Funny you should ask
 

Hi LC'ers...it has been a while.

I went to check out Curves last week. They had a post Xmas 'special'....I think it was $78 join up and then $40-50 per month to join depending how I pay.

I went to check it out. The hours are horrible. The facility was less than inviting. The equipment is sparce and tippy. The women attending were quiet and kept to themselves. I did enjoy getting out and getting moving but it didn't feel like much of a work out. I went for my free week but came a way with only two little words.... BOR ING.

I do know people that have attended Curves in other parts of the area and like it. I don't think that they are losing piles of weight necessarily but they are older and extremely inactive and so I think for them it is better than doing nothing at all.

I believe what someone else said. You will get out of it what you put into it. I tried working the machines faster and tried doing an extra curcuit. It also takes time to get to know the machines. Unfortunatly for me the atmosphere and the hours were so uninviting that I am not interested in pursuing it any further.

I am joing the local gym that is only pennies more a month and has so much more to offer. All the equipment, childcare, steam room, classes, personal trainers etc.

I would love to know if anyone who knows anyone who has actually lost the inches with curves alone. Most people that I know of either do curves and something else for activity if they are losing or else they are not losing but are enjoying the activity.

Have a good one!

Liz

Well Liz, I don't believe that Curves is for everyone. It stands to reason that if a person has been doing nothing in the way of physical activity and then adds some activity, anything that gets the body moving and increases the heart rate, then they are going to feel differently. If they are using the machines properly and working the targeted muscle groups, then they will see some changes in their bodies. Will they become a 20 something hardbody from a Curves workout? Not likely.

I don't like the big gyms. I feel inadequate there. I have my own homebased business so taking 1-2 hours out of my day to workout is just not something I can afford to do. The cost of the big gyms is too high for my budget also.

This is why I like this board so much - there are so many people from different stages in their lives and we all benefit from sharing our opinions and our stories!

Kel

I guess there is a big difference in locations because it's franchised. My clueless SIL is joining one about 30 miles from here and the cost is $29. No joining fee. I think for someone like her, who has never worked out, it will be a good place to start. Now if I could only convince her to give up low fat diets. Oh well. To each their own.

Curves sounds a whole lot like the old Figure World fitness centers. I worked at one once and their primary goal was to sell extra's and keep the work outs just barely challenging.
For right now I am going to continue to do my belly dance dvd that only cost me $17 at Costco. You can make it as easy or as hard as you like. I think if I do that I can get myself into better shape before I go to any gym. Having a background in bodybuilding/strength training I was used to extreme workouts and I don't want to start that mentality before my body can handle it. Right now just the act of bending over to pack boxes has my back screaming and yes, I am using proper technique. I could see myself completely blowing the back at a gym on a lat machine.
Take care ladies and know this: the decision to act is 1/2 the battle.

Liz, I am sorry you didn't like it. I think i was the one that said you get out of it what you put into it. I too felt in the beginning it was flimsy, but I must say that I think I am getting stonger. I belong to another gym, but I hate the weights there. I hate changing the settings and waiting for some DUDE to finish his 3000 sets! i walk, do the stair climber, recumbant bike and eliptical there with my friends every morning, but I like the in and out of curves while the kids are at karate.
I know there is a difference in canadian $ to american, but ours id a lot cheeper than what yours is.

I thin for everyone who hates to exercise that the moon and the stars have to be in line to find the right place for you.

i hope you like the gym. I love mine,, and I love curves too for different reasons.

be well,
(good to see you again by the way, although I have been lurking :) )
-L

Hey L
 

...thanks for noticing!

All is well....not on the boards much these days...doing a big course on the weekend of Feb 15th and when that is over I will be celebrating big time! I just can't learn like I used to when I was young and I wasn't much good then either!

I have been having playdates for dd4 all week and I am hoping some of the other mom's will return the favor....some people just do not have a clue.

I am busy trying to find a place where I belong on the boards....it is so time consumming to look around and get to know people...maybe that will have to wait til spring too!

Anyhow I will keep you posted on the gym. I certainly couldn't afford to do both.

Have a good one everyone!

Liz