Curves

Is anyone a past or present member? What do you think? What is the approx. cost? There is one very conveniently located across the street from where I work. I'm looking for a gym that I will want to go to. My old gym membership paid off because I used to have to drive past it to get home, and I'd feel guilty if I didn't stop in for a workout on the way. Weight loss has slowed slightly, so I know it's time for working out. Walking isn't enough anymore.

I'm a member of Curves.  I go 4x a week and get a pretty efficient workout.  They're adding computer monitoring of vitals so you can make sure you're working hard enough.  It's $40/month. Edie

I use to belong but stopped going a few years ago. I decided this morning that I was going to sign up again. I got a note from them yesterday telling me I did not have to pay a resign fee. It is very close to home so I can actually go home after work, change my clothes and go up the road and be there in about 5 minutes. I don't know the cost of signing up though.

Thank you Edie and Gail! I found a coupon on their website last night for 1/2 off the joining fee. I'm definitely going to go and look into it. The price is better than other gyms, and the location is perfect for me.

I am a past member of Curves, Kathy.  I think it's a great program but I only stayed with them for a few years.  After a few years, I noticed my body adapted to the routine of the machines, even though the staff changes the layout of the circuit every few months.  I think experiences are different at every Curves.  When I traveled back to my hometown, the Curves atmosphere was completely different - the layout was different, there was a more "intense workout" vibe, and it was friendlier at times.  I used to be a 6:00am workout person - I was there as soon as the doors opened to get in and wake up for the day.  I think you will have great success there if you are tired of machines and cardio found in regular gyms.  However, I did miss the cardio aspect (I love the eliptical!!) when I was at Curves.  I believe I paid about $30/month for a student membership (I was in college at the time).  Not sure if they are still available, but I participated in a program called "The 6 Week Weight Loss Challenge" and I lost about 15 lbs in that timeframe.  It was a modified diet, similiar to South Beach.  Cutting out a lot of sugar, carbs, etc, and they gave you some great vitamins and workbooks to keep you on track. If you are tired of regular gyms and having to adjust machines all of the time, Curves will be great for you!

Keep in mind, this is just my experience.  I am sure others, especially those at other Curves locations, have had great results.  I belonged to a Curves for a year.  It was pre-surgery and worked for 6 months.  Nothing I did after that, including their diet and intensifying the workouts helped me lose any additional weight over the 19 pounds I lost. It is great comradery, but the Curves I attended in Whiteford had a membership of ladies mostly in their late 50s and above.  At 44, I couldn't relate.  After a year, I resigned and joined a regular full-service co-ed gym.

I am getting ready to turn 55 and I need to have the weight resistance training for my bones. It also works at toning some muscle. I am not really interested in Curves for weight loss but for the circuit training. I can do other aerobic exercises to help with weight loss that I do not have to join a gym to do.

I will say that several people in the lap band forum have talked about outgrowing Curves, and I can see the potential for that happening.  One of my sisters had to find something more challenging after going faithfully for a couple of years. I think Curves is a good entree into exercise if you haven't done it in awhile.  It's easy to follow the routine and it's a safe environment if you're uncomfortable with a co-ed gym.  I actually was part of a study at Curves before my surgery, so I got free membership for a couple of months.  That's how I ended up joining.  I expect I'll go for a year or two, then find something more challenging.

Kathy-       I did Contours express. Pretty much the same, just a different name. I chose not to do curves, because of the thought of losing the ability to burn the cal after a period of time. Also I am lazy- and at Curves you only get out of it what you put in, ie- resitance training. At Contours, they had weighted equipment, but it was still a circuit. I loved it, but it was too inconvienent to get there. SO I joined Bally's about 2 yrs. ago.  It is co-ed, but I havn't had any issues. There are several of them around, and I can go to any of them. It just depends on where I am at. Also my kids can go swimming on the weekends, and they have kids clubs.  All this to say- go where you are actually going to GO! If it is convienent, then I say go for it. If your body gets used to it, then add more or switch gyms, but something is better than nothing.  Me I am working out- BUT I am still waiting for my magic exercise fairy! I keep hoping one day I will LOVE it like I used to.

Hi Kathy, I have had a similar experience to others who have posted.  Curves was a great way for me to begin a regular exercise routine.  I quickly outgrew the routine though and wanted more strenuous cardio exercise.  Also, their hours just didn't work for my schedule.  One thing I loved about my curves was that they knew my name and got to know me.  Also they had a twice a month "bootcamp" which was a good vamped up workout for those who felt the regular sessions were just not enough.  I now work out 3-4x a week and typically do 30-45 min of cardio and then 20-30 min of strength training.  Curves is a great place for beginners.  Some people I know loved it and they look really toned and fit.  But I also know that they have other sources of exercise throughout the week.   Stay active!  Hugs, Robin