Curves For Women: A Lot Of Hype?

I went to Curves for about 3 months to just test it out for myself. (My mom is an active member and loves it). I'm very active at the YMCA which I normally go to but I stopped going for the 3 months while I was going to Curves. I was very bored with the workout after a couple weeks and didn't notice any results of any kind (good or bad), until I went back to the Y and tried to do my regular workout. But I still worked the machines as fast and as hard as I could every time I went to Curves, because I thought I was getting a good workout. After I went back to my gym I could not lift as much weight or run as fast and as far as I did before. The next day I was completely sore. That just told me my muscles were not used very much at Curves. I think Curves is a decent work-out for middle-aged to older adults who don't exercise. But Curves' advertising is mis-leading (and false) in saying that, "It is equivalent to an hour-and-a-half gym (cardio and weights) work-out."

I joined Curves and I really like it. I am not a "middle aged" soccer mom who doesn't work out. If your not getting a good work out there, then maybe the franchise owner is not maintaining the machines. My sister is a certified trainer who works at Curves and believe me she makes you really work when you go there and she shows you how to properly use the machines to get the most out of them. Basically after you do the two turns around the circuit, you should not be able to do another one - your muscles should be sufficiently "tired". I don't socialize when I work out - I go in and get the best work out I can.

I really enjoy working out there and will be starting the 6 week challenge next week.

I think any program that gets people moving is a good one.

I'm not sure about those folks who thought the program was misleading or had didn't have the contract fully explained to them. I think it might have to do with how different owners run their franchise.

I have nothing but good things to say about Curves!

I was wondering I just went to check out the local curves and I weigh around 130 pounds and I am just under 5'4 do you think this is a good place for me to go to get to my goal weight of 115-117?

I've just joined Curves to be supportive of a friend who is morbidly obese. I can already tell that it isn't suited for highly athletic folks or folks who are focused on building muscle. However, I can say that it is a nice way to get your heart rate up and at least tone your muscles a bit.

I'm not middle-aged or a soccer mom, but I did find that I had simply stopped incorporating exercise into my daily life. Curves does make it easy to do that and I feel like once I get the habit solid again, I'll move onto a different gym or add a weekly yoga class and some home weights to up the challenge.

And folks, let's be less harsh towards soccer moms, etc., hmmm? We all are seeking something different and if it is a bad match for you, it doesn't have to be because you or the people at the gym are bad. It's just not a fit.

This is a response to Mackenzie's question. I joined Curves a month and a half ago and let me say I LOVE IT! My husband and I ride to work together and I go to Curves in the afternoon while I'm waiting on him to pick me up.
I joined because I just turned 30 and although I played ball in High School and still stay fairly active, I just needed something to help me tone. I'm approximately your height and weight. I'm 5'3" 127 lbs. You asked if Curves is the right place for you to reach a goal of 115-117. Well, to be honest, I have had one weigh in and have lost 3 inches in one month (stomach/abdomen) and my body fat % went down 2 points, but I have gained 3 pounds. I can tell my metaboloism is better also. I can already look in the mirror and see better tone. I was a little discuraged to find out that I have gained weight, and some of my clothes are a little tight in the legs but you have to remember that MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT and that's what you're doing, you're building muscle. I'm hoping it will even out. But my point is, as small as you are you will probably gain a little weight but as long as you feel better and your body fat % goes down then it's working. I have been going at least four times a week and sometimes five, but I may cut it down to three and see what happens.
Give it a try and see what you think...but you will probably need to go for a least a month to get used to everything. GOOD LUCK!

For me, an active 39 year old who jogs and bikes and generally works out fairly often, Curves is too mild. For my Aunt, who is quite overweight and used to think a walk to the mailbox was exercise, Curves is a challenging workout, and fun to go to since she gets to socialize.

Curves is not for everyone, but it is great for some women. My Aunt started going to Curves (she would NEVER have gone to a regular gym), and once she realized she could do this thing called "exercise" she started to feel better about herself. That led to after dinner walks, then to healthier eating in general. Somewhere down the line she will be a healthier person. Good for her.

