I wanted to join curves too. I just might join a regular gym with my cousin. I wouldn't like to go alone. =/

speaking from the perspective of someone that has both worked out at curves and worked FOR curves (at two different clubs)...

curves is ideal for someone looking to start a new fitness regimen (especially if you've taken a long break from working out or are just starting to work out for the first time), someone that doesn't want to workout around men and/or someone that has a tight schedule but is still trying to get in their cardio and strength training. the machines work on a different kind of resistance than your standard health club equipment - as those above have said, the machines all appear to be set at one resistance level. basically what you put into your workout is what you'll get out of it - the harder you work, more resistance will be created, which causes you to both raise your heart rate and build muscle.

you'll want to look for a club that has the 'curvessmart' computers hooked up to the machines. these will tell you how hard you're working and track your workouts, showing progress and where you could improve. it will also give you a (rough) estimate of how many calories you're burning.

curves also has a weightloss program called the '6 week solution' that you may want to ask about when you go in for your tour.

When the curves first opened in a nearby town I thought tis should be great and went in to check it out. I was supposed to get a 2 week free trial, which didn't materialize, what I did get was a very hard sell to sign up for at least 2 years. I also noticed that when they did the measurements on me they put their full hands inside the tape measure so my measurements where bigger than they really were, I am thinking they would use that to show me how many inches I would lose using their equiptment. I left there with a very bad impression of Curves, but I also realize that they are a franchise and everyone is different. I also thought their insistance that their 30 minute workout was better than a 90 minute gym workout what way too good to be true. I hope you have better luck than I did, I also wish that there was something close to home and affordable that would really work, but i live in a very rural place so will just keep walking and doing dvds.