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Poll: Join Curves or Buy a Treadmill?

That's the question. I'm moving to a new community and the closest fitness place will be Curves. About 15 min away. Everything else is 30-50 min so really out of the question.

So would I be better off to join Curves or buy a treadmill?

Thanks!


Thu. Mar 27, 10:48pm

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buy the treadmill
at lest you would have something to show for it when you spend the money to get in shape.
The treadmill is more convenient & private .

Thursday, March 27, 2008, 11:23 PM

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Poll: join Curves ect...

Join Curves! I love it. And you will have great support.

Thursday, March 27, 2008, 11:28 PM

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It really depends on your needs and desires. I once went to Curves and I immediately understood that it was not for me. I didn't like the rigidity, I didn't like the limited choice of machines + weights + resistance offered, and I didn't like the absence of mirrors. Personally, I would love to have a treadmill in my house so I could exercise when I wanted to, without driving anywhere. (I'm about to drive to my gym.)
You have to figure out what will work best for you.

Good luck!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 8:13 AM

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BUY THE TREADMILL!!! You can go on at your convenience. And not half to go out in bad weather.

Friday, March 28, 2008, 8:29 AM

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Treadmill

I joined Curves for a few months and was shocked at the lack of knowledge the staff had on basic fitness and how to operate the machines. They manipulated scales to indicate members had lost weight. I was told to spend less time on the cardio pads and more time on the machines to increase my heart rate. The staff has no independent certifucations in fitness..they are certified by Curves and it is basically to push sales and products. I left and went to a "realy gym...immediately lost weight AND put on muscle.

Having said that, if you have no fitness background and this is your first venture to a gym it might be a fit for you. Just be very careful on the machines. I;ve seen women injur themselves on the squat machines at a Curves due to the instructuions given to them by staff. WHen it no longer fits your needs...move on to a real gym. Look for independent certifications in fitness and aerobics held by the staff. Good luck.

Friday, March 28, 2008, 8:46 AM

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The question is your motivation. Do you have the motivation to always have to spend 30 minutes a day going to and from Curves? Sometimes getting there can be an easy excuse for not going (personal experience- but I wasn't really motivated at that time of my life). It would be great if Curves can offer you a "try-it-before-you-buy-it" option. Sometimes they run specials with great options like that. Personally, I find that joining a fitness club works best for me. I stay motivated by seeing other people reaching goals, working hard, learning new techniques and deriving support. Best of luck to you!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 8:47 AM

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The question is your motivation. Do you have the motivation to always have to spend 30 minutes a day going to and from Curves? Sometimes getting there can be an easy excuse for not going (personal experience- but I wasn't really motivated at that time of my life). It would be great if Curves can offer you a "try-it-before-you-buy-it" option. Sometimes they run specials with great options like that. Personally, I find that joining a fitness club works best for me. I stay motivated by seeing other people reaching goals, working hard, learning new techniques and deriving support. Best of luck to you!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 8:47 AM

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The question is your motivation. Do you have the motivation to always have to spend 30 minutes a day going to and from Curves? Sometimes getting there can be an easy excuse for not going (personal experience- but I wasn't really motivated at that time of my life). It would be great if Curves can offer you a "try-it-before-you-buy-it" option. Sometimes they run specials with great options like that. Personally, I find that joining a fitness club works best for me. I stay motivated by seeing other people reaching goals, working hard, learning new techniques and deriving support. Best of luck to you!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 8:47 AM

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I work out at Curves now. What I like about it is I walk in, start the circuit and i don't have to think about what to do next, or if the machines are busy, etc. And I get an overall body workout, not just cardio. You can walk outside. You'll like Curves.

Friday, March 28, 2008, 8:52 AM

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Get the Treadmill

I am in the process now of building a small gym in my home - treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike.

This way I can work out whenever I want on my schedule morning, afternoon, evening, late evening -- whenever.