I joined a Curves in the UK just about a year ago, and Ilove it. I guess I am one of those heavily overweight, 41 year old Mums you seem so derisory about. Let me tell you, I would never, and never did, any type of exercise before Curves came along. Too fat, too ashamed and too embarress. I have lost weight and inches....ansd re-gained them over a few months whilst being very low & full of self pity. My Curves leader has been the greatest support to me, the staff too are great. Yes, I do have a chat sometimes, and yes I look fwd to it...now i am even doing the 6 week challenge. So there!!!!

I just paid for my first month and setup fee. I am 174 lbs. My sudden weight has come on in the last 6 mo after having my gallbladder removed. I am 28 yrs. old but I have now had 6 surgeries and 3 car accidents they are unrealated from each other. Years ago, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Three years bedridden by pain and even placed in a wheel chair on opiate patches. After the removal of the gallbladder I have no chronic pain issues. I still fear some kind of rebound with pain even though I have had 2 years pain free since my son was born. My biggest concern with Curves is the lack of medical professional. I know the type of machines will be affective for me since I am just starting to use my body again. I know a lot about the proper heart rate control for myself to loose weight with the fibromyalgia. Has anyone out there really had any rebounding pain with using Curves? Any bad injuries needing immediate medical care? I am not a quitter. I was told I would never leave the wheel chair or have kids. I accomplished both. I just don't want to cause any permenant damage when I have lost years of functionality due to medical issues.

Quick update to my first session yesterday. I was not told to do any Warm-up excercise or stretching. (This I feel should have been done for 5+min) I did 3 laps around with the machines. From what I have read about most people using the machines they do half that or sometimes 2 laps. I really don't think it was right to push someone with my past medical history this hard. Years ago, I know this would have massively set me back for a week or more worth of pain and being barely able to move. Thankfully, I am only a tiny bit sore with a inflammed right arm. I do have tendonitis in that arm so I expected it. I didn't sleep well due to a new kitten and my blankets being stolen during the night. So part of my uncomfortableness might not all be due to Curves. But I am still concerned with the lack of medical supervision and communication. I have also seen membership books on ebay that women recieved yet I have only a diane magazine and receipt from joining. They have also not talked to me about the 6wk weight loss experience.

I have been going to Curves for 2 weeks and i know that is not a long time, but already i can feel the difference! My jeans that were too tight for me fit again, and its the only gym that i look forward to going to. I think it's a great gym, and you can tell it works by looking at the people that have been there for a while, and at the Curves i go to they are all in amazing shape. I will definately continue to go there and for the first time ever i actually believe i will succeed with losing the weight!!!!!

I don't believe those who say this gym only works for older overweight people. I am 21 and i may weigh a little more than i would like but i am certainly not sedentary and i think Curves works brilliantly. It completely depends how much you put into your workout, i go five times a week and end up very tired and hot afterwards, and this definately works!

So those who bad mouth it clearly don't work hard enough, or havent given it enough time.

My name is Francisca and I am a blind college student. I have been going to Curves for almost three weeks now and I love it. At first I had a little trouble getting to know where the machines were placed around the room, but after going there a few times I am able to go around independently. I really like how the gym is only for women and I find the staff to be very friendly and helpfull. I usually go in the evening after six because it is not busy then. I joined because I need to excersize more and I have gained some weight over the past year. I am only 4-10 and weigh about 125 lbs so I have some weight to lose. I also am a Synchronized swimmer so I do that once a week. I used to do that twice a week but now that I am in college I only do it once a week.
Francisca

