Question for the Ladies: Curves gym?

[DreamWeaver]

Anyone belong to Curves? They're popping up all over the place. I was thinking about joining cause its only a 30 min. workout and I have heard great things from people. But I dunno...it seems a bit cultish to me.

I read on some messageboard last year that there were hidden religious messages in the music they play. I know that sounds crazy but it seems odd that you have to do this workout in a circle staring at everyone. And they're really big on you encouraging other people while you're there. I like to be alone when I work out. I don't want to have to tell 300lb Lardass she's looking great and she'll be thin in no time.

But again...the 30 min workout is why I'm considering it.

For those of who who dont know...here's what it looks like

http://www.curvesinternational.com/images/content/image_content_whatiscurves.gif

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[AngelAmy]

my step sister goes there and loves it, i have never been myself so i cant talk from personal experience but i havent heard a bad thing yet. :)

i wouldnt do it because it just seems weird, but look who we're talking about, grabby grabber!!! :-*

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[Tazz]

My girlfriend is a member and she loves it. They liked her so much, they offered her a part time job. Now she is both a member and an employee.

I say try it out. If it isn't for you, you can always leave :-)

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[AngelAmy]

if they give you purple suits and apple sauce, RUN!!!

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[DreamWeaver]

They liked her so much, they offered her a part time job
Ok see that seems strange. Why and how did they get to know her?

I've been to many gyms before and NOONE knew who I was. You just do your thing and leave. No chit chating.

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[fluffernutter]

I was really trying to figure out what this place was becasue a dozen of them just popped up on my route. They all seemed to be in little shopping centres so I figured it was a eatery of some sort. Much to my surprise when I stopped in looking for lunch.

After looking at the circle of women, you can connect all 8 women in a star pattern. An octagram if you will. The octagram or eight-pointed star is a symbol of fullness
and regeneration. Kind of makes sense. Eerie but cool at the same time.

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[mdr55]

I've been to many gyms before and NOONE knew who I was. You just do your thing and leave.

Maybe that's the basis for it. Positive Reinforcement for people to continue to work to prevent them from dropping out. And it's all women, so no prying eyes from the oppopsite sex to make them feel uncomfortable. It's the buddy system.

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[Jennitalia]

I joined one last fall. It's mostly a much of middle aged-senior women there that show up and gossip. They recommend you go at your own pace. But some people dont even work up a sweat. You basically do the machines as fast and as accurate as you can do it for 30 seconds, and then the platform things are used to "recover" for 30 seconds. You can walk or job in place, dance, whatever. You go around 3 times. They suggest that you go 3 times a week, because you need a day off to rest the muscles that you work. The music they play is HORRIBLE. It's mostly remixes of oldies, and some of today's crappy pop, all sung by different crappy singers. The worst cd is their "Broadway Mix." It got to the point where I now sing Broadway tunes in my head.
It does work a little, it all depends on how much effort you exert. But I would recommend going to a gym where you can get a better and varied workout. And you will never have to hear Broadway tunes at a gym.

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[Mike Teacher]

I joined one last fall. It's mostly a much of middle aged-senior women there that show up and gossip.


I'm still trying to figure what the hell this place is. My Septegenarian Mother goes there, but I also know young ladies who go...

You ever see that Sketch; 90% sure it was SNL, where the ladies are eating dinner and excuse themselves [in pairs or group, natch] to go to the Ladies Room...

And through the doors is that Magic Kingdom of Ladies Room's; the real reason why ladies take so long; it's got tennis and food and staff and it was funny as Fuck.

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[Tazz]

Maybe that's the basis for it. Positive Reinforcement for people to continue to work to prevent them from dropping out. And it's all women, so no prying eyes from the oppopsite sex to make them feel uncomfortable. It's the buddy system.


Exactly. Since you are in a small group, everyone gets to know everyone. Plus, with all the chit chatting, I guess the workout seems to go by faster.

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This message was edited by Tazz on 3-26-04 @ 9:51 AM

[Jennitalia]

i'm sorry, but moving around at a snail's pace does not constitute a workout. And that is how the majority of these women do it. If Gina were an old lady, I'd tell her to join. Speaking from experience, I'm begging her not to.

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[Tazz]

I think the fact that my girlfriend's Curves franchise is near VA Tech, and most of the members are female students of the university, may make it a bit different then your run of the mill 60 year old women franchise.

I say look at the clientele and then decide. But it truely isn't an invigorating workout.

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[DreamWeaver]

oops

This message was edited by DreamWeaver on 3-26-04 @ 10:17 AM

[DreamWeaver]

Maybe that's the basis for it. Positive Reinforcement for people to continue to work to prevent them from dropping out. And it's all women, so no prying eyes from the oppopsite sex to make them feel uncomfortable. It's the buddy system.


