Curves?

**Molemommy** · 05-22-2010, 11:43 AM

Best Advice I can give someone else already mentioned... They Have a free one week trial... try it... after the week you will know if you want to stay or to go... so you wont be out anything but time.

**Luckybustert** · 05-22-2010, 04:09 PM

I did have a membership at Curves but decided not to renew it. I liked the exercise, the machines, and especially the stretching station just fine -- the repetition didn't bother me, it was quick, and I didn't have a dreaded sweathog standing there wanting to "work in" with me on the machine and getting snarly when I said I would be just a couple minutes (sorry folks, I think it's bad manners and y'all can wait your turn....my time is every bit as important to me as yours is to you). What I didn't like was that it's ridiculously social and yes, very clique-y and catty. And these were women who were definitely old enough to know better....what are we, in junior high still?! The other thing that didn't work well for me was the hours....I am not a morning person so getting up and leaving the house to go work out at 5:30am is realistically not going to happen often, if at all. So that means I need to work out after work, and I frequently don't get out of work before 6pm, then there's the traffic to contend with and by the time I got to Curves it was almost closing time and I felt super-rushed. Then it would close at noon on Saturday so if I couldn't make it my top priority for Saturday that wasn't a good fit either. And the not being open on Sunday or holidays further limited the time I could work out there. I ended up getting in maybe one or two workouts a month, and at $39 per month that wasn't a very good value for me. The exercise portion itself is a decent enough program if you can deal with the rest. (And what was with the women who would put the extra cushions in the most difficult places to retrieve them from...some days I spent half the time I was supposed to be at a station trying to retrieve the cushion while the women who would do that just smiled like butter wouldn't melt in their mouths!)

**pip** · 05-22-2010, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Luckybustert

I did have a membership at Curves but decided not to renew it. I liked the exercise, the machines, and especially the stretching station just fine -- the repetition didn't bother me, it was quick, and I didn't have a dreaded sweathog standing there wanting to "work in" with me on the machine and getting snarly when I said I would be just a couple minutes (sorry folks, I think it's bad manners and y'all can wait your turn....my time is every bit as important to me as yours is to you). What I didn't like was that it's ridiculously social and yes, very clique-y and catty. And these were women who were definitely old enough to know better....what are we, in junior high still?! The other thing that didn't work well for me was the hours....I am not a morning person so getting up and leaving the house to go work out at 5:30am is realistically not going to happen often, if at all. So that means I need to work out after work, and I frequently don't get out of work before 6pm, then there's the traffic to contend with and by the time I got to Curves it was almost closing time and I felt super-rushed. Then it would close at noon on Saturday so if I couldn't make it my top priority for Saturday that wasn't a good fit either. And the not being open on Sunday or holidays further limited the time I could work out there. I ended up getting in maybe one or two workouts a month, and at $39 per month that wasn't a very good value for me. The exercise portion itself is a decent enough program if you can deal with the rest. (And what was with the women who would put the extra cushions in the most difficult places to retrieve them from...some days I spent half the time I was supposed to be at a station trying to retrieve the cushion while the women who would do that just smiled like butter wouldn't melt in their mouths!)

What are the extra cushions for and why would they hide them in the first place?

**Luckybustert** · 05-22-2010, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by pip

What are the extra cushions for and why would they hide them in the first place?

The extra cushions are because the machine itself can't be adjusted. So, for example, I'd put a cushion behind my back on some machines so my short legs would be in the right place on the machine. I don't think they were intentionally hiding them, just "putting them away"....far away.

**mek42** · 05-22-2010, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by Luckybustert

The extra cushions are because the machine itself can't be adjusted. So, for example, I'd put a cushion behind my back on some machines so my short legs would be in the right place on the machine. I don't think they were intentionally hiding them, just "putting them away"....far away.

Um... just an FYI, I permanently injured my back using a machine that I did not know was adjustable and was adjusted to someone of a dramatically different body size / layout than me. This was on a leg press and I was trying to give my quads a medium workout and stupidly continued even though it didn't feel right. :headslap: Hopefully the non-adjustable machines at Curves are for types of exercise not prone to injury.

**pip** · 05-23-2010, 09:31 AM

I'm still thinking ... keep the opinions coming!

