I joined Curves about a month and a half ago and i truly love it. The staff is kind, the price if very affordable, and it is something that i can get through, even though i am very overweight. I have lost 15 pounds so far, and i am delighted. I would highly recommend this place, particularly if you are just starting exercising or have a lot to lose.

They opened up one by me but because of their hours and my schedule and the fact they have no child care facilities i could only go before work or at lunch time but 0 out of the 3 near me have a shower area, just a changing area and "wipes". i cannot go before work and then go all the way back home to get ready since it is not that close, that would waste a lot of time since i work a hlaf hour from home. i could go to the one right next to my work but then come to work all sweaty??? i can't go afterwork because i have to drive a half hour home to pick up my daughter by a certain time. i just thought the ladies i spoke to were rude and they don't have very many necessities for some of us full time working moms you know? i would love to give it a try otherwise

I've heard a lot of good things about Curves from people who are just getting into (or back into) exercise. It's particularly good for women who aren't familiar with gym equipment. There's no learning curve (no pun intended!). I think once you start to develop some fitness you'll automatically start to want more, then you can move on to a bigger gym with a wider variety of options. Curves is a nice program that jump-starts muscle building and I wholly endorse it for that purpose.

If you are already fit and/or want to develop a weights regimen, don't join Curves. Join a gym with a variety of equipment and knowledgable trainers.

As for the social/political aspect, I think many people DO want to know about companies' charitable contributions. It's just one more piece of information to help a person decide which business to patronize. More important to some people than others. I try to avoid giving my money to corporations that do things with it that are directly opposed to my personal beliefs. I'd never give my money to Curves for that reason, but to each her own.

Curves is really exploding. It's relatively new in Chicago where I live, but I've seen it in little towns from Tennessee to Montana. Amazing proliferation. It shows that there was really a demand for a gym where the intimidation factor is low.

--Diamonda
266/135/147

Editing ... oops, I got my signature line backwards. Wishful thinking! I meant:

266/147/135

Hey everyone ...

A group of us will be checking Curves out next week and going to our free trial week to see if we like the program. I was told that no Curves facilities ever have showers because the entire point is to get in and out in 30 minutes ... and since there's one that's only two blocks down from my work, it would be *very* convenient. Plus, they've extended their hours now ... they're open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. ... so it could fit into any of our schedules ... whether we wanted to go before work, during lunch, or after work.

I hope I like it ... I need to lose a *lot* of weight ... and I think this would be a good place to start.

My problem with no showers is I live 1/2 hour from work and theres one right by my work and I could only go before work. So if I shower at home and go workout I would have to go to work sweaty with no time to go home and freshen up. I am checking out a women's gym similar to curves by my daughters daycare tonight since I may be able to go there at night as it is close to my house.

curves works, but you should also do weights and stuff along with it, its mostly cardio, which helps but you need more than just that

Curves for Women is a great system for any kind of person.

You go through a circuit of machines and recovery boards, for a total of 30 minutes, then you stretch at the end of your workout. You routine consists of five items.

1 - Warm Up
2 - Consistent Target Heart Rate
3 - Strengthening workout
4 - Cool Down
5 - Stretching

Each machine/recovery board you are on for a total of 30-35 seconds (depending on how many machines the club has). A recovery board is in between each machine and has a cushioned feeling. This is where you can obtain a good cardiovascular workout. You can walk on it, jog, jump, anything, but keep moving. Every 7 1/2 minutes you find your target heart rate (which will be explained to you upon your visit to the club)

In the club that I am at, I know of two women that have dropped in their blood pressure medication as well one lady is completely off of her arthritis meds.

The machines are all on hydraulics, so no wasteing time on moving weights around. There is hardly ever a line up to wait for machines, as everyone moves at the same time. You can go in whenever you want to workout.

For the total workout you are getting a great upper and lower body workout, as well as a cardivascular workout.

I think I have summed it up. Hope this helps.

Also in our club, we don't leave the ladies to workout by themselves, we are always in the circle with them keeping them motivated. Our club also has incentives for losing weight or inches where you get FREE stuff. I have signed up a few "quitters" and so far to date they haven't quit Curves and enjoy it alot. In their words "the best thing that ever happened to them."

Any more questions just ask.

Sandy