Curves ??

[spiice]

Curious, what people think of curves exercise stations and their eating program. I am on atkins. I have heard they have an individual program for its members. Not sure the carbs they allow etc. Atkins starts off at 20gram and from what i hear can be overly strict from other carb diets??

If anyone could tell me what level of exercise curves would it be high, medium, low? I was thinking about maybe aerobics or a tread mill... just to compare. Seems with the monthly fees and the 100plus join up fee i can almost pay for a tread mill.. hehe i guess im a little cheap..but if its worth it I will seriously consider it.

Thank you in advance.

Spiice

[Rapvnzle]

I can answer your question about the actual exercize portion. I've been a member off an on for about 2 years. It's as strenuous as you make it. The faster you go.. the harder the resistance. The resting stations can be made easier or difficult by what you do.. either jog in place, arm movement etc. Its the only exercize program that I've liked and better yet.. it's easy to do! I found going to gyms was a little overwhelming. I never knew what I should do, how long.. how much.. this is clearly laid out for you. I didn't buy their new book that's out, but I can highly recommend joining! :yay:

[kimtatt02]

Well, curves is more a strength training exercise and less of a cardio workout. If your looking for high cardio, I don't think curves would be a good idea. But, if you want strength training, curves is the way to go.

[rrmalns]

My mom does curves and she loves it. Shes self conscious about working out around others so if thats a problem you have to its probably a good idea. My neighbor also does it and she loves it. Ive never heard anything negative about curves. Also, sure you could probably buy you a treadmill for much cheaper but your also more likely to work out on a constant basis if your with others and paying for it.

[CarolynC]

I've been exercising at Curves for 4 months and I love it. If you move a lot at the "rest stations" (as I do), I think that there's a significant cardio component to Curves. It raises my heart rate more than walking on a treadmill does.

For most of the past year, my weight loss has been stalled. However, I've lost about 15 inches and gone down a pants size just from exercising at Curves.

[ozziesgirl]

It's as strenuous as you make it. The faster you go.. the harder the resistance. This is simply not true because going faster does not equal better. You would not be working your muscles as well because slow resistance movements work your muscles better. However, I am sure for the cardio part, it would be fine to go faster to work your heartrate. I have a friend who works there and she has already told me that Curves is great until you get to strong for the resistance only your own body weight makes. And the joining fee borders on stupid and IMO the only reason they make it that high is because they know they can get women who are too uncomfortable at the gym to pay it. I am one of the uncomfortable ones but I will exercise outside at night before I have to pay that much. And here in Canada it is 200 bucks, crazy.

[rrmalns]

200 a month? I dont "think" its that bad here. Besides, if a person can find an exercise program that they will stick to, then thats the program thats best for "them". My mom has been overweight for a long, long, time and she loves it and sticks with it , unlike most of the other programs Ive seen her try.

[BlondeGirl]

I go to Curves.

The workout really is as hard as you make it. The easier you work the machines (read: the less resistance you cause) the easier your workout is. If you work the machines harder you get a harder workout. That's how hydrolic resistance machines work.

The resting stations are found between each machine (there are usually between 8 and 12 machines, depending on membership) and can be used as a rest where you walk slowly or to keep your heartrate up you can jog/flail your arms/etc. It all depends on the person and what she is comfortable with.

Since joining I have noticed muscle tone in places I've never seen muscle tone in my life (even when I was 125lbs and far from overweight). I've not lost a lot more in the way of pounds but with the toning and reshaping of my body people estimate that in seven weeks I lost about 25lbs (it was really about 10).

I have a treadmill at home but I'd PREFER to go to Curves than to use it.

So far as the price goes, there is a one-time membership fee. I paid $74,as there was a "special." Pretty much, you need to ask for specials, etc... as there is almost always something going on. Monthly, I pay $29 on a one year contract. However, if I chose to leave before the one year I may and the gym will just charge me an additional $10 for each month I attended and nothing for the months I breached the contract. What else? I got two free months for joining.

There are a couple of Curves threads in the exercise forum you may want to check out if you need more information but, all in all, I think it's a great place, especially for women who aren't comfortable working out in front of spandex-clad Barbie dolls and body builder men.

[MaryToU]

As far as Curves diet goes, you start out with 20 carbs, but they also allow extras that don't count. Such as a drink (which you can buy from them ofcourse) that has carbs in it. But because of all the other "benifits" to the drink, this is concidered a free item. (By the way, its not cheap, and the person who sell it to use gets a commission on it. Just something to keep in mind.)

After the two weeks, they increase you on both carbs and calories. There are four stages to the diet. When you get to the fourth, you stay on it unless you hit a stall. Then the move you back down to a different stage for a while.

One of my friends did this diet, and now works there teaching the program. That is where I get my info from. The diet and exercise program has worked great for her. And she is very happy with it. She has also learned a lot from me :)

[ozziesgirl]

I still do not think there should be a membership fee and if there is one, it should not be that high. Other gyms do not do that so the only logical reason why they do is because they can and women will still go. I am not saying it doens't work, of course it does. But even the people who know about the machines and work there know that it will not work forever, eventually your body will get stronger than the resistance it causes and you won't work it as hard. But for right now, it is an awesome, welcoming, comfortable place to work out but I just cannot afford to spend that right now. For the workout or their diet help.

