I hated to exercise, but tried Curves after losing 25 pounds. Now I love it and feel very comfortable there. In the first month I lost 4.5 inches and 8 pounds. The workers are all trained on how the machines work and the muscle groups pertaining to each machine. They are also taught how to measure people and body fat analysis. Each client is given an interview about your daily activities and life style. I am sold on Curves!

I love going to Curves...and I have done the "traditional gym" route before as well. I don't fgeel that the staff at CUrves has to be fitness EXPERTS to help me feel comfortable and work the machines. I lost 12 pounds and 10 inches in one month there! It works for this woman...and we have a lot of young fit women who come as well. I would love to see more hours and child care. The owner allows my son to come and read while I work out but real childcare would be so much nicer..and I'd love to see it open on Sundays, but it goes against the philosophy of the company to open on Sundays...

SO, maybe when I lose 200 pounds I'll venture into something else, but for now I love the 340 minute routine..and mine is VERY CLEAN or I wouldn't go there!
CIndi

Well, since writing my original post I have experienced the problem of untrained and underinvolved staff so I agree this is a problem. The owners go through a training program but I do not know how involved it is. In my case, the owner may have taken a class but I have only seen her in the shop twice in two months so her knowledge does me and other members no good.

My Curves hires people to work for minimum wage and basically just sort of leaves them there to sit and rot. The trainers seem to be there to open the door and change the music occassionally. They are not very involved at all. Well sometimes they try but because they are young and untrained, they give out dangerous information about crash diets and things like that whcih I am smart enough to avoid but other members are not.

The lack of staff involvement has become a problem for me because after two months of doing the SAME CIRCUIT to the SAME MUSIC, I need some new stimulation. I am a little bored and I have told my trainers this. I have even made suggestions and had my DJ boyfriend make music that fits the Curves requirements to try and change things up on my own. The ideas weren't very well received.

In talking to other Curves members online, I have found that this problem exists at some Curves but the majority of members I talked to say that their trainers are very involved and knowledgeable.

All Curves are supposed to offer support and ideas to keep you motivated. Personally, I don't care if my trainers are certified but I do want them to be involved in motivating and encouraging the members since that is part of what my membership pays for. I am lucky in that I live in a large city where there are 7 Curves within ten miles of my home so I am now looking to switch locations.

Even with all that said, I still prefer the Curves workout. I can hold my own in a traditional gym but I prefer the 30 min workout and women-only environment. Also, it is less of an assault on my body than traditional weights.

Hi Guys,
 

I weigh 250 pounds, I use to weigh 325 pounds. I am working hard at loosing more, but going through a very tough plateau right now. I mainly did it on my own and for the last 8 months I attending a regular co-ed gym. I must tell you I never felt out of place or that anyone was looking at me weird. It seems to be big myth that because you are heavy everyone will think less of you at the gym. It feels to me like we are equals, almost if we all had the same goal, to be fit and stay fit. As far as curves is concerned as soon as I heard of it I rushed to see it. I thought it was a little low key for someone who has worked out in a regular gym. But then again I think it looks like a terrific starter for someone that is looking for the first push. If you find a way to move that body I guess it really does not matter where. Good luck to all of you girls in reaching your goals.

:grouphug:

I have to say I still love the atmosphere of Curves and going the circuit training route... it may not be for everyone but you can certainly get just as good of a workout and sweat as much at Curves as you can in a traditional gym atmospere. There are people of all sizes there and different fitness levels. Hey, I've been working out regulary (something I hadn't done in a LONG time) so as far as I'm concerned-It's AWESOME!!!!

I will probably check out a curves soon.. Here is why..

When I was in college I went to an all womans gym (at th rip off price of $70 a month!) but I lost weight pretty fast & enjoyed going there.

Why? Well the honest reason is because when I go too a reguler gym I am a little too worried about "letting it all hang out" so I end up not working out as hard (dont want the guys seeing my butt sweat=)... so when I go to an all womans gym I dont bother with makeup, hair, & I sweat my buns off!

I have been going to Curves for 2 weeks now and I love it. They weigh and measure you once a month, but I like to see my weight on a weekly basis so I weigh myself. I have already lost 8 lbs. Can't wait to see how many inches are gone. I really like the all women atmosphere. I don't worry about how I look. I just sweat my butt off and reap the rewards.
Steph

Tell me more...
 

