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curves

my parents gave me a membership to curves. i went a couple of times, but did not feel like i got enough of a workout to really make any changes to my body. it did seem like i could maintain my weight and not gain any more if i went every other day as recommended. i wonder if anyone has seen results?

Tue. Apr 11, 10:27am

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I think it's good if you are really overweight or have never really exercised. Otherwise I wouldn't expect to see much results.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 10:53 AM

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I just joined Curves 2 weeks ago, so I cannot yet comment on results other than my improved heart rate. I joined because a new location opened just 2 minutes from where I live and the hours fit my schedule - the convenience beats any other considerations. I gained new respect for the workout when I looked up the calories burned in 30 minutes by some of my favorite workouts - here's a quick list:
--Curves, all exercises in standard circuit, 30 minutes, 290 calories.
--Karate, 30 min, 337 calories.
--Shopping(!), average, including both standing & walking), 30 min, 51 calories
--Walking, 3.5 mph, uphill setting on treadmill, 30 min, 196 calories
--Weightlifting, Nautilus, universal or free weights, intense, 30 min, 196 calories

I make up for any slack feeling in the Curves workout by intensely running in place between the machines, and challenging myself to do as many reps as possible on the machines, and by doing more than 3 circuits if I haven't gotten my heart rate up by the time the standard 3 circuits is over.
In short, you can customize the workout to your needs, but I do understand your concern about results. I'm there to burn calories. If you would rather be building a six-pack, another place may suit your needs better.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 10:55 AM

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Some other information about Curves....

One of my friends really likes it, but I went into the center by my work and think that it's not for me...

She's sedentary and extremely overweight and does NOT like exercise, so it's good for her. I'm pretty active, and like to "feel the burn" on my muscles, so it seems a better program for women who aren't into the more intense weight lifting.

Another thing is that I have read and researched online is that the FOUNDER of Curves supports pro-life causes and because I'm Pro-choice (but not necessarily pro-abortion), it's a concern to me. According to what I've read, CURVES itself is not a supporter of these causes, but their FOUNDER is....
He also does not support Planned Parenthood and the Susan G. Komen Foundation (which funds research for breast cancer)

Yes, I realize that this post may cause controversy, but for those who find such a connection to be troubling, then it may be of concern...

Here's a link to some web pages (urban legend debunking website, www.snopes.com, as well as other newspaper articles that verify the information above statement...(It's also why, for the past 20 years, I have chosen not to eat Domino's Pizza (when it was owned by Tom Monaghan).

As a woman, it's difficult for me to support a company that purports to be "for women" but at the same time limits choices and opportunities for women as well.

http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/curves.asp
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/paynter/180078_paynter30.html
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/06/19/sweating_with_the_enemy/

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 12:29 PM

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It's How Much You Put In

I worked out at a similar style gym and found that you get out of the workout what you put into it. So many women would just go around like they were half-asleep and wonder why they weren't losing. But if you push hard and get more reps and vary your activities in between stations (jumping jacks, run with high knees, tae-bo style kicks etc, anything not just stepping in place), you can get a decent workout. Try a heart-rate monitor if possible, or take your pulse to see if you are getting your heart rate up. The machines won't do the work for you!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 12:48 PM

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I completely agree w/ the 12:29 poster's last statement! right on!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 1:50 PM

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as i understand it, the curves facilities are run privately. so, maybe the individual operators support women's causes.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 1:57 PM

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A doctor recommended to my mother to join Curves after going through breast cancer. She loves it. She stated that she might not be losing much weight, but she does feel better about herself.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 2:03 PM

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I went to Curves for a short time during college. While I didn't think the workout was for me (I got bored quickly), if I remember correctly, it IS possible to vary the resistance on the machines. If you give the machine a harder "thrust", the air compresses differently and increases the resistance. That's what I would do, and it definitely made a difference. It's as if you were using more weight (if they were weight machines). And as long as your keeping your heart rate at your target zone, any workout, no matter how simple it seems, will produce results when combined with healthy diet. I would recommend it for people who aren't used to much activity. It's a great way to get started. I wouldn't recommend it for athletes, current or former, or anyone who's used to frequent/strenuous activity.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 2:28 PM

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i have been going to curves for over a year now. i'm 33 and in good shape. you need to be a self starter to get a good workout. every time i go i really pump the machines and work up a sweat. there are others around me who will never see results because they are too busy being lazy and talking to others. i now enjoy being able to see defined muscle tone in areas that were once flabby. i have witnessed others who have had great luck with the program. some have made it into the local newspaper. for those who are active in curces ask yourself if you are really pushing as hard as you can.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 2:56 PM

