HI,

I'm considering joining Curves but wanted to know of anyone here has used them?

I'm interested in hearing how their diet works as their web site doesn't offer much information.

Any info appreciated

Diane x

I don't know much about them either.

I do think it's a fitness programme rather than a diet programme however. I'm led to believe that the class revolves around pieces of equipment that you work on for a few minutes at a time, moving round the circle and using all the equipment. The classes are 30 minutes and they claim you can burn up to 800 calories, which I find hard to believe.

I'd be interested to know how much these classes cost, as there's a Curves in my town, and I'd be curious to go.

Hi,

I had heard about the circuit and I don't really fancy that, I since found out the offer a weight management programme as well but it involves a lot of counting and measuring which is something I don't have time for.

I think I'll review my options. I only thought if them as they are close to where I work.

One of my coworkers purchased the curves weight management plan - they set her on a diet that was basically calorie counting with a list of suggested meal items. I think it started her at 2000 per day for a week, then dropped to 1500 for a week, up to 2200, back down to 1700, etc. It was influenced a lot by her activity level as well - more activity got her more calories to consume on the chart. She was given some pretty specific meal suggestions, it was also somewhat low carb as I remember.

She didn't stick to it, and I felt watching from the outside that I could come up with a calorie counting plan on my own for cheaper.

I started out with Curves. I was very new to exercise, so it helped. However, even though I had Curves Smart I got very bored and quit when my year membership was up.
They are very targeted to older people, or people interested in only exercising for 30 minutes. I can say that it is not a good workout, unless you are unfit. I thought I was so good with the machines and everything, so I tried the 30 day shred after reaching the 100s. Bicep Curls were easy for me at Curves...they say that the faster your work the machines, the more resistance, right?
yeah well I did bicep curls with Jillian using 5 pound weights for each arm...omg I was sore the next day! I really felt that using the weights are much better than the Curves machines.
Also it is a circuit and the same machines for each workout. I got bored of that, I got bored of the music they played. I figured I can eventually make up my own routines once I know what I can do with my weights and always make it different.
So, I say if you are very obese, older, new to exercise ect. Then Curves might be for you.
If you have been exercising for a while, are looking for a challenging exercise routine and get bored easily, Curves might not be for you.

I joined because it was the nearest thing I could find to a gym with a creche in the area that I live in. They don't mind you taking your kids there if they sit quietly and at the time my son was 3 and my girl was about 1 so she was still in her push chair.

It's ok, and you do see a difference, but I for one, definitely didn't feel the psychological benefits that I do after an hour at a gym....I like to leave a place with my muscles twtiching feeling like I've had a sweaty work out!! It's a bit expensive for what it is too I was paying £29 a month and haven't been going for about 7 months now because I'm pregnant again and you don't get out of the contract (you can pay monthly but it's £39...although I wish I'd don that now!) Anyway my membership is up but I won't be renewing.

Not sure what I'll be doing after this one is born as I'm about 30 miles from the nearest gym that acually has a creche and I can't really justify doing that trip 5 days a week with 3 small kids!!

I joined in january, and thought it would be good for me, as at that point i had little motivation. half an hour, and youre done. but i got bored of doing the same thing again and again. and not being able to carry on if i wanted to. as soon as i can, im cancelling my membership and joining a proper gym

I joined something similar to Curves over here in ireland, I think it is really good as an initial way to get back to excercise if you have been away for a while or have never done it before, it is kind of like a jumping off point prior to the real gym - but it definitely worked for toning in my case.
I'd suggest negotiating joining up for 6 months, so that the commitment isn't so big!
You can do 2 circuits if you want to increase excercise