Tell me about Curves

Hi Ladies,

I desperately need to lose weight and get in shape. My upper body strength is almost non-existent and I've gained over 20 lbs this past year (which puts me at 100 lbs overweight for my height!) I also have high blood pressure which is marginally controlled by medication. I've also had sciatic nerve problems and have a bone spur in my heel which makes walking painful sometimes.

I've seen a lot of ladies talking about Curves, and found a location very near to where I live, but I was wondering if anyone could give me some idea of what the programs are like. How expensive is it? Is it difficult to do or stick with? I have a very busy life with teaching at our community college and attending classes at the University for my Master's degree, so need something that's not going to be time-consuming, but that will work for me.

Thanks and s,

Lisa

I joined Curves in October during Breast Cancer Awareness month when they waive the registration fee, then it's 29 a month. Check out the hours of your Curves to see if you can actually get there 3 to 4 times a week. I am at least 100 pounds overweight and am beginning to understand the term "morbidly obese". I am now on high blood pressure meds for moderately high diastolic pressure, and am told am verry near to having adult onset diabetes. I love Curves. They have machines set up in a circle. Each one works on a different set of muscles. In between, there are what I call "bounce boards" where you can jog in place, do jumping jacks, dance, whatever, just keep moving. There is music playing, and a voice will announce when it's time to move to the next stage, and when it's time to take your pulse (which I can never find). You move around the circle twice (at least) and it takes anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. There is always a staff member to show you how to use the machinery and to offer encouragement. If you want, they have a diet plan and a logbook you can purchase and there's a magazine to which you can subscribe. They don't push their products. Hope this helps.

Love Curves been a member for a year there all set up pretty much the same except the larger ones with more members have more machines, the one I belong to is up for a new machine if we get 40 more new memebers we currently have all with the exception of the new one that just became available. One thing I like about it no matter where you are you can walk into any Curves and workout (get a pass) this allows me to work out when I go stay with my mom in her town. I went for 5 months before I was in to much pain to go, had the Hyster in Sept and just recently went back. I feel much better when I workout if only twice a week I can tell the difference, if nothing else it is a great way to get your self motivated and great stress buster. Only takes 30 minutes to work the circuit but like anything else you have to make up your mind your going to do it and stick with it - once you start going you will love it - check it out!!

O did I mention I lost 30 lbs this past year - another good reason to check it out.

About 15 years ago, while in college at night with two small ones at home, I couldn't afford to join a gym, so I bought exercise videos. Have been doing them ever since. Introduced myself to yoga and pilates that way about 5 years ago. Best investment I ever made. Helps me control my weight, strengthens my body and curbs the stress. I'm pretty busy so doing a workout at home fits my lifestyle. I do them in the evening an hour after eating dinner. My kids do them with me too, and friends have been known to join me now and then. I highly recommend it.

Have you tried a cortisone shot for the heel spur? I have one that first gave me problems about 12 years ago and in all that time have only had 3 shots administered. The injection hurts like crazy, but the results are fantastic. Losing weight will help tremendously...

Also, I joined Weight Watchers online about 3 years ago for about a year. It's affordable and easier on the schedule than running for meetings, though having someone weigh you in person is definitely an incentive. I managed to lose 30 pounds anyway.

Hi ((((Lisa))))

Hey, I can tell you all about Curves.... well, what I know about it: I just joined today and am going for my first work-out training tomorrow However, I was attending a PACE outlet that pretty much works on the same basis.

Curves is a program where you do a 30 minute circuit workout. The workout includes weight machines and rest/cardio areas. This ensures that every muscle gets worked out out and that you get to rest in between the machines, while at the same time pumping out your cardio.

The machines use a hydrolic resistence system so that you control the resistence: you can never outgrow the machines!!!!

Furthermore, Curves is for women only. What this means is that women go there to exercise, not to flirt with jocks, not to get noticed and to show off. This type of work-out is actually proving very beneficial: you work out at your own rate, in a pleasant environment, without competition. And all the muscles get worked out. And you also get a bit of a cardio work-out.

Does this help?

By the way, here's the link to the "Curves club" forum, where it's all about Curves: Time for Curves

{{{{{{{{Lisa}}}}}}}} I love Curves! I have been going three times a week since Sept. of 03 and lost 56 pounds and 31 inches. Try it; you will love it I am sure!!!! Best thing I ever did for myself!



Emily

Hi Shashi,

My girlfriend who is 42 years old and a mother of two loves Curves. Let me say this, for years I have been trying to get my girflriend to join a gym, but she just wouldn't have it. Then one day she told me she joined Curves. I thought this was great because it's an all women gym and it's great for begininners who have never worked out before, especially w/in a gym atmosphere. Well, let me say this, my girlfriend has been going to Curves for over a year now and you should see how much she has shaped up. What is great about Curves is they teach women how to do a full "Circuit Training" within a 30 minute time period. You start off warming up, then you begin on one machine and begin doing as many reps as you can, then you're told to switch, then you move on to the next machine and begin doing as many reps as you can and so on and the idea is you keep going until you have completed the entire row of machines in 30 minutes, each machine focuses on a different body part. If you have never worked out before and are afraid of gyms, then I highly recommend Curves. It did wonders for my girlfriend who like I said above, never worked out in her life, especially in a gym atmosphere.

Good luck!

Hiya Sashi! Aside from the information everyone is giving you here, I'm not sure what side of town you are living on, but I was a member of the Curves on Cedar Bluff (& KP) ... if you'd like to know anything about that particular facility, drop an e-mail.

I believe all of the ones in Knox are owned by the same gal, and she is great at ensuring members get what they need from her facilities. (I think she's the regional in this area too ... I forget!)

BSQ

I may look into joining Curves myself. I have heard sooo much about it and have resolved that 2005 will be the year that I get in gear! While I'm not overweight, I am very out of shape, and I'm hoping that getting fit may just possibly help with some of my digestive and pain issues.

You can do a search at http://www.curvesinternational.com/ and find the locations that are near you. I found that there's one not even a mile from my house!!! I may just drop in sometime in the near future to check it out.