I agree that you don't want to go every day because your body does need a break.)