I like Curves

[hedgehog]

I know it's supposed to be run by fundies, etc but it seems just right for the women around here. We're a rural/small city area, so we're not talking about the wealthiest or most sophisticated group. It's cheap and it doesn't put the pressure on, just encouragement. I see women way heavier than me, women recovering from cancer, women who have 20 years on me. I don't know if I 've lost an inch and I know I haven't lost a pound. I am stronger and I am breathing better which is what counts in my book.

[Roon]

1. Right on,keep it up

My step-mother and sister go to curves and they really like it.

[Broken_Hero]

2. Curves?

I'm at a loss, can you explain? :hi:

[hedgehog]

3. It's a franchise operation aimed at women.

It's very minimal with no lockers and no showers. There are about a dozen exercise machines paired with aerobic stations laid out in a circle. You go around the circle twice, working out on each machine or station for 30 seconds. A recording tells you when to go to the next station. This is followed up by a 12 step stretching routine. It takes me about 40 minutes and the recommendation is to work out three times a week. The machines are all based on hydraulic cylinders, so the intensity of your workout is governed by how fast you push yourself. The faster you move, the higher the resistance and the more repetitions. I try to work up a sweat while other women go around with a friend and chatter away the entire time. There are no mirrors,so you can't check your form, but the attendant keeps an eye on things and tells you if you are doing something wrong.

It's not for people who are really into developing a buff physique, but it's just right for anyone who wants to start an exercise routine.

[Systematic Chaos]

4. You are going to gain muscle, so don't sweat it (pun intended)

:D

You may gain muscle faster than you lose fat, but the good news is the more muscle you have, the more calories you expend even in your sleep. It is a cycle which has a very attractive positive feedback quality. Plus, the easier you breathe as you exercise and the less tired you get at a given activity level, the lower your resting pulse and therefore the longer your life.

Keep doing what you do, and the inches and pounds will start to disappear. That's pretty much a given. :)

I've seen a couple of Curves here in Vegas, and they're NOT in the ritzy parts of town, so I'd imagine they're a nice, affordable place.

24 Hour Fitness is great too, but without a car it's next to impossible for me to get to a club. I would positively flourish if I could hit the weights because I'm almost as wide as I am tall WITHOUT excess weight. I'm going to look into some freeweights instead, I think, and use them in the living room.

[IronLionZion]

6. you can do a lot with just some dumbells

I'm thinking about getting these:

http://www.bowflexselecttech.com/bst_microsite/homepage.jsp



My apartment complex has a set of dumbells and some cardio machines so I stay fit with that for now.

[Katherine Brengle]

5. That's really great --

the main problem I have with Curves is that you outgrow it really quickly -- but it's a great way to get things moving.

[Sukie1941]

7. Curves in So Oregon

I joined a Curves in a very tiny town here in So. Oregon. I live in my RV on a river and have to go only one mile each way to get to Curves.

One and a half years ago I had a total right knee replacement with some problems. I also got overweight from lying on the couch half the day.

I have been to Curves 32 times (that is three times a week) without missing one week. My energy and breathing have much improved, and I have lost inches but not much weight. Most importantly, my right leg is "operating" far better than it did before Curves.

It is true that you have to do "advanced" work on the hydraulic machines so you don't hit a pinnacle, and at my age of 65 and being naturally sedentary, the advanced work is hard for me, thus I have somewhere to go. I used to swim but get swamped in the lap lanes. I used the machines at the local Y but got tired of "being alone" (at Curves, you have fellow exercisers and very attentive "circuit coaches") and very tired of going from room to room, changing weights, etc.

I go to Curves, the routine is 30 minutes including stretching, and I am home within the hour. Seldom leave there without some sweating, so it must be doing some good.