I have read thru all the comments posted and thought i'd add this...I work at a ladies gym same workout different company... we as staff are trained to use the equipment and to understand just the basics of exercising..I myself have taken it upon myself to be constantly researching ways to improve ones workout or change it to better suit thier abilities...a trainers knowledge will only ever be as great as they make it. One clear difference from my gyms equipment and curves' is that ours are adjustable with regards to tension/resistance levels going from 1 to 6.I have the ladies work at low resistance 1 or 2 with a faster pace for 2-3 times a week and then once a week we load up the resistance to about 4 or 5, do 20 slow reps on each machine no recovery boards and three times around...gives a really nice muscle workout. If you like the circuit approach but are finding that you have stopped getting results from the curves machines then maybe look for a club that has the SHAPES FOR WOMEN machines. But if you still have a membership that hasn't ended here are some tips that you may find helps you reommmph the workout....as we become more fit we need to keep our target heart rate up for longer periods of time so if all you are doing is 2 or 3 laps try doing 4 laps...as well grab a set of 3lb hand weights while on the recovery boards...try adding some mat work at the end before stretching...pilates moves and the stability ball are great add ons that I have training with and love to share with the women..also we change the pattern of our circuit every month to avoid the body getting used to things...I hope that this helps and I have to agree doing something for your body is better than doing nothing...Also lets all keep in mind that fitness is not all about fitting into that tiny bikini or tight jeans...it's about having more enegy, less depression, lower blood pressure, control over diabetes, stronger core muscles to help fight disc degeneration...adding more years to your life should be the ultimate goal don't you think

I love curves. I miss it when I don't go. I think you should add extra cardo to your workout. I workout by myself and love the time to workout the days stress. I have lost 25 pounds and 25 inches. Keep going to all the ladies that are working out. Good job..

I give Curves my COMMENDATIONS, (what ever floats your boat) if it works for me I'm sticking to it! I'm not going to take up a lot of room and list all of the many, many, many things I like about Curves. I will make a comparison, I went to physical therapy for seven times at five different places and was instructed to join some kind of spa not to lose the progress I gained. I used a one week free visit to Curves and got hooked. I don't have a car any more and can't get there right now but I have been continuing to pay my monthly fee, not to lose my membership. Let's face it we all have a pros and cons opinion about everything! Good luck where ever you choose to find a healthier means of living.

Hello I am struggling with my weight loss i have had three kids back to back. I was doing great at first losing my weight but after starting the depo shot i gained all the baby weight and more. I am planning on joining Curves but is there anything else i can try in addition to working out. I tried trimspa but it was a bunch of gargabe lol. i really need something to curve my hunger i always feel hungry i dont eat large meals or a lot of junk but i eat often.

Joanna - may I suggest looking into different birth control? Try something non-hormonal like the IUD or condoms. I believe the hormones in birth control affect so many people negatively, and you clearly seem to be one of them. You can diet and exercise and if your hormones are unbalanced, you'll always be fighting a losing battle.

What is the average cost of the 6-week program? I am desperately needing to take off weight due to diabetes and fibromyalgia issues and just being morbidly obese, but I'm on social security disability and can't afford a huge fee. Thanks

I am a member of our Local Curves in the UK, and have been going for 3 months now. I am concerned about the staff, I find that there is no consistancy in their instructions to the members. I believe it is important not to cross your ankles while working out (being in the medical profession)and some of the staff always correct members, but others let it slide. Sometimes when asked by members WHY?? their answers are as silly as "to stabilise yourself on the equipment" and keep your back straight, I was told only once by a staff member that it was because ,While working out, your heart is working harder to pump the blood through your body, and therefore you do not want to put any undue pressure which may casuse a blockage in later years. That same staff member was told off by her manager for having said this. Can anyone on this forum tell me the REAL reason?

Hello girls :) I started Curves about a month ago. I have gone a total of 11 times and I have already lost inches! I have gained some weight (which I know is muscle becaue I have gotten tighter.) I was the biggest skeptic at first with the belief that I wouldn't get a good workout, but now I am a firm believer! I finally feel like there is hope for me. I am only 36, but extremely out of shape. I gained a ton of weight trying to manage my horrible pms through natural hormone therapy. I also gained more when I had my gallbladder removed two years ago. I have never been as out of shape as I am now, and it's so encouraging to read all the comments on this site from all the women who have seen results. I guess what I want to know is can you go 5 times a week without bulking up, or is it necessary to skip days to give your muscles a break? I would like to go 5 times a week to see faster results, plus I love going! I have read that if you go 5 times a week you should only workout hard 3 of those times and take it easy the other two days in between, but does anyone have experience with going 5 times a week without negative results? Please let me know. I will be looking forward to your response. Thanks! Kat

