curves workout

Just starting on adding exercise.  What is your opinion of the curves workout circuit?  I was thinking of a lunch hour workout daily when I am back to full time. they have a special till 12/31/12 for $49 sign up and one month of classes.  I think it is cheaper after the first month.

I think it's okay to start with, but after a few months of it, you'll either be bored or you will stop making fitness progress because the nature of the machines and the workout limits how much resistance you can generate. So don't sign a long term contract!

Also, every Curves seems to have a culture so make sure you pick one that you feel comfortable with. For example, if you go to a place full of SAHMs and you are a single career girl, you may feel like an alien there. Curves is way more social than your typical gym because the machines are in a circle and people talk to each other as they go through the ciruit, so it matters more.

Finally, if you are someone who factors politics into your buying decisions, Curves is owned by a conservative Christian who gives a lot to extreme anti-choice group such as Operation Save America (the successor to Operation Rescue).

I will check on the contract thing.  Thanks for the reply.  I am not particularly political so the Corporate ownership does not concern me.  I think they are owner/operator franchises. 

I like the social idea, maybe I will connect with someone to inspire me to go daily.  Married with teens and full time job so I would be kind of jealous of SAHMs

My main concern is the time.  A 30 minute whole body cardio and weight workout sound like I could fit it into lunch hour easily.  It is just down the street from work according to the address I looked up.  I did view some of their online info after I posted.  Even if I out fitness it (not sure how to say that lol)  It would still be good cardio for the winter when I don't walk.  I hate being cold!!  I am in Northern Michigan so it is already cold to me in October.

Hi Candy!  Where in Northern MI are you?  I'm from Traverse City, but currently in Brighton.  

I live between Kalkaska and Rapid City by rapid river but work in TC.

I did Curves for several years before surgery and probably a year after.  My knee got bad and I was way limited in what I could do, then had knee replacement.  by then, my Curves had closed.  The advantages for me were that is was on my way to work so it was easy to fit in my routine.  I was done and out in 40 min even with stretching.  I could control the resistance by how hard I worked but that means that you can also loaf and not get much done.  I like the social aspect.  We got to know each other and enjoyed each other for the most part.  What I didn't like is that they have pretty limited hours or most around here do.  When I changed my schedule, it was harder for me to get there when it was open.  You do have to really work at it for it to work for you.  I know that sounds simple but it means really pushing yourself once you get to a certain level of fitness.  I also liked that my Curves had Zumba and that was great for getting my heart rate up and fun to boot.  I think mine was $29 a month but that was a few years ago.

"What I didn't like is that they have pretty limited hours or most around here do. "

Mine too! I think it's part of the business model. They only are open for the peak hours. It was designed that way so SAHMs could have a part-time job and bring in some income but still be home when their kids were out of school.

But it also makes sense because a lot of gyms are open all day and have hours where they are kind of dead. But they still have to pay staff. Curve's business model is more efficient in that area. But then again 24 Fitness has a business model of "you can go whenever you like" and that works for them too. 

The website for my local curves advertised with Zumba so I will see when they offer that, sounds like fun.    Thanks for the input.  I think I will give it a trial.  They give a week free trial according to the corporate website.  This is their hours, kind of strange but it will work.

Monday, Wed and Friday 7:30 am- 7pm

Tuesday and Thursday 7:30am - 6pm Closed 1-3pm

open Saturday 9am - 12

Mine was open from 6am to 1, then closed until 4p to 7p.  That was fine except I had a client until 1 and would have love to go on the way home.  But if I waited, I didn't want to get out again.  Give it a try, moving is better than not moving.  Part of being consistantly active is finding something you want to do, not just something you need to do.

I know nothing of curves but I do love Zumba!  I take it at the Y in my community.

There was a learning curve with the Zumba but worth it.  

Goodluck!