Also, once you invest in the equipment -- it's yours to keep forever - no paying monthly fees for the rest of your life!

Let us know what you decide!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 10:10 AM

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i bought a treadmill and completely love it. it is the single most important purchase i made for me. i use it everyday, and i can pop on it whenever i want and weather doesnt effect me getting my exercise in, and there is no excuse not to do it either.

Friday, March 28, 2008, 10:37 AM

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KNOW THYSELF !

1. If you are capable of going hard 5 or 6 days a week on your own - get the treadmill (you can grab an old TV-VCR combo and park it in front of that thing and pop in a old moive that you love (or VHS tapes are like $1 now)

2. If you will not workout hard or often ON YOUR OWN go to Curves

Is money a factor ? Treadmill will be cheaper in the long run...



Friday, March 28, 2008, 10:40 AM

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PROS of EACH

gym
pros
- more equipment
- more accountability
- people and mirrors and getting out of the house

Treadmill
pros
- faster
- easier
- cheaper

- - your call on that from where you are at.

Friday, March 28, 2008, 10:44 AM

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Buy a treadmill.

Friday, March 28, 2008, 11:30 AM

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Buy a tredmill, bc if you get off work and your exhausted you are not going to want to go all the way 15 min to the gym with all of those people....this way you can work out as early or as late as you like...its like freedom!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 12:21 PM

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Treadmill all the way! I just got out of my membership...I agree they don't all know what's going on...and really half the people are only there to chat!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 12:38 PM

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I am two weeks away from my one year anniversary with my treadmill and I have certainly got my money's worth. I get up in the morning with my bed head, pull on my old cruddy shorts and Tshirt and hop on. I can vary the intensity by changing the speed and elevation. 3 times a week I do some strength training with a barbell set. Then I shower and get ready for work. No traveltime, no fancy workout clothes, no excuses!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 4:30 PM

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Curves usually gives free trial memberships for a week or two if you ask, at least in my experience. Or you can usually find coupons online. If you have blue cross blue shield health insurance (others too, but that's the one that I have, so I know they do it), there's a website called Globalfit that gives discount memberships and free week-long trials of different gyms, and Curves is one of the gyms that usually pops up on there.

So, after you move (or before, if there's one nearby), give Curves a try for a free trial week or two. If you like it, sign up; if you don't, then buy your treadmill. Nothing lost.

The link to Globalfit is below.

Link

Friday, March 28, 2008, 4:37 PM

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If your goal is to lose fat, buy a treadmill.
If you're not particularly overweight (say, less than 20 over your ideal), go to Curves.

As I know it, Curves is 100% circuit training, which doesn't allow you to focus on fat-burning cardio. Weights have the most visible effect when you're closer to your goal weight.

Friday, March 28, 2008, 4:42 PM

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Buy the treadmill!
I was a manager at Curves and it is better at community than fat burning. In the years I was there I never saw anyone make dramatic differences in their appearance on Curves alone. They were usually doing supplemental classes or personal training elsewhere.
Go for the treadmill!

Friday, March 28, 2008, 10:37 PM

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OP here

Thanks everyone! I think you have convinced me to buy a treadmill. I especially like the thought that I can watch movies while working out. hmm........what better way to waste time without wasting it? :)

Saturday, March 29, 2008, 12:32 AM

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I'd check out curves, you might love it.
I moved to a new area and for a good gym, I'd have to drive 30 minutes. I found Jazzercise and I actually love it. I like the fact it is at a set time and there are people there. I spend enough time alone and if I bought a tredmil, it would be more alone time.


Sunday, March 30, 2008, 10:27 AM

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I actually enjoy going to Curves. I normally work out at home alone, and sometimes it does get boring.

That said, I don't really follow their program of 30 min x 3 days a week. I'm a long term regular exerciser and won't make the drive for less than a 45 min workout. And I add in cardio on at least 2 other days at home.

