Curves is curcuit training.  That means the machines are in a circle and you spend 30 sec on each, with a recovery board inbetween each 2.  So you go in a circle and work all the machines.  Nice because it moves fast and you work all parts of you body.  Before you know it you have been around 2x and are done but the stretching.  My curves has a stretching machine also that allows you to stretch all muscles without having to get on the floor. 
I do exercises at home for my core and arms along with my cardio at curves.

I have done both curves and gym - BOTH will work for you IF you put in the time and work! I like the suggestion that chose the one that is closest and fits your schedule best. Training with weights actually burns more calories and tones you faster than cardio. Curves is a bit limited in the cardio area - but you can walk anywhere right?

Does your health insurance reimburse any part of your gym/curves membership? Here in MN it is pretty standard for our health plans (BCBS, UHC etc) to reimburse $20 of your gym membership if you work out at least 12 times per month. That can pay for a good portion of ones monthly dues!

I have been working out with a trainer at my gym 3x per week since april 1st - in the first month alone I lost 9 inches - they busted a stall and I am loving it! Just find a routine that works, take advantage of free trial memberships if they offer them so you can get a feel for each place - ASK FOR ONE - in this economy gyms and such are suffering and they are looking for new members - so if they don't offer -ask!

Best wishes on your journey!

Kim

I belonged to Curves for a few years and have found that after surgery I couldn't work hard enough to get my heart rate up.  I also was starting to get bored.  So after looking into joining a gym, my dh and I are going to join an aquatic center which has lap lanes, and a gym.  Do you have anything near that would offer water aerobics.  That is supposed to be especially good for the legs. 

Sue

Curves usually gives a free month trial. It is a circuit workout that works the whole body. The staff shows you how the machines work and are always there to help as you need. I recommend Curves if they have the "smart" program because it actually has the machines tell you to work harder as you get stronger. I found when it only was the machines I got lazy because I felt stupid working harder while others just floated along.

Curves is for all body types and usually have contests and the like to encourage you to work out. It's fun when you need the motivation to help your group win prizes.

I would recommend that if you do sign up for it start with paying by the month, don't get stuck in a contract until you know you will be going for a full year.

I found gyms didn't motivate me enough because I didn't have any interaction with any of the staff.

So per everyone's advice I did a little calling around today..Curves unfortunately moved so its no longer in my town but it is in the town that I have to drive through anyway to get to/from work...So they said they would give me a free two week pass if I wanted to try them out, the gym 1 minute from my house said they would give me a day pass and after that you can pay monthly or even per session for 4$, then the larger gym I haven't called yet but they do have a pool...they even have a system where you swipe your card and it keeps track of all your calories that you burned with all the different equipment and you can look back of a period of time and see how you did..I think that is really cool but I believe it is going to be also very expensive..So im thinking about trying out the curves for at least a week, going to the gym by my house for one day, and seeing if this other gym has a free trial..I figure might as well try them all out and see which one I am most likely to go to..