Curves - What's Your Opinion?

If you are or have been a member of Curves, tell me what you think about it. It sounds too good to be true.

The main thing I didn't like was that annoying BEEP that means you're supposed to switch.  By the time I got situated right on the doggoned machine, it was pert.near time to move on to the next.  The ladies there when I was were impatient & rude. 

So instead of a nice workout, I always felt rushed & pushed...     One lady even started to step up on that little walk-in-place-platform-deal that I was on and said "move to the next".  Imagine the lovely thoughts that went thru my mind.     Forgive me Lord.  

That's a pet peeve of mine...this is MY space - that ova there is YOURS.  I'm MUCH happier in the BIG pool doing my water aerobics - if someone gets too close I can just kick them...((on accident of course)).

Just my 2 cents worth.....

OMG!  I cannot stand when people think it's okay to get in my personal space!  Damn-near on the platform with you!! Just rude!!

I heard that the really busy locations (even certian hours here) were crowded & rushed. I did not experience that, but it would surely bother me too!

i did a gym called Healthy Choices which has the exact same setup and concept as Curves where you work out for so long then switch.

I can honestly say i liked it, i lost like 40lbs when i was working out. Unlike the other person that posted, my gym was never busy so i was able to spend some extra time on the machines. I really focused on Cardio moreso than the machines and of course cardio is not included in the timed workout.

on a scale of 1 to 10 i would give the concept a 7

I just completed 30 days there, 2 weeks ago.  I participated in the Avon Fitness study they host.  It's a great way to sample it before signing on for a 12-month commitment and monthly auto-drafts from a bank account (the only option at the location in my town). 

The Avon study had them baseline weight, measurements and body fat % as measured by their staff & equipment before and after the 30 days.  It required 3 workouts weekly as a minimal commitment, so I figured 12 or more workouts would be a fair sampling of it for under $35 cash (I don't dig sharing out the cc or electronic banking for gym membership).

What I liked:
-The variation of the circuit
- The condensed time line (30 min) it takes to work out all the major muscle groups)
- The nice equipment

What took getting use to:
- The location here is tiny!  I felt like the machines & step platforms were much too close. The circuit was in the space of the great room in my house.
- The "Changes Stations Now" recorded announcement every 30 seconds; as soon as I got into using a piece of equipment, time to move on!

What I didn't like: (mostly local-location level)
-The hours at this franchisees club. They are closed when the timing was best for me, noon-4.
- Women only (I enjoy working out w/Hubby, especially when using weights!); with the understanding that this is a plus to many!
-The lack of variation once the routine if the circuit was done; stretching is all there is after the circuit. On the dirty carpet at this location, which was not for my germaphobic self!
-The lack of a consistent volume for the music; one staffer blasted the music so loud I got a headache!  Heifer gave me attitude when I asked her very nicely to turn it down, telling me how much better it is to be "pumped up by the music".  Not with music I didn't chose and at brain-rattling volume!
-No towels for wiping equipment or handling sweat(BYOT).

My opinion: it's not for me.  I wanted more variety of equipment (elliptical, recumbent bike, free weights, etc).  Some women said they would like to see at leat the addition of a treadmill there (I have one @home).

Hubby & I just last week joined our local city rec center for $85/year for both of us!!!  They happen to have most of the same machine-types, and a whole lot more.  Price cannot be beat and Hubby & I are training together again!  Only drawback to it is lots of teens crowding in there (16+) during summer months.  They provide towels and anti-bac spray w/signs to wipe up after using equipment, (saw everyone using, Yay!) anti-bac gel dispensers, and used towel recepticals in abundance.

Curves is however, just the thing for many, many women, including my neighbor, who has been a member since it opened here 4 years ago.  She has faithfully worked out there 4x weekly and has become stronger and healthier as a result.

Go give it a shot & see what you think. I believe you can try it free for a week, or do the Avon study.

Honestly, I think Curves is a great beginning step but in the long run it was not for me.  I signed up last year before I had surgery, went consistently for a month and then fell off.  What I liked most about it was the fact that it was women only.  I was so self-conscious about my weight, I definitely didn't want to be in a room with any men.  Also, the routine got boring and I didn't like the fact that I couldn't switch up the routine.  At that time the machines were set in an one size fits all mode so therefore I couldn't increase weight intensity & etc.  In other words, since I committed to the contract, I've been paying curves for almost a year for nothing.

After surgery, I did a family membership at the local gym. I went consistently while I was out of work but fell off once I went back to work full-time & part-time.  Now that school is out, I have for the past month been in the gym 4 to 5 times a week.  I love it and there are so many options for my daily workout that I don't have the chance to get bored with the routine.  That's definitely an issue I have, I get bored very quickly.  Another thing I definitely like about the gym is my routine can be customized to the areas I am trying to work the most & I go to the gym with my husband and son.  The fact that my son is standing at the door waiting for me in the afternoons is a definite motivator.  It's hard for me to cop out and say I don't feel like it!

Deb

I work in the Health and Fitness industry - Curves is a niche type club, for a specific type woman.  My observations is that it's a beginner program and club and if you like circuit training with a group atomosphere - it's a GREAT choice.  For those who like more variety and more challenging workouts, a more traditional gym is probably the better choice. 

I would say go and observe on the days/times that you intend to workout, talk to the folk that work there and really see if it's something you think you will DO and STICK to - that's the big thing.  Most clubs offer a trial period, so take advantage of that to see if you really like it.

I was a member and it gets pretty boring after a while and is not very challenging if you're pretty active.  Now if you haven't worked out or been very active in the past, its a good way to get started.  Also when I work out its kind of my meditaton time, I get lost in my own thoughts and Curves and Contours (similar to Curves, but with stack weights) tend to be social hour for most of the ladies.

Thanks everyone for you input. I think I'll pass on the Curves commitment. I hope to find some form of exercise that I will enjoy soon.