Ladies who use Curves... question...

[DMickey28]

Hi,

i am going to post this on the community board too incase it gets more traffic!!

I walked into curves today and my first thought was those women look funny bouncing all around on those pads.

I won't work out at home unless I am alone. Did you feel silly bouncing around on the pads in between the machines?
How do you get over that?

Thanks,

Christina

 

[JESW]

Naw, I don't feel funny bouncing on those pads! You do get used to it as everyone else is in the same boat. I like Curves but I know others who tried it and did not like it. Give it a try and see if it's for you.

Good luck!

Jill

 

[arminnie]

There is no reason for you to be "bouncing" on those pads - you only need to keep moving a little - it can even be back and forth with slow steps - this part on the pads is called recovery and it not meant to be a big aerobics workout in itself.

Believe me I've been to several curves in different states while I was traveling and there are always women of ALL sizes, shapes, ages, and fitness levels. It's a very supportive atmosphere.

Curves is the type of place where someone could be old and fat and the only judgement made is that you are smart enough to come in and do something. The big emphasis is not on losing weight but on becoming fit.

If someone chooses to lose weight they will be supportive but no one is going to shame someone into it. The weigh in and measuring are totally optional.

 

[KristiKelly]

Hi DMickey28, I did feel really silly the 1st time I went to Curves, I went with a friend and we kinda laughed, but as you get used to the atmosphere it gets better. I started out by just sort of walking in place, now if I'm feeling really ambitious I'll increase to a jog in place, but I don't jump around. I have seen some that I thought were just going to bounce off dancing and everything. I'm a little too shy for that. I've also seen some bounce so much that I thought their boobs were going to knock them out looked something like these bouncy things

 

[TigerBear]

It sounds like you are going to need a good sports bra.

 

[snoopy]

LOL! I'm a bouncer and a dancer. I go to a great Curves, we have so much fun and can be so silly together. And they play upbeat music that makes me get my groove on. I probably look stupid, but I could care less! No one seems to mind, in fact, it seems like when I start, other people do too!

 

[Tulirose]

I am curious about Curves.

For the last year I have been going to Jazzercise.

I loved it.

However, had to stop for a few reasons. Hope to start up again come warmer weather. But this Curves thing intrigues me.

Can someone tell me more?

 

[hollydaze71]

I just started at Curves. I have been a total of two times. I love it. It is easy (in other words - it takes no thought on my part) and it is quick. The room is set up in a circle with resistance machines (Like weight machines without the weights). There are probably ten machines and between each machine is a step pad for walking in place. You only do thirty seconds at each station. That sounds like it is way too easy - but since you are moving the whole time your heart rate is up the entire time.

I like that you keep moving from place to place. I hate trying to ride a bike, or walk on a treadmill for thirty minutes at one time. My body hurts and I give up because I spend the whole time watching the clock.
I do not do that at curves.
I think it is fun. I can do this.

It is worth the trip in - no pressure - no perfect bodies looking like they just stepped out of Playboy to make you self - concious. Just other women like me.
H

 

[minniecarousel]

We take our pulse every 10 minutes & what your pulse rate is at is what determines how you use the recovery mat. If your pulse rate is higher than the target heart-rate (they have a chart showing what it should be for your age), you can just walk in place at the mat. You should be working pretty hard on the machines & if your heart rate is too low, you can dance or jog in place on the mats, to raise it to the optimum heart rate.

Sure, the first few times I did the work-out I was a little self-conscious, but I got over it!

 

[DebbieB]

I pretty much just walk fast in place, I've never felt self concious. We have very few "beauty queens". What is funny is some of the moves other women make on the pads. We have one who pretends she it hitting a punching bag like Rocky. Another kicks her knees up to her elbows. I save my energy for the machines....

 

[Princess_Aurora]

I have a question for you ladies...do you find it better to be at Curves with just other women or to go to another kind of gym with all kinds of people there? I'm looking to join another gym. I just got out of my Bally's contract. After I moved up here and saw the Bally's here I never went again because I didn't like it. Now I'm looking at either Curves or 24-hour Fitness. I like the idea of 24-Hour Fitness because they have the hot tub like my old Bally's use to have and I loved getting in it after a long workout. Curves doesn't have that option though, but there aren't any muscular people there that make you feel so inferior either. I was just wondering...