I used to be okay, but I had my first child at 16 and just had another one 3 months ago. I am now 20 and very overweight. It's like everytime I have a baby, I lose the weight when I get out of the hospital and then gain it back so that I weigh the same as I did at 8 months pregnant. I am now 5'2 and weigh 190 lbs. Yeah, I know, it's awful. I have been seriously thinking about going to curves, but unfortunately my money is limited. Does anyone know how to significantly lower the up front fee? Also, how much is the monthly fee? Do you think it will help me lose the weight?
Thanks, Aubrey

Aubrey, I'd say you should call up your local curves or drop in and ask if they have any specials running. Curves nearly always has some "deal" on to cut the start-up fee, and sometimes even the first month or so. I know that the Curves I work at is starting another special on the 15th of this month.. Definitely, you should check into it. See if you can find a free week coupon somewheres... and give the place a try!

I am a television producer working on a story about women who have actually sustained injuries at curves because they are not properly trained and are not doing the exercises properly.

Has anyone had that experience that would be willing to talk about it?
email me at etnolan@boston.cbs.com

I really enjoyed Kyle Battis' write up. I think Curves would be better off with Weight-based equipment, but they use lower-cost hydraulics. This makes you have to work faster to get more resistance and work your way up. Weights seem to me a much better way to go. I think several of the other women's gyms use weights.

TO: Elsie Nolan
Why don't you make your story more interesting by not focusing on just one club or program. I was a member of shapes for a year and was given a walk thru on my first day to see what they had but still had no idea if I was properly using the machines after a year because I was never approached one way or the other. I'm sure if you asked to talk to anyone that has encountered problems thru exercise you would get a full story with out focusing on any certain company that is actually helping some or most. Read all the above and you will see that if nothing else curves has made most of these women feel better about themselves and there day. In most cases they have reached there goals or are close. As with any work out program at home or in a gym people should ask or look it up if they are unsure of their possition on a machine to make sure they are using it correctly for their own safety.
I like what I have read here from these ladies and will be at my local Curves tomarrow to sign up!

I've been a member of Curves since June, 2005. The draw for me was that I needed an aerobic routine to build my lung capacity, as I am a severe asthmatic, but because of the allergens in the spring air, walking was not an option. I had tried co-ed gyms, but got frustrated with the 'meat market' attitude and the long time it took to get through a routine if following body-builders through either a circuit or using free weights.

Very quickly, my lung capacity increased. I will never regret starting out with Curves for that reason alone. I did lose about 5-7 pounds, but I wasn't overweight to start with, so that was not the draw for me.

My deepest regret is that I signed a one year contract with the organization. Unfortunately, there is not a chance that I will be able to continue with the Curves routine for another 7 months. Sadly, I haven't been back in a month; and the thought of having to get myself to the location just to do the same old excruciatingly dull routine for 30 minutes feels like torture.

I am totally bored to tears with the routine; most of the equipment squeaks and groans, and has for months. I always wish I'd taken a can of WD-40 with me, but maintenance of the equipment wasn't in the contract. The location is so small, that you can barely do any type of leg extensions or kicks on the recovery pads without booting the person or the machine next to you! There is no room for a pectoral machine; and only three people can do a stretch/cool down at one time without flopping on top of each other! When I signed the contract, I didn't know that each location was different.

I would advise anyone who is considering a long-term membership with this organization to seriously consider just how routine and dull this type of fitness centre will ultimately become as your fitness level increases. There doesn't seem to be a significant way to modify the routine so as to challenge your fitness level as it improves, and eventually your muscles get as bored as your brain does.

I would do just about anything to free myself from this contract.

I have been a member of Curves since August of this year and so far have lost 50 pounds and 32 inches! Anyone who only gives any program one week is not ready for a lifestyle change, which is what you have to commit to in order to improve your life. I have never received anything but encouragement and help from anyone at our Curves. I still have 85 pounds and who knows how many inches to work off and am looking forward to doing it at Curves. By the way, we also have many ladies who not only have lost weight and improved their health at Curves, but also are able to maintain their new lifestyle and weight loss there. I credit them with helping me to save my life!

