What's the deal with Curves?

[grace0418]

I was going to join Curves because it's really close to my house, it's pretty cheap and I don't want to go to some gym and be surrounded by people who are just there to look hot and pick up dates. But I've read that the founder of Curves is a big fundie repuke who gives money to anti-abortion groups. Obviously the franchise owners are probably of all different ideologies but he still gets a franchise fee and uses that money for his evil causes.

What are your opinions of the mattter? Have you heard or read any other information? Thanks!

[Fenris]

1. I wouldn't give money to a rabid anti-abortionist.

Just sayin'.

But that's me. And I'm not a woman. Nor do I want to join some sort of exercise programme. So there's that. :hi:

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. Here's our entry for them at the Progressive PAges.

I wouldn't give them a dime. Join a nearby YMCA instead.

http://www.globalblogs.com/cgi-bin/tseekdir.cgi?location=Root-Sports_L2K_Recreation

FSC

[grace0418]

3. I guess I should also ask

if this is even true. I've only heard rumors about the owner, but maybe they're not true. If anyone has any info I'd love to hear it.

[CO Liberal]

8. It's True, According to Snopes

An excerpt from their page on Curves:

The text of the e-mail quoted above was written by Jon Carroll, a columnist with the San Francisco Chronicle. It appeared in that paper on 20 April 2004.

The statements made by Carroll in those three short paragraphs about Gary Heavin, the founder and CEO of Curves, hold water for the most part. Heavin (pronounced "Haven"), is a born-again Christian who is strongly pro-life and, according to an article on Operation Save America's web site (a pro-life group of a more radical orientation than Operation Rescue, and one that asserts there is a connection between abortion and increased risk of breast cancer), is one of their supporters:

We then contacted Mr. Gary Heavin, Founder and CEO of Curves International. Mr. Heavin is a wealthy man who is a committed Pro-life Christian. He is the premier customer of the bank that sponsors Komen. He graciously returned our phone call and promised to use his influence to convince the bank to give some of the funding to Carenet, so they could take care of the women, instead of Planned Parenthood.

Several months passed and, lo and behold, on Tuesday, September 23rd, in the year of our Lord 2003, Carenet, our local CPC, held their annual banquet. It was the most attended, and as far as I was concerned, the best one to date. At the end, a major announcement and press statement was issued for Central Texas. Gary Heavin made a five million dollar grant to Family Practice, Carenet, and McCap. These groups and ministries would receive one million dollars a year for the next five years.

http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/curves.asp

[johnnie]

4. Yeah

The founder, Gary Heavin is a repug.

[trotsky]

5. Stay away from Curves

Not only does the money go to that stinking right-winger, it's not really a good workout. You'd do better getting into yoga or Jazzercise.

[Taverner]

14. AGREED!

They're 30 minute workout is really nothing - your heart doesn't go up to where you need it (at least 65% of your MHR) and it won't build strength/muscle.

ANd they're stinkin repugs...

Better to join a gym and do aerobics. If you really hate excersize, keep trying different programs until something clicks.

[xmas74]

6. I used the three day trial once

a friend gave it to me.
I preferred the local community center. They had more equipment, they had classes and I could pay as I went. Plus, there was a much more diverse crowd there and I got childcare while I was working out.
And Curves wanted me to pay with a credit card or wanted to withdraw the money from my account while I would have preferred to have paid a full year up front in cash (the fewer people with my account info, the better).
I didn't know about their politics. That's just another reason why I don't like them now!

[flamingyouth]

7. What you've heard is true

Plus his places aren't open on Sundays, and that alone would be a black mark for me. :hi:

[yellowcanine]

11. A fitness center not open on Sunday? Ohhh kay.

[Left Is Write]

24. It is also my understanding that they do not have onsite child care

available. It seems odd to me that a "fitness center" catering to women wouldn't provide child care. Without decent child care, I couldn't go to the gym.

[yellowcanine]

9. The rumor may or may not be true. I generally don't boycott based

solely on the political views of the owner/owners. Now if they are treating their labor unfriendly, busting unions, etc - that is different. However, I mainly don't drink Coors because it is crappy beer. The fact that I am not supporting a bunch of right wing union busters is just frosting.

[CO Liberal]

10. Buy an Exercise Video

And don't give your money to a right-wing wacko.

[emulatorloo]

12. Just go to a normal gym; people are there to get fit, not look down on you

From what I can tell, Curves is a sham preying on the insecurities of women. Look in your area for a more serious gym. At a serious gym, I guarantee you people are there to get fit - not pick up people or look down on you. Most gyms are offering free trials right now.

[Left Is Write]

23. I agree. I was reluctant to join Gold's a year ago, because

I had in my mind the musclebound testosterone playground image that Gold's used to represent.

I was pleasantly surprised. Going to the gym, I discovered a lot of people just like me: ordinary busy adults interested in fitness.

[calico1]

13. Apart from the fact that the founder is

anti-woman, its not a good gym. How can you get a good workout in 30 minutes, 3x a week? That would seem minimum to me. Plus the hours are designed around a stay at home mom's schedule. So they close for part of the day then reopen but only til around 7 pm. At least the ones around here. Go join a real gym. And don't worry about the "meat market" atmosphere. I felt that way too when I first joined but soon realized that there are two kinds of people that go to a gym--the ones that go to pick up or try to pick up someone. And the ones who go to really work out which is the majority. And there are all age groups in all the gyms I have gone to. So its not like you will be the only out of shape person (if you are out of shape) in a gym full of gorgeous bods. Quite the contrary. All sizes and shapes go to a gym. The other option of course is to get some tapes and some equipment on your own. That works for a lot of people. If you go that route start with a good pair of walking shoes and then just go for walks. Then you can add some weights later on and some exercise tapes.