**kellydoeshair** · 05-24-2010, 09:04 PM

I guess I am biased AGAINST curves because they treated me so badly when I interviewed there once years ago...
I don't know what your curves is like, but here it's generally kind of like a plus sized womens gym
they acted like I wouldn't "fit in" there because I was small
lol
I'm bitter

but seriously out of cheapness I'd rather walk/ run or get some second hand rollerblades

**pip** · 05-24-2010, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by kellydoeshair

I guess I am biased AGAINST curves because they treated me so badly when I interviewed there once years ago...
I don't know what your curves is like, but here it's generally kind of like a plus sized womens gym
they acted like I wouldn't "fit in" there because I was small
lol
I'm bitter

but seriously out of cheapness I'd rather walk/ run or get some second hand rollerblades

I only saw a couple of women come in to work out as I was leaving and they were pretty normal sized. The woman working there was average, also ... were you applying to work there? I wonder if it depends on who is the owner. That's too bad you ended up feeling that way!

**momstrong** · 05-28-2010, 01:36 PM

I think it is very much a matter of personal preference. If you have a lot of gym experience and know what you are doing it probably isnt for you.

If you are looking for some help in developing a routine and getting to know other people who are going through the same thing you are, I'd give Curves a try.

That being said -- the music does suck lol

**Missy** · 05-28-2010, 05:35 PM

i went to one for a bit and loved it. I am plus sized and don't look so hot in any work out clothing. When i went i didn't feel any judgement or clique-iness. The only reason I quit going was because they relocated across town. It was nice that it was all women, different levels of fitness.

**pip** · 05-28-2010, 06:41 PM

I decided to join! Went today and am learning how the machines work... they're probably not too hard, but I am a bit "machine-challenged"...

Anyway, I was the only one there at the time I went, which was just fine. The music was very quiet, not crazy at all. Plus they had several fans going, and I love fans. So far, so good.

**Libby** · 05-28-2010, 07:58 PM

pip - good for you for taking care of your health.

When I was looking for a gym last year or two years ago now (?) I did consider Curves b/c it was closer to my house. The next closest was the chain gym. I was told by the person at the counter at Curves that I probably wouldn't like it there as much as the other "clientele" as I was "too young" for their target demographic. However my gf who was going to sign up with me is a plus size girl. The lady told her SHE would be well suited for a place like Curves.

In my area, the Curves caters to the older women (50's) who are intimidated by sharing the gym floor with the other annoying gym clientele - ie wanna be beefcake and muscle models OR are new to exercising or are not looking for something hardcore.

Due to that woman's awkward honesty, I went to check out the chain gym and it turned out to be better for me - more diverse machines, ample machines so I'm never stuck waiting, there's a pool, an actual shower area/locker room (which Curves doesn't offer), classes if interested and a weight area. I'm not a fan of the muscle heads but I quickly got over it when I saw the price difference btwn the chain gym and Curves. It was half of what Curves wanted monthly. And the chain gym has a 'women only' section.

Plus the hours were very limited at the Curves vs chain gym.

I applaud Curves on bringing light to that niche market however having said that there are plenty of 'older' women at the chain gym that are beyond super fit - I find it totally motivating!

I guess it all boils down to what you are comfortable with, what you are looking for and what suits your needs best. I hope you enjoy your time with Curves

**pip** · 05-28-2010, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by Libby

pip - good for you for taking care of your health.

When I was looking for a gym last year or two years ago now (?) I did consider Curves b/c it was closer to my house. The next closest was the chain gym. I was told by the person at the counter at Curves that I probably wouldn't like it there as much as the other "clientele" as I was "too young" for their target demographic. However my gf who was going to sign up with me is a plus size girl. The lady told her SHE would be well suited for a place like Curves.

In my area, the Curves caters to the older women (50's) who are intimidated by sharing the gym floor with the other annoying gym clientele - ie wanna be beefcake and muscle models OR are new to exercising or are not looking for something hardcore.

Due to that woman's awkward honesty, I went to check out the chain gym and it turned out to be better for me - more diverse machines, ample machines so I'm never stuck waiting, there's a pool, an actual shower area/locker room (which Curves doesn't offer), classes if interested and a weight area. I'm not a fan of the muscle heads but I quickly got over it when I saw the price difference btwn the chain gym and Curves. It was half of what Curves wanted monthly. And the chain gym has a 'women only' section.

Plus the hours were very limited at the Curves vs chain gym.

I applaud Curves on bringing light to that niche market however having said that there are plenty of 'older' women at the chain gym that are beyond super fit - I find it totally motivating!

I guess it all boils down to what you are comfortable with, what you are looking for and what suits your needs best. I hope you enjoy your time with Curves

Thank you for the nice post. I don't think of myself as old, but when I think about it, I will be 51 this summer!

The owner of this Curves said that they have women of all ages, and some are even in their 70's. She said she is so impressed with the tenacity of these women, and I thought that was pretty cool.

I think I am already in pretty good shape and health. I do want to be proactive, though, and keep moving in a direction of strength and flexability as I age. It's not important to me to necessarily be buff or look like a model.

I hope that I enjoy going there on a regular basis.