[CarolynC]

Curves often has membership specials where they lower or waive the fee. I paid $79, but that also covered my first two months of membership. The monthly membership at my Curves is $29, so my effective membership fee was $21.

[Galadriell]

There is a Curves thread with ver four hundreds of posts, here:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=86739

[YukonSun]

Curves is an EXCELLENT way to get started in the wonderful world of exercise.
I was a long time Curves attendee, then helped open one here in my new town.

It is very, very important for your long term health AND keeping your weight off long term to strength train since it raises your metabolism. Aerobic exercise alone will not help you!

I get extremely upset when I see people downing Curves. For a lot of women its that or nothing. For some it could be a great program for the rest of your life, for others (like me) I like to lift heavy and graduated to a regular gym.

I agree the start up fee sucks. But as stated theres almost always a special, and if you tell them you simply cannot afford the start up fee and try to leave because of it, I garauntee they'll create a special for you pretty fast.

Anyone who looks to aerobic exercise only as a weight loss tool (treadmill, etc), ask yourself what your bones are going to mean to you 20-30 years from now? I know I want mine healthy! With muscles to support the rest of me!

Blessings!

[crysania]

I love the diet its become just natural to eat the way I do, there are so many "free" foods that were staples anyways (as a recovering vegitarian lol)
I started in june, I have lost near to 70lbs and I can have up to like 60 carbs a day (though I guess I tend to stay on the low side of 30-40)
As far as the workout .. in the book he outlines how to do it at home if you can't afford to go to the gym or don't want to pay the expensive fees I think that is really cool too :)

[black57]

I go to Curves and I hate to exercise. I always feel stronger when I am done with a session. As of yet, I have not lost any weight but I definitely feel smaller.

[meagan]

Joines curves on Monday and I love it. It's $74 to join and $29 a month. The things I like best about it are:.......You work out every part of your body by changing stations every thirty seconds.(unlike my treadmill) ...It truly is a 30 minute workout.....good music and a cool temperature inside....you see every body type (not just Barbie)....no men watching you sweat...

[cl1969]

Hi

I am in Curves and the cost of it is $45 month. I think this is not a bad price and the start up fee was actually free because they had a promotion on. I think I had to pay the first and last month only. ...which added up to $90.00.

I checked out other gyms in my area and they all had a start up/registration fee to join...it is most gyms common practice.

I find Curves great...like the other people said you get to exercise without intimidation. I have a tread mill too..what I normally do is go to curves 3 times a week and do the treadmill the alternate day. It works out great and every Wednesday night they have inspirational speakers that help.

I only started the low carbing this 8 days ago. I have not weighed myself yet as I wanted to wait for Curves to do that in 1 week time. I follow for the most part their diet. I don't buy their shakes though.

Good luck at Curves....it is fun place to go.

Take care

[Carrie_10k]

Regarding the sign-up fee: I also paid half (about $74) and pay $29 a month. I am a stay at home mom on a very tight budget and it was tough to pay that. However, I thought that it was one of those times when I had to ask "Can I afford NOT to do this?" So I found a way and worked it out.

Every Curves I've heard of has owners that started their tiny business with truly good intentions (they sure don't make a lot from what I've heard). The owner of my Curves is a nurse with full time employment who wanted to do something to help the patients that constantly talked about how helpless they felt with their weight. She is busting her butt to make this Curves work and at this point only dreams of making it profitable enough for her to make Curves her full time job (I don't know when she sleeps!). So, in retrospect I am glad to have paid a bit to assist, because that place is important to me and a lot of women. Though I didn't know I would feel this way when I paid the fee, I now know that it's survival is personal to us, and the money was well worth it.

[3xmommy]

I like Curves..and I feel it's more than a place to exercise..I'm a mom of 3 one of whom has cerebral palsy and I need that time out to talk to other woman..We play little games while we are there to win bucks towards MDSE. I talk to real woman about real things..It's laid back..I like the social aspect of it..That's something that I feel big gyms lack..and as someone posted earlier..it's Curves or nothing for most people..

[CherishJoy]

Does Curves provide on site child care? Believe it or not, I have no one to take my two girls for a half hour! I moved quite a distance from where my friends and family live.

[cajrio]

I joined "it figures" exactly the same as curves but less money :-) plus they offer treadmills, exercise bikes and free weights. I have gone for the last 9 wks and have lost 7inch around my waist and 10 inch from other body parts. I do atkins and I can go as often as I want the days I want to do a hard work out i put the level on 6 (hardest) and the days I am doing cardio i just do it on 2-3
hope this helps.

[black57]

Fi I purchased a treadmill, it would sit in the corner and collect dust because I can go to it anytime. Therefore I won't use it. After 47 years, living on God's green earth, I know that I won't use it. But with Curves, I paid 79.00 to join and they charge my American Express 30.00 monthly. Heck yeah I am gonna be there. If I do not show up to Curves for the year my money is gone. I can pay the same for a treadmill and it will be in my house a year later but I am not getting on it.