Question:
Has anyone gone to Curves post op, how did you start out?

I am 8 weeks post op and joining Curves, I've never been there and am wondering how they start you out so you don't hurt yourself. I still get tender when I stretch or bend too much and am wondering what I can do when I begin there.    — Linda C. (posted on October 13, 2002)

October 13, 2002
I looked into joing Curves by where I live. It seemed like the charged quite abit to get you going, made you sign a contract and pay a monthly fee. I was not real impressed with what they were offering. However I heard about a Fitness Center at the local College and that they offered a basic fitness class that was self paced and had trainers to help. The class cost me $48.00 for the whole semester and they have really nice equipment. I am 7 weeks post op and have been going since about 3 weeks post-op. I love it... Just a suggestion to see if maybe your local college offers something similar!
   — jessmessen

October 13, 2002
Linda-I was quite athletic growing up and now, just don't seem to have the time. When you do a search in the library section here about "curves", you will find alot of post ops RAVING about this place. In NYC, it is $67/mo w/ contract and $71/mo w/out...I am doing it b/c (1) how hard is it to commit yuourself to 1/2 hour per day (2) if the women on here who have had the same weight struggle issues that I have had can do it and also LOVE it, they must be doing something right...They are all about toning. Go to www.curvesforwomen.com, call a location and go in and do a free trial...I am waiting for my dtr to clear me this week (I am 2 mos out Open RNY) and then joining...Can't wait. Good luck!
   — heathercross

October 13, 2002
Don't overlook the Y, either. The price is reasonable and there are a lot of free fitness classes. I love it. They also have trainers to get you started (for free) and set you up with a program. You can also pay for a personal trainer if you want one-on-one attention. The prices for those are reasonable also. Another good thing is that the people at the Y are there to exercise, not prance around in thongs. I feel totally comfortable exercising and being naked in the locker room and I'm 210lbs. I highly recommend it!
   — Angie M.

October 13, 2002
I've been going to curves for over a year. They are always running promotions to sign up for free. It costs $29 per month which i think is very reasonable. It is a great program. I only missed 2 months of exercising. You usually do 3 rounds, I started out doing about 1 1/2, then I moved up to 2. I now do 3 fine. They measure you every month and I enjoy it. That's just my 2 cents worth. Open RNY 5-2-02 -89 1/2 pounds
   — candymom64

October 13, 2002
I love Curves! In Michigan it's $29 a month and they were just running a special where you could sign up with a friend and each only pay $37 to sign up. You can go one round to begin with and work yourself up to 2.5 or 3 rounds. You'll know when you start how much each machine pulls in the abdominal area.....so just take it easy on those machines. And the nice thing about the machines is that you don't have to adjust them for your size or weights/resistance. The faster you use them, the more resistance and heavier it is. So just be sure to start out slow, let your instructor know you've had major abdominal surgery and that you want to either take it very easy on the ab machines or possibly skip them entirely to begin with. Good Luck!
   — Lynette B.

October 13, 2002
I joined my local Curves for Women, with my PCP's blessing, at about 8 weeks post-op. However, I was a bit too enthusiastic and found my midriff (abs) becoming quite painful. So, I laid off the workouts for about 2 weeks, then went back when I was about 12 weeks post-op. This time, I am taking it more slowly. If my abs start to become tender, I either slow down the reps on the machines that work my abs, or I skip that machine for one or two of the circuits on each workout. <BR> I am now 16 weeks post op, over 65 pounds are gone forever. Where Curves really has helped is in my clothes size. At 305 pounds (give or take a couple of pounds) pre-op, I wore a size 32 pants and a 54/4X top. Yesterday, I bought a beautiful suit (on sale, of course!) in a size 20. <BR> For me, Curves is the best thing since sliced bread. Yikes!! Too many carbs! Maybe I should say Curves is the best thing since LIQUID PROTEIN!?!?<BR>
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 13, 2002
I joined Curves around 2 months post op...I love it...I started slowly, as I know what I am capable of. I stayed away from the ab machine til a few weeks ago...and now I still use it very carefully. It's only $29 a month here, no contract required...there was a initial fee to join, but it wasn't that big of a deal. I've been going a month and I get my measurements and weight done on my next visit..we'll see how it has worked so far...but I highly recommend it....
   — Sandra T.

October 14, 2002
I joined on 9/27/02 with my surgeons blessings (Open Rny 8/6/02) I haven't had any problems, I did start out slow, you control the pace and the resistance on the machines. I go every morning before work and also Saturday mornings. Make sure when you join you ask them to show you the proper posture and such for each machine so you get the best results. Another reason I really like curves is because you feel less self-conscience when it is only women. I myself do not like the other "clubs" because they mostly attract the already fit people whereas Curves has a large variety of fitness levels. Good luck on your new adventure!!
   — Dana B.