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I ran a Curves for 2 years

and I have to say it's primarily targeted for older, obese women. I didn't find it effective or the right environment for non-chatty retirees, honestly.
Also, about the Pro-Life thing. The individual owners have to pay $$$ to start it up, then continue to pay the founder for products and percentages of the memberships. Make no mistake, if you're a Curves member, some of your money is going to these pro-life causes!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 8:00 PM

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founder of curves

i cannot thak enough the posters who informed me of the founder's views regarding the rights of women. i cancelled my membership with a letter and explained why.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 12:53 PM

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Their views make me want to support Curves. Awesome to pro-lifers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 1:33 PM

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I joined a Curves a few years ago and was not able to get my heart rate up. I (along with several other members) also noticed we were not losing weight. One day I came in and they had a new scale. I had weighed myself that morning at home but the new Curves scale said I had lost 5 lbs. I said that was impossible. They said that Curves was working. No other scale showed that weight loss. Everyone who came in that week had lost weight acording to the new scale. I also noticed a variety of instructions to women on how to use the machines. I have worked out on my own for years and am familiar with gym equiptment, subscribe to fitness magazines..yadda, yadda, yadda. What I saw was dangerous form that the employees were demonstrating. There is no independent fitness certification for Curves employees, they are certified by Curves. After II complained about continuing to not lose weight, I was told the only way I could lose weight was to buy their supplements. I also found no employee in this Curves who was certified in CPR or even simple First Aid. I left and joined a REAL gym, have lost weight, put on muscle and have seen LOTS of former Curves members fille into my new gym; they even offer a Curves special so women can work out for free while their Curves memebership lapses.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 6:09 PM

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Pro choice

Thank you for informing us of the founder of Curves. If I were a member I would also quit. I believe in positive and negative reinforcement by supporting business owners who share my values, and abstaining when the values clearly conflict.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 8:17 PM

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i thought of joining curves but decided against it. I had some reservations and an article I read confirmed them. Curves is definately helpful if u have never excercised-it gets ur body moving again. But, in the long run it's monotonous and begins to loose it's effect. basically, if ur working the same muscle in the same way, it eventually gets used to it and doesn't change. So, i would suggest mixing it up with some other excercise.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006, 6:15 PM

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The Curves concept is a good one, unfortunately they people who run it aren't required to be certified in anything that has to do with fitness. They get the same instruction as they give. Which is very different depending on which one you go to. I joined for a year and did lose 18 pounds. I was able to get my heart rate up and noticed I was usually the only one who sweated and didn't "chat". I think you can really get something out of it if you put the effort into it and really push yourself. I think you really have to concentrate on form with Curves. I ended up really screwing up my back and had to see a PT. He told me the amount of people who came to see him after going to Curves was amazing. At the time he was seeing a dozen people with problems from Curves. At the time I was 35 and 30 pounds overweight.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006, 9:11 PM

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I have been a member at Curves off and on since 2001 at four different locations in two different states. For five months I was even a Curves employee. Being an employee showed me how little or how much one can get out of a Curves workout.

As an employee, I was the hardass who forced all my girls to get the best workout possible. Some people just wouldn't handle it, would lazily move the machines, letting leverage rather than muscle power do the work.

I often went to visit other locations and was usually disappointed with what I saw. Employees reading books and completely ignoring everyone who was working out. Employees spending the entire time I was there talking to one or two friends and ignoring the rest of the room. Girls doing the machines lazily or even worse, just plain wrong so that they could easily hurt themselves. That said, there are locations where the employees push you to get the best workout possible. And, yes, we even had current and former athletes getting satisfying workouts at Curves.

The owner of my Curves location paid for all her employees to get CPR and First Aid certified before we were able to staff the location alone. She also got a group together (along with over a dozen other local Curves locations) to raise money and walk in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in Denver last year, Denver being the biggest Race in the country.

Now, I'm not currently a member. I have found that after a year or so of doing the Curves workout, I don't "feel it" anymore. But after a few months of being away, I also find that I crave it again. Also, it's the least boring workout I've found, mostly because it's a smaller location and it's easier to get to know people and have good conversations (or just workout while listening to others' conversations.)

Anyway, I've enjoyed reading this thread. I think everyone should make their own workout decision based on what feels best for them and what will keep them most motivated. Happy exercising!

Saturday, May 20, 2006, 2:58 AM

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interesting to see if things have changed in 2 years at curves. bumping this because of the new discussion on curves.

