Curves For Women

PhoneCardLady

Can anyone tell me if they have had experiences with Curves?  Was it worth the time?  Did you lose, firm up or both?  Joining Curves is one of my benefits of my insurance, so I don't have to worry about costs.

Also, does your Curves offer Zumba?  I know that it usually costs a few dollars a session.

Starqueg

I looked into the Curves in my area, and decided against it.  When I went in, there was no one my age (under 30) there.  They don't take credit cards for payments, for an annual membership they required that I get 12 bank drafts prepared in advance.  I like that they have you schedule a time to go in.  I hope that would keep it from being too crowded at any one time.  They do offer Zumba, in the evenings I think.  I'm a night student so I would basically never be able to take advantage of that.  

Don't join just because it's free.  If it isn't the right fit for you, you'll never go anyway.

Sarah5200

Weird, I think Curves in Canada must be different than Curves in the US! When I used to go, you didn't need any of that bank draft garbage and they took credit cards. I only had to make an appointment the first time so that they could do their fitness assessment/goal assessment, and then appointments once a month for progress measurements.

I did notice the older crowd there - it was funny, there were actually a few of my dear Grandma's friends that went. But that's okay, I kinda liked it! They're not judgemental and are always friendly

However, I just didn't feel like it was good enough cardio for me. The resistance training was good, but the 30 second cardio intervals just really didn't get me to that spot where I was really sweating and I didn't usually leave feeling like I kicked my own ass. Maybe it was because the music they have playing was so bad! And you have to listen to it because it gives you the signals to move to the next machine/take HR measurement etc. I know some people that really like it though..

If you want to try it out, why not? If your insurance covers it what is the harm? But if you don't really want to try it out and are only using the insurance as the reason for going, you probably won't get out of it what you want to. Hope that helps!

wrigleyville

I didn't like it. I didn't get much of a workout at all. The resistance machines were okay, but there wasn't really any cardio, and it was always so crowded. 

I was able to pay with a credit card every month, but that was back in 2007. Things may have changed.

I think it's great for older women who want to stay limber and get some exercise or those who are just starting out and want to workout in a comfortable gym setting, but it definitely isn't styled for weight loss.

smlane1223

My FSIL lost around 50 lbs attending Curves. She worked out the 3 recommended days a week there and also worked out a couple of other times a week, doing cardio, at home. I joined the same club she did and went to it until it went out of business. I agree that it is an "older" crowd, but I never had a problem with anyone - if anything, they would rather chat than work out. You'll get out of it what you put into it, I think.

PhoneCardLady

Well, Curves is just one option.  There is also Snap 25, which does have more cardio equipment.  I have also been told I can join more than one different club, so if I need more cardio, I could join Snap 24.