I belonged to Curves for a year and have let my membership expire. I have mixed feeling about the place. On the plus side, it was a fast, easy-to-do workout and I did feel good afterwards. The bad? I'm a nice weight (BMI right in the middle of "average.") so I joined to increase stamina and muscles -- but the chirpy staff would keep harping about weight loss. The attitude was a little condescending, applauding when I lost a couple of pounds, a little "you can do it, girl!" like Denise Austin on TV, if you know her. I would go and push the machines HARD and barely get my heart rate up past the normal. I'm a forty year old woman, not an athlete, but I have maintained my numbers (cardio, weight, muscle)even after I stopped Curves and started walking the dog more often and lifting a few dumbbells at home. THEN I got a letter from them with a printout of my data thru the year, and a personal note saying that they miss me and I would have lost more weight if only I had visited more often! I'd recommend Curves for women over age 50 or so, who are sedentary or at least not athletic. They seem to really improve their health there.

I have read all the posted comments and even copied the comments of Janice Perry to read and explore. I have been a member of Curves for over 3 years and what they call a Fitness Technician for the past 6 months. I originally began at Curves as a continuation of physical therapy I had been doing for almost a year after surgery to repair my left shoulder and wrist following an 8 foot fall from a ladder. I was overweight and have been most of my life but my original goal was to get back as much mobility and range of motion in my left arm as possible. I achieved that goal long ago. During my first year I only lost 5 pounds (I made no changes to my eating) but also lost 2 dress sizes. During my second year, as my wedding approached, I began Dr. Phil's Weight Loss Challenge eating program and worked with the Fitness Technicians at my Curves who helped me further tone and lose another 2 dress sizes. After the wedding I got lazy, slacked off, started making poor food choices and didn't go to Curves much. I gained back those last two dress sizes in 6 months. So Curves does work for me when I go.

As a Curves Fitness Technician I can tell you that I personally take my job very seriously. I do not tell any new member she will lose a lot of weight by doing our circuit. I tell her she will fell better being active, tone a bit and exchange some fat for muscle. My Curves has 13 machines. Our members go around the circuit 2 times. They are strongly encouraged to stretch after the circuit but we can't make them. Recent studies I have read say there is no benefit to stretching before exercise so I don't encourage this but our members are more than welcome to do so.

At a first work out I take the new member through the circuit once as I demonstrate and explain how to use each machine. The new member follows using each machine after I do. I then correct her positioning and use of the machine and answer any questions she has. The second time around I watch her, give feedback and answer her questions. I stress that she is not expected to remember everything she has been told/shown and that we (Fitness Technicians) are always there for her - all she has to do is ask. So far every lady I have ever trained in this way comes in the next time (and any number of times after that) and askes me to go around the circuit with her and I do. It's my job and I love to do it. I want my ladies to get the very best work out they possibly can. I also go through the stretches with them. And I modify any machine exercises necessary for women with specific health issues. Some machines need to be skipped by some ladies because they just put too much pressure on a weak lower back, etc. But this is very rare.

I encourage my ladies to tell me if they are having any health problems at any time. This often comes up at the monthly weigh and measure. I often strongly suggest they see their doctor. I have had members who needed to be on thyroid medication, whose "heart burn" required angioplasty and who needed medication for high blood pressure. I am not a doctor but I can listen and advise people to go seek help. Sometimes they just need somone to give them a gentle push.

Curves is a social contact for a lot of our members. They need it, they enjoy it and we love to provide it. As one of our members likes to say, "Individually we are smart. Together we are brillient." You would be amazed at the numbers of "problems" we solve on a daily basis and we have fun and get fit at the same time.

Regarding the machines being too easy for those who are more physically fit: The harder/faster you work the more you sweat. The official Curves philosophy is that more repetitions means more work means a better work out. Some of our members work really hard and fast; others don't because they can't. But if you have ever seen a women with MS who could barely get in the door the first day start to stand up straight, walk more briskly and just feel better you'd know for sure that this works for a whole lot of women who wouldn't be caught dead in a co-ed, weight lifting gym.