Exactly. Since you are in a small group, everyone gets to know everyone. Plus, with all the chit chatting, I guess the workout seems to go by faster.
That sounds AWFUL. I don't want to have forced conversation with 80 yr old women while listening to show tunes.
Thanks for the heads up Jenn. I will take a look at the one near me to see what the haps is.

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[Lisa Croft]

I joined with my mother and sister in September. We had all quit by December. At first, you think it's great because they have all these stickers on the wall for people who have lost seemingly staggering amounts of weight in a short time. It's bullshit. I found out this workout is only effective for really fat women who are used to not moving at all. The second they exert a minimal amount of effort, they lose weight, but they're still huge. I would not recommend this for anyone who's looking to shed a few "vanity pounds". I was the only person there who worked up a sweat at all. The boards in between are for cardio... you know... like, you're supposed to MOVE. These fat beanbags just stood there for 30 seconds at a time moving their arms back and forth. Then there are the old ladies who take 15 seconds to move to the next machine, so you lose half your workout time just waiting for them to move their geriatric asses over. You're all excited at first because they weigh and measure you once a month, which gives you the impression that they're confident in their system. The first month, they claimed I lost 8 inches total, but it was like an inch on the waist, an inch on the hips, etc. That's nothing. I saw no difference at all. Then someone told me they lie just to make you think you're accomplishing something. Meaning, they'll measure you at different areas of your waist or thighs, depending on what yields the best result. The music is horrific. The employees were sickeningly sweet... not to mention that they were all FAT. How much credence are you going to put into a gym that has employees in worse shape than you? The only good that came of it was that I gained a nice amount of muscle in my calves from jogging like a psycho on the boards, but you can do that with a step class or exercise bike. NO. EVIL. RESIST.

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This message was edited by Lisa Croft on 3-26-04 @ 1:51 PM

[silera]

Don't hold back Lisa, tell us how you really feel.


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[East Side Dave]

My Septegenarian Mother

What the hell is that?? Is she some kind of lizard-alien-mother?? Some of us our dumb- you keep that smarty talk for the Oxford thread and threads about stained glass, mister!!

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[East Side Dave]

...I was just thinking about it. I say we all go out for ice cream. My treat.

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[scorpion]

Ok

According to the Health Club Industry magazine I get, here is what they said about Curves:

It is the fastest growing club in the industry. The reason is that the club is not for everyone. The main focus is the overweight females population.

The base sets that are done is to get member to begin an excercise routine that is easy and get their heart rate going. The weight you shed is minimal. Once your body adjusts to the routine then you must vary and increase to begin to lose weight. At that point they are suppose to direct you to a gym were you can increase the type and amount of exercises you do.

Its tough for people who are that overweight to be comfortable in a club that has extremely fit people around and are not sensative to the fact that different people need to start at differnt levels.

Part of the membership includes some type of support system to motivate members.




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This message was edited by scorpion on 3-26-04 @ 1:52 PM

[DJEvelEd]

I walked into the one in Bayonne to get pricing for Kristi and the lady was amazed that I had the GALL to walk into her female club. She shook her head and looked at me in amazement the whole time I was asking her for info. She shuffled me out of there so fast that she forgot to give me the price list, giving me another fun opportunity to go back inside and linger longer. We're joining the Dolphin instead.

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[Katylina]

God I love that story, Ed. I am a member of Sportime right now, and I love it. I like to spend hours at the gym, so I wouldn't feel truly fit with only a thirty minute workout-- but that's just me, good ol OCD!

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[JustJon]

My girlfriend is a member and she loves it. They liked her so much, they offered her a part time job. Now she is both a member and an employee.
But this makes us question:

1) Did she lose alot of weight?

2) Did she start a proper diet in addition to exercise?

3) Did she exercise at home in addition to her short workouts at the club?

Somehow I think the answers above are all going to be yes, which is why they'd hire her, as an example as to what they could potentially do as members of the club.

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[furie]

it seems a bit cultish to me.


they perfer the term "organized living"


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[AFRO]

I dated this girl once who joined it. She went out the next day and bought a pair of black nikes and mentioned something about the group watching for a comet. I never did see her again, huh....

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[Jennitalia]

My girlfriend is a member and she loves it. They liked her so much, they offered her a part time job. Now she is both a member and an employee.
But this makes us question:

1) Did she lose alot of weight?

2) Did she start a proper diet in addition to exercise?

3) Did she exercise at home in addition to her short workouts at the club?

Somehow I think the answers above are all going to be yes, which is why they'd hire her, as an example as to what they could potentially do as members of the club.



not necessarily. most of the "trainers" they hire at my curves are all heavy. with the exception of 2 anorexic sisters.

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This message was edited by Jennitalia on 3-26-04 @ 9:01 PM

[Tazz]

Yes
Yes
Does sex count as exercise?

Besides, she is very outgoing and very friendly. I would hire her too.

And no, she is not heavy.

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