Hey -- Curves sounds GREAT.

I've been working out at a gym 5 days a week - 3 doing strength training and while I'm seeing results...I'm frustrated by the busyness, and the "bodies" around me.

Tell me something -- does Curves support any dietary program or are they all about exercise? Do they do your measurements?

When you say, you've lost 8.5 inches - what body parts are you measuring?

I'm thinking of joining and keeping my gym for cardio workouts only...let me know what else you can tell me! (COST?)

Thanks!

Curves is basically about exercise. It is circuit training. The machines are hydraulic so there are no weights to worry about. Between each machine is a platform, where you can walk, jog, etc. That is where the cardio comes in. It takes 30 minutes. They weigh and measure you once per month. I haven't been weighed and measured yet. My date is the 28th, but I like to weigh myself weekly using their scale and so far in 2 weeks I have lost 8 lbs. They measure arms, bust waist, abdomen, hips and thighs. Cost varies from center to center because they are franchised. There is a 1 time membership fee. At my center it is normally $149, but I only paid $49 as part of a promotion. Then there is a monthly fee. Mine is $29, but as I said it varies. They are popping up all over the place and usually run promotions. Your best bet would be to call your local Curves and get some info and then go check it out. I really love it there. It's fun and it's quick and for me, it's working. Hope that helped.
Steph

Great info - thank you...

Am concerned about the "stall" effect. Even at the gym, the trainers keep telling me to switch it up because your body is quite smart and gets used to the same exercises...results won't keep up if this happens.

I guess since I am committed to my gym for a year, I should keep it up. As self-conscious as I am...and I am VERY self-conscious...the folks there have been ultra-supportive and the results are obvious. My hubby told me the other night that he noticed it in my knees of all the weird places...said they used to be a little swollen looking and now that is totall gone. So the knees isn't exactly where I was looking to lose...but its coming...slowly...

Height - 5'7

Starting: 192.5 (April 8)
Now: 184.5 (May 15)

Body fat down to 35 from 40%....

Meaurements -- they are different every time I do them -- don't know what I'm doing wrong but apparently, I'm a moron with a measuring tape...hey...maybe someone could tell me the "right" way to do bust/waist/hips measurements so you don't get a 3" deviation!

Thanks all!!!
:smug:

Kelmacs Questions
 

>>>Tell me something -- does Curves support any dietary program or are they all about exercise? Do they do your measurements?

They do offer a diet program. It is basically a low-carb plan. They give you a book either when you join or refer some friends. I read the book but do not follow the plan (not because I think it is a bad plan but because I am an anti-diet crusader :). But from what I understand, you only follow the plan when you have plateaued. I can send you the book if you are interested in learning more about it.

>>>>When you say, you've lost 8.5 inches - what body parts are you measuring?

They measure upper arm, Bust, Abs, Belly, and Thigh. They also measure BMI (mine has gone down consistently) and weigh you. The first month, I did much better than the second, but everyone is different and loses weight differently. Some people lose a lot of pounds, other people lose a lot of inches. Some people dont lose at all for a while, and then lose a lot really fast and some lose slowly and consistently. It just depends.

>>>>I'm thinking of joining and keeping my gym for cardio workouts only...let me know what else you can tell me! (COST?)

I have heard that Curves recommends that you do cardio on your "off days" from Curves. I think that's a great idea.

And I pay 29 a month which is pretty standard although some areas cost more depending on the cost of living, etc.

I was weighed and measured today and I lost 14 lbs and 9.5 inches in 1 month. So for me, Curves definitely works.
Steph

Congrats! That's excellent.

Keep motivated and you'll hit that 160 goal before you know it;)

Congrats Steph
 

That's wonderful, Steph!!!!!

There is a new "home" version of the Curves workout, fyi. It was previewed in a recent issue of Women's Day and is in the new book about Curves that is out. According to the article, the home workout uses one of those large stretch bands (with 2 handles) and things around every home (door, chair) to complete the same workout you get on the machines at your local Curves location.

According to this article, the particular combination of circuit training offered in the workout is what makes people burn more calories than most traditional cardio or weightlifting routines. The article said that the average person can burn 500 calories per Curves workout.

I haven't tried any of this, just reporting what I read. HTH.