A circuit-type resistance program like Curves is fun, but I know one needs a bit more to get fit. But if you're like me and skip weight training a lot ( bad me) this is a good way to fit it in. And they always seem to offer a free trial visit - give it a try!

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 1:38 PM

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T wins

The OP has spoken - a treadmill wins.

- Yeah I love the movie watchin' treadmill thing, it is like I am not even working out. Wahoo!

-10:40

Monday, March 31, 2008, 5:27 PM

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Definately a treadmill, you will never "outgrow" that as you can change up your work out so much with one. Years ago I was tempted to join something like curves but now that I 'm in better shape I know that I wouldn't be challenged enough with curves. At least that's what some of the folks who have joined have told me. After a while, it's not enough.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

Monday, March 31, 2008, 5:30 PM

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Depends upon what the OP goals are.
Treadmill = cardio
Curves = resistance training
If you can afford it, how about both? :)

Monday, March 31, 2008, 7:30 PM

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I was wide awake at 1 am this morning and finally just got up at 2 to work out. That's one big advantage for having a treadmill!!!

Monday, March 31, 2008, 7:39 PM

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Are you a self motivated type of person, or do you need someone to help you out?



Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 1:06 AM

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Depends on how discipline you are. If you are self motivated enough to actually use the treadmill in a manner which will truly provide you a real workout other then just a leisurely walk while you watch TV or a movie then that’s great go for it.

I have all 3

A really nice treadmill (which has been great for collecting dust and hanging clothes on)
A membership at 24hr fitness (I’m lucky I only pay 50.00 a year) but rarely go
And finally I joined curves to support my 70 year old mom – I thought what a joke the way they have this laid out after using a gym but to my surprise I have seen outstanding results – I get a much better overall workout in 30 min then I ever did on my treadmill – I’ve lowered my pulse rate – lost inches and weight – and if you travel much you can get a travel pass good for any curves.

Regardless of what you choose make sure it’s something YOU can live with and will help keep you active in your fitness goals.

Good luck


Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 2:04 AM

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Poll: Join Curves or Treadmill?

Ok, I have done both and can only speak for myself but...

I was enjoying curves until one day, I had a lady that I followed in the circuit who was sweating profusely...ew ew ew, not her fault I know, its exercise...but did you ever have to get on exercise equipment that was full of sweat..that wasnt yours??? Well...Im not the type of person to make a fuss and embarrass anyone, so I made a quick white fib excuse of why I had to leave. That was my last curves visit, at least in gym environment, you can clean off the equipment before use or choose another piece.

I say buy the treadmill...I love mine!!!

Good luck!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 2:51 PM

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curves vs. treadmill purchase

I've had both....I ended the Curves membership and stuck with the treadmill. However, it really depends on how motivated you are. Curves is organized and supportive. You work all muscles groups, etc. Personally, I like the convenience and privacy of the treadmill workout at anytime that fits my schedule. I keep dumbells close by for a muscular workout. Good luck!

Thursday, June 25, 2009, 1:26 PM

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Both! I know its not the answer you're looking for....

Thursday, June 25, 2009, 9:07 PM

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I'm curious.. which one did you choose? Are you happy with your choice??


Thursday, June 25, 2009, 9:37 PM

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buy a treadmill or membership at curves

I agree with buying a treadmill. I have had memberships at Shapes, Ymca ect. But, equipment is expensive if you do not have credit and have to come up with the cash. Since it's daylight longer I think I going to just walk around my apartment complex for now.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 10:03 PM

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Buy a treadmill. Curves is a rip off. A real gym, maybe, but not curves.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 10:26 PM

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I vote for you to BUY THE TREADMILL! Better yet, buy a used one. (Try craigslist.com .) The treadmill will be handy. Put it in front of a TV. You will use it. Travel time to and from Curves will waste half an hour of your precious time every day that you go. You will end up very shortly not going there.

Thursday, March 25, 2010, 8:46 AM

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