At my Curves we move our machines around once a month to vary the routine. Every Wednesday we go "backwards" on the circuit to attempt to foil muscle memory. And our owner maintains our machines so they don't get too stiff, squisy or make noise. If these things are happening at your Curves let management know. They can't fix it if they don't know it's broke. ;-)

Curves does have a weight loss plan. It works for some women. My club recently finished a 6 week course in the plan. There were 30 women in the class. They lost over 200 pounds collectively. However, the program does not work for me. It's too limited or I'm too bull-headed. I go to Weight Watchers. That works for me. Curves is not meant to be a one size fits all place.

I would also like to say that at my Curves we do tell everyone who signs up about the year commitment and the up to 30 days it takes to stop payment if they decide to quit. At other gyms (in my area) the first,last and sign-up fees are all taken at sign-up so there is no 30 day wait if you quit. Curves just does it differently. Please, ladies, read your contract before you sign it and ask questions. For those of you on a budget I hear you. Curves runs specials all the time. Don't sign up if your Curves isn't having one. You've waited this long to start exercising a few more weeks won't matter. Call and ask about current specials. They are not a secret.

Finally, if you don't like the techs or other members at the Curves you attend get a Travel Pass from your Curves and go check out other Curves Clubs until you find one that fits for you then transfer to that club. It costs nothing to transfer. Any member who as prepaid for a year or who is paying by having money taken from their checking account or credit card on a monthly basis can get a Travel Pass (good for one month) any time they want. You can get one every month! I use mine when I go on vacation. It's one of the great benefits of Curves that most other clubs don't offer.

I loved Cuves as a member and love it even more now as a Fitness Technician. It works for me and for almost every lady who joins. But it won't work for everyone. Nothing will. One week "free" won't really show anyone any results of any kind. The most important thing for women is to keep moving - any way that works for you. Find something you like and like they say at Nike "Just Do It".

I would like to know if there are some pregnant women who still workout with curves, or did you have to put it on hold while you were pregnant. My doctor said that I could, but I don't think she knows what the workout entails. I don't want to increase my changes of miscarraige.

J - although my answer is not Curves-specific, what I know about exercising during pregnancy is that you are not supposed to do any exercises in which you are lying down (crunches, some leg exercises), because that position can compromise blood flow to the baby. You also shouldn't work the abdominal muscles in other positions, for the same reason. Doing weight exercises for the rest of the body, in which you are either standing up or sitting down, is ok.

Another concern since Curves is a circuit workout is your heart rate. You don't want to go over 140 bpm at any time. So I'd buy a heart rate monitor (there are some very cheap ones on Ebay) just to be on the safe side.

J -

The Curves I used to work out at had at least one member that was pregnant, and the owner of that franchise was herself pregnant, and both of them worked out, but at a lesser intensity. Talk to your doctor about the types of exercises done at Curves, and talk to the people that run the franchie you workout at. Something should be workable.

---

I was only able to attend Curves for about three months before personal issues forced me to quit. Because of the nature of the issues, they tore my remaining drafts up and released me from further obligation.

I'm hoping to rejoin within the next few months because I did enjoy it.

And because they are franchises, who runs the place makes a BIG difference. I was lucky to get one with very nice, very understanding, very HELPFUL people. So if you don't like the one you're at, shop around until you find one you do.

I worked at a Curves for six months. I'm sorry to say that I do not think this program is very beneficial at all, at least for younger women. I weighed and measured many women who were very disapointed with their results, Curves is just not a rigorus enough workout for women. Especially women who want to see results.
Another joke, is the six week solution weight loss program that they offer a few times a year. It is way too restricted and they do not take into consideration diabetic members who can not be on a high carb diet. Take my advice and do not waste your money on that program.
I also agree with the belief that Curves has turned into a huge social hour. The women who come in for the most part are more interested in the gossip with the other ladies than they are in their workout. It's good to have that comradary, but it is really taking a toll on their results.
I will say it once more, Curves is not worth it.

I have been a member of curves for 4 months now. I love
it and go everyday if possible. I lost my husband in
July so this has been a great outlet for me. I have lost
weight, which was not my main goal, but the best part is
the inches I have lost and dropped a dress and pant size
the first 6 weeks. It is very addictive for me and when
I miss going one morning I feel my day is not off to the
best start. I have made a lot of new friends also. I would recommend it to anyone who want to get in better
shape. You have to go more than a week to reap benifits.