 

[minniecarousel]

ugh! - in my current state of physical shape - no way could I go to a co-ed gym, or even a Linda Evans-type place. I'm waaaay too self-consious about how I look. Maybe, someday....

 

[hollydaze71]

I agree. I do not consider myself that out of shape, but then when i go to a gym I feel like a freak. I looked around yesterday at Curves and most of the women there looked like me or were in worse shape. I am about a size 16 if that give you an idea. And I have to remind myself that we are all in the same boat - need better health, unhappy with something about our bodies etc. But it is harder to think that when I am working out next to the Beauty Queen who has never been more than a size 6 - and when pregnant went back to her regular jeans the week after the baby came. I have no desire to watch her parade around in her tank top and tight pants while she talks to every guy in the place. I wouldn't even get their attention if I was hit by a truck. It is so discouraging.
I find myself laughing at Curves. They just have fun.
Yesterday we had new music.
And it was so good - and everyone just acted silly, actually twisting to "twist and shout." And then you heard comments like "there is soo much more to twist these days."
Real life - real people.
I think it is fun - more fun with friends.

 

[hockeymom7691]

I belong to "It Figures" which is basically the same as curves except the machines are adjustable and our center has other machines along with the exercise balls, jump ropes, weights, etc.

I still feel a little uncomfortable on the boards. I usually jog in place on them. Once in awhile I get brave enough to pick up some weights and use them at the same time.

No matter how funny I feel, I continue to go and the fact that it's just woman (many different shape/size/age) makes me feel better.

I've seen people just kick out one leg at a time on the boards instead of "bouncing" There are many things to do on them to keep up your heart rate!

 

[mudnuri]

Please dont feel funny about working out in any gym!

I was employed at Curves, and was recently laid off due to the financial situatin of the owner..

I am now back working out at Gold's Gym which my brother in law owns...I also originally thought no way am I working out with the pretty boys and drama queen girls.

I am in no way "out of shape"..I am 5'8 and wear a size 6, thank you dr. atkins....however, I do have a personal trainer at Golds again...

I'm not sure how other gyms are set up, but at Gold's the trainers are there for you to utilize, my BIL has them on the payroll to assist the customers...if anyone has a question they answer it etc.. of course, you are also able to pay for a specific time with a specific trainer etc...

I was at gold's' this morning, and I saw a range from the size 2 college girls, clad basically in NOTHING..to the size 18-20 55-60 year olds, and everything in between.

I liked curves while I was there, however I believe that once your body hits a specific spot, it's going to take more than curves to get over the hump. Even though you can work out harder etc.. it's still a limit to what you can do.

I think it is wonderful for those women who are uncomfortable with their bodies and 'intimidated" for lack of a better word of the more popular gyms.

I say- to HECK with what they think......do your body a favor and work it!

Just please remember, theres NOTHING wrong with asking for help at any facility you go to. There is something wrong with doing an exercise incorrectly...you'll see better results with proper form...ask those questions!

Brandy

 

[KaterBell]

You get used to the recovery boards! I've been going to Curves since January 03... and LOVE it. I usually jog in place, but like most of the other ladies have said, everyone else is doing it too, so you don't feel funny at all!!

Granted, you may try and not like it, but you won't know until you try. Good luck!

 

[kimber79]

I work out at a place called *Better Bodies*. It is circuit training just like Curves. We have 8 machines, 4 boards, and 4 two step steps. I LOVE IT!! I have been there for 6 weeks now, and wish I would have gone there sooner! In my first months measure.......I lost a total of 11 inches!! I just feel so much better when I go and work out..........I try to make it there 4-5 days a week, and when I don't make it there I try to use the videos I have at home ~ Tae Bo, Walk the Walk and Power 90.

Summer is coming........ and I know people will be *seeing less of me* this summer!!!

 

[Princess_Aurora]

Just one more question about Curves...Do you have to sign a long-term contract???

 

[KaterBell]

I had to sign a one year contract with Curves. But for $29 a month, I had nothing to complain about. That's so cheap.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

FYI... If you have a school-age daughter it's quite a relative bargain for the TWO fo you to join Curves. The $75.00 initiation fee covers the BOTH of you. And the monthly goes to $40.00, again for the TWO of you. I've had a couple other people say what a cool mother/daughter activity. We get the 30 minutes together and chat away. It goes really fast. BTW, she's 15 yo.