Thursday, October 30, 2008, 10:07 AM

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Curves Gyms

I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I belong to a Curves faciility where our owner has BA in A &P and a Masters in Exercise Physiology. She trains all of her personnel and we are constatnly being monitored by the staff . We also have Smart Equipment to help us see our progress. I am 50 years old and in very good shape. I joined Curves after having to go back to work 40 hours a week and no longer had time to work out for 1.5 hours a day. I also have a 24 Hour fitness memebership. One Sunday afternoon, I went there and got on the treadmill running between a moderate and fast pace. After one hour I burned 300 kcals. The next Monday I went to Curves and the Smart equipment showed me all the muscles I used and did not use, and also showed me that I burned 475 kcals. After that I was a believer. I am so glad I have a system that shows me I do not have to kill myself to burn a good amoun of kcals and in only 30 minutes. and also shows me what I need to work on.

Thursday, November 20, 2008, 6:55 PM

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CURVES

I won a 2 month membership to Curves 10/07 and have loved it from the start. I have lost over 25 lbs and inches too. My health has also impoved dramatically. I am no longer a candidate for cholesteral lowering drugs. My doctor just as thrilled as I am. I have made new friends, I feel "home" when I'm there and Curves charity work is to be commended. I recently was hired when a job opened up; and am thrilled to be a part of such a great place for my "fellow" women!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 11:13 PM

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Curves

Ok ladies I have read your post about Curves so here is a little advice. Curves DOES work. I joined Curves when I was 27. I was not extremely over weight. I was a size 12. I hit Curves and I hit it hard. Within 30 days I made it into a size 4! I was thrilled. I worked out no less than 3 times a week and no more than 5. But here are the two secrets to making Curves work..... 1.) you only get out what you put in. That means PUSH IT!! The ladies in there that you see going super slow and casually around the stations aren't going to get anywhere. You have to get your heart rate up and keep it up. On the equipment push as hard as you can and on the recovery stations do high then low cardio such as jumping jacks on 1 recovery station and then on the next do squats...rotate it back and forth. Ok Here is secret #2-- you have to eat right. I was always in a hurry so I stuck with Lean Cuisines. If I went to McD's I always got the grilled chicken...MINUS the bread MINUS the mayo. Snacked on almonds (very few), blue berries, plain tuna with sugar free relish on rice cakes and lots of water. I even treated myself to a low sugar fudge pop once a day. OHHHH! I almost forgot.... a Curves protein shake within 30 minutes of working out. And that's it. It really wasn't that hard at all. You won't see results after just a few times. But remember if you don't leave there with a red face and sweat dripping, you didn't work hard enough. Good luck!

Tuesday, May 05, 2009, 6:23 PM

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Susan G Komen

I hate to break it to you, but "they" are NOT looking for a cure for breast cancer...there is more cancer today than ever and millions and millions of dollars have been donated to help "cure" it .....Cancer is big business !
There is, by the way, a cure for cancer...it's called your immune system ! It is an indisputable fact that cancer can not grow in an alkaline environment, so all you need to do if find out what foods to eat ( and not eat ) to make your body alkaline....we all are born with cancer cells inside us and you either feed it or fight it with every thing you put into your body

Link

Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 8:04 PM

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Cancer can't grow in an alkaline environment? RIght. So, uh, I guess there's no such thing as cancer of the small intestine, then. Oh, no, wait. There is. Actually, now that I think of it, I had an aunt, who _died_ of a cancer of the small intestine. Hmm, isn't that funny? Since it's normally basic/alkaline, regardless of what a person eats, you'd expect, by your data, that there'd never be cancer there. Curious.

Thanks for the pseudo-science.

Friday, July 24, 2009, 1:52 AM

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I'm not sold on returning to curves

When I started out at Curves I started to burn the typical calories as an overweight person would. But after 2 to 3 months I started burning close to and now 500-526 plus calories a day each day I go there. I push myself a wee bit too hard and I suppose that's what it may take to burn off calories.

The odd thing about weighing myself was at one point I had lost four and a quarter pounds then the next weigh in it claimed I had gained three and a quarter pounds. I weighed myself today about three times if not more. It yo-yoed between having lost weight and gained weight.

I can't tell if I am actually losing weight despite how much hard work I invest physically into the machines. The hip abductor is giving me grief. Half of the range of motion bars stay lit up leaving the other half to go up and down. I don't want to over whelm the owner, but it annoys me to see that a machine isn't working properly for me. The owner works on the machines, via changing the grease and reflector, but that one machine should be looked at by a professional to try to remedy the problem.

Saturday, May 08, 2010, 3:34 AM

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I'm not that impressed by it. I mean sure, it's a lot better than sitting on the couch all day like I'm prone to do, but fitness wise I think there are better options. What did impress me about it though was the community. I'm part of a small workout group now and we all met up at curves, so it's a great stepping stone I feel like if you need to starting getting in shape, but eventually you'll surpass it.

Link

Monday, May 10, 2010, 12:53 PM

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