I have been a Curves member for almost 3 years. I also worked at Curves for 1 year. I have not always been the most motivated member but I have been successful in losing about 60 pounds and several sizes--and kept it off!
I have been reading through these comments and find myself getting a little angry. Curves is what it is. It's not a weight-lifting gym; it never pretended to be. Curves isn't for everyone but neither is Gold's or Bally's. If you didn't like Curves for some reason, that's not a problem but please stop making all sorts of negative remarks about it that may deter someone from giving it a try. Even if Curves doesn't burn as many calories as other fitness programs do, for a lot of women, a little is better than none.
I also want to address some of the comments specifically for those that are interested in an educated opinion. "Kim" said the 6-week program was a joke and too restrictive. Curves has 2 food plans: a low-calorie, balanced plan and a higher protein, low-carb plan. I used the low-carb plan as diabetes runs in my family and carbs are the enemy when it comes to diabetes. I found the menu options very diverse. Everyday there was something different and there are many substitutions if you don't like something. I am the worst procrastinator and hate to cook but even I was able to find good food choices that even my whole family enjoyed, including 2 young children.
Regarding the machines: the machines are hydraulic. I don't think that this means they are "lower cost". The hydraulic system is actually safer than weights. I don't remember the stats. but the number of severe injuries is incredibly higher in weight rooms than in using hydraulics. Plus, with the Curves equipment you get double resistance (each motion provides resistance, not just one with weights) which allows you to work out in less the time with the same results. For instance, with the bicep curl machine, when you lift you are working the bicep, when you push back down, you are working the tricep. If you were just using dumbbells, you'd just work the bicep since there is no resistance on the down motion.
There was also someone complaining about her Curves being too small to do anything on the boards. These stations are called "recovery boards". That means that when you are working to get as many repetitions as possible on the machine and bringing your heart rate up, you use the recovery board to walk your heart rate back to the normal range. Your fitness consultant should have explained the target heart rate chart on the wall and explained what the recovery board is used for. I see so many women running, jumping, etc. on the boards. If you are using the machines correctly, you will not have the energy to run on the boards!! You should feel completely drained in the 30 seconds on the machine but should be able to recover in the 30 seconds on the board.
Curves, like any other program, is only what you make it. If you don't like it, talk to your Curves employees to make sure you are doing it right. If you don't feel your Curves is well maintained or the employees are not well trained, email Gary Haven at the Curves Int. website. They can help you find another Curves in your area and hopefully get the franchise owner to "shape up". As franchise owners there are many rules they need to follow; if that isn't being done at your Curves, the ownership will be disolved. Curves is very clear to their owners that things will be done thier way so that all Curves are universal so that all memebers will be able to get the most out of thier half hour--and the most for their money. Find a solution to your problem; don't just take your bad experience and make it terrible for everyone else. Curves is a great program if you are willing to do it as it was designed to be done. If you are trying to make it something that it's not, it won't work for you...

I joined Curves two years ago mainly because I needed motivation to work out after getting bored with my at-home DVD workouts. I felt that being around other women would keep me going, even though I was familiar with and used to the concept of aerobic weight training and machines, but I did'nt feel I was "in shape" enough to compete at a regular gym with all the jocks and 20 something year old gym babes. I quit after 2 months for the following reasons:
1. Boredom with the same routine over and over. The machines were not sufficient once a plateau was reached. The instructors (basically a few untrained older women who needed a job ) told me to just "do more reps" on the machine. I have been doing strength training and body building with a personal trainer as of late and after doing much research, what Ive found is that the key to a better body is less reps with greater weight using free weights, bars, etc. One has to push the muscle beyond endurance and to "stress" it in order to build it, not by "doing more reps", but by increasing the weight. Curves workout machines do not accomplish this whatsoever.
2. Even though I was in my mid 40's, I found the environment to be superficial; Trivia questions, silly games, gossipy women, cliquish. It was more like a bad church social than a serious workout.
3. I have seen women that I knew from this program recently and even though they are still involved in Curves, they are as large as ever. Somethings wrong with this picture.
4. The nutritional information was inadequate to say the least.
I feel that Curves is an over hyped marketing ploy based on outdated, inadequate and just plain false information
in order to get sedentary, older women to buy their product. Apparently its worked, but Ive also noticed that the Curves "Hype" seems to be dying down as very few people are actually see results aside from "feeling better". One could take prozac and achieve the same results of "feeling better" for a lot less money. Building a better body is not easy, but the Curves hype has appealed to the "instant, make-it-easy" mentality of our society.
The ONLY way for someone to effectively lose weight is to gain muscle through intense strength training, lose fat through aerobic conditioning and utilizing a high protein low fat lifestyle. Even though Curves claims to do this, it has been my experience that it falls far short of its goals.

I joined Curves for what I thought would be an intense workout. What I got instead was a clicky coffee clotch with out of shape grammas and housewives who were more interested in the latest gossip than in really exercising. Lets not mention getting stuck behind the lard butt who takes forever after the "ding" to move to the next station, thereby wasting 20 seconds of your interval because she can't get her large butt off the machine quick enough, but OH BOY isn't it great because she hasn't moved in years and she lost 2 inches in a month thereby decreasing her size from a small yaht to a cabin cruiser. Then we have the annoying so called "instructor", standing in the middle of the room blurting out motivational quips that would make Stuart Smalley cringe. Wow, I really needed to hear fat gramma sally tell me how great I'm doing and to keep up the good work, especially since I was about 5 sizes smaller than her and had been working out since my early 20's. I think I'll go back to a REAL gym.

After reading many of the comments from women regarding the weight they have lost, I have to question what "kind" of weight is being lost. One can lose 10 lbs, but is it actually fat that is being lost. Say you have two individuals...one weighs 170 lbs with a body fat index of 10%, while another weighs in at 135 with a body fat index of 20%. Even though the 135 pounder weighs less, she is actually "fatter". The problem with curves is that the type of weight or inches being lost is never calculated, so one could be losing water (which occurs rapidly within the first weeks of dieting and exercise), or possibly lean muscle mass. By losing lean muscle mass you actually slow your metabolism, since lean muscle mass burns fat more efficiently, and you gain more fat. The only way to gain a substantial amount of lean muscle mass is to push the muscle to the point of failure using resistance and weights, and keeping your protein levels high...generally 1 gram per pound of body weight per day. The Curves machines do not push muscles to that point progressively and thus a plateau occurs in which the muscles have done the same thing over and over and are not being pushed to grow any further. Doing more reps, faster is not a solution. The key to fat loss is substantial muscle increase along with an intense aerobic routine. I suppose Curves is good for women who have led a sedentary lifestyle and need to get out of the house... and it introduces them into the arena of healthy living, but it maintains an "easy cookie cutter" approach to exercise and dieting which leads to false information and false hope. I DO believe it gives some women a false idea in thinking theyve lost inches or pounds without calculating what exactly it is they've lost.

I joined Curves in 9/05 and since then have gained approximately 4 pounds. I work out there 2-3x a week to supplement my "regular" routines at home consisting of aerobic exercise/yoga/pilates and recumbent bike riding.

I think that the recumbent bike has bulked me up (didn't really want that) and Curves has honestly done little or nothing in firming my body.

I'm disappointed but will continue to go in hopes that something may change. Besides, I've paid for an entire year already.

I do feel it's a decent work out program for older, more sedentary women. But, for 20-40 somethings who exercise on a regular basis it isn't very stimulating.

I joined curves. I paid the money up front around $175 in Canada for a month. And I found the same thing as Lori, a whole lot of upper middle aged women who would rather give you dirty looks than talk to you and the staff was actually worse. I couldn't ask them a question without them getting bitchy and irritated. And to top it off I did write the letter after my one month of going and hating it and they still tried to pry 6 months of payment from me!!!! I told them where they could go. Now I walk and thanks to a heaven sent elderly friend of mine inherited a complete home gym system so now I can do my own weights at home without dealing with nasty people as I do it.