[grace0418]

15. That's my dilema though

I stopped going to my local YMCA because it was so crowded it was out of control (not to mention a little dirty). Then I figured out that if I went at night before I went to bed I could get a lane in the pool and a spot on the bike, until they started closing the pool early and foiled my plan.

I can't really afford all those fancy gyms, not to mention I cannot stand being around the workout himbos and bimbos.

I have an exercise tape, but our apartment is pretty cramped so I can't even do some of the routines on the tape for fear of bashing my head on the corner of a counter or something.

I guess that's why I was really hoping to find out something positive about Curves, but you've just confirmed my suspicions. Thanks though, I can't bring myself to give them my money. I'll have to figure something else out.

[calico1]

16. If you have any decent walking areas

just get a good pair of shoes then go for walks. Even if you have a small apt. you can buy a couple of sets of weights--like 5 and 10 lb ones. Also you can buy resistence bands. Those can be tucked away anywhere.

[trotsky]

18. Jazzercise usually holds classes in area schools/gyms/etc.

My wife, who hates exercise, loves Jazzercise, and has lost weight and gotten in better shape. Look for a class near you:

http://jes.jazzercise.com/jes.dll?JCLS:Index:0

(If that link doesn't work, just go to their main page - http://www.jazzercise.com - and click on "Find a Class.")

[CanuckAmok]

17. All I know is...

the Curves in Nanaimo is in a former greek restaurant. They left the decor the same (the blue/white extreior with the fountains, etc), and hung a very small "Curves" sign in the door.

I just imagine this diobolical plan to lure people there with the promise of a nice big greek dinner, and then **WHAM**, they get jumped and forced to do circuit training!

"Three more shoulder presses, Mrs. Davis, and you can have this delicious black olive...mmmmmmm...olive...."

[CatBoreal]

19. I go to Curves...

...and I love it. I have a lot of fun and I get a good workout (I lost 12 lbs and 22 inches over the first 2 months).

I've been to three diferent franchises and they're all different. My local one is run by a born-again (she wears a WWJD bracelet on her ankle) so there are a few religious/inspirational quotes from the Bible posted on the wall. She also has a CD of Christian Rock that's in the mix.

Now I'm Pagan, and this is definitely not my cup of mead, but I'm there to work out, not to read or listen to music. So aside from convincing me that Yahweh has some serious self esteem issues (according to the music lyrics), I don't find the overt Christian influence intrusive. I have never been asked my religious affiliation, nor been preached to on topics other than the evil inherent in a chocolate eclair.

The other two were completely secular and played rock music - if Cher can be considered rock.

My local Curves is very involved in local issues. We're currently having a food drive for the local food bank and next month we're doing a clothing drive for the women's shelter (my idea). The other Curves I've been to have held fundraisers for breast cancer research, crisis centres and youth programs. They also have an ongoing toiletry drive to help out at the women's shelter.

They do a lot of good at the local level. Personally, knowing that the owner donates to anti-choice causes doesn't bother me. It's his money, he earned it, he can do what he wants with it.

Conversely, it's your money and you can do what you want with it as well. If you like Curves, and want to go, but are upset about the abortion issue, why not then donate or volunteer with Planned Parenthood or NOW or another organization that supports reproductive choice?

Abortion isn't under attack in Canada as it is in the States, so I understand your reluctance. I'm also going to put on my flame retardent underwear, just in case.

Edited to add that I live in a fairly remote area without a YWCA and the only other option is a boxing gym.

[noonwitch]

20. Find a YWCA.

The YWCA sponsors good programs-day care programs for kids, support groups to help women get out of domestic violence situations, gay rights. Some even have drug treatment programs for women in which they can have their kids with them while in treatment. The dues you pay to join the health club there will help support all those other programs.

[colinmom71]

21. There's a similarly themed work out center called "Contours"...

Or "Contours Express" that has recently popped up here in the Atlanta, GA area. They seem to offer a little more in the way of weight training equipment as well as work out stations similar to Curves. I only just recently saw an ad and looked a their web site so I have no knowledge of their general business dealings, political leanings, etc.

Here's their web site if you'd like to check them out... http://www.contoursexpress.com/

[grace0418]

22. Thanks everybody.

I think I'll look for alternatives. I can't justify going to Curves. I know plenty of nasty right-wing businesses get my money whether I like it or not, but I guess if there's an alternative I shouldn't let my laziness get in the way.

[fudge stripe cookays]

27. grace, I love your stuff!

Just checked out your link, and I believe I'm gonna have to buy some of those babies!

FSC

[grace0418]

28. Thanks FSC! I could use the business!

It's slowed a bit and I want to be able to donate more money. I will consider it a big success the first time I see a stranger wearing one of my shirts.

If there's anything anti-BushCo/pro-liberal that anyone would like to see on a shirt or bumper sticker or whatever, tell me your idea and I'll design it for you.

[fudge stripe cookays]

29. PM me with your data

And I can put you in the Progressive Pages as well, when Sappocrat starts doing some data entry again.

Hopefully we can send a lot more business your way!

Here's a sample page to give you an idea of what we're looking for:

http://www.globalblogs.com/cgi-bin/tseekdir.cgi?location=Root-Retail-Progressive_,039Message,039_L2K_Themed_Items

FSC :D

[4_Legs_Good]

25. My wife was a member for a year

and went like 3 times. They claim they'll chop off your fingers if you don't go, but it's BS.

Better to find a gym with a women-only room. Most of them have 'em (at least the biggish ones). And most people who go to gyms (so far as I know) aren't really doing it to check people out or find dates, it just seems like that. The more time you spend in a gym, the more comfortable you'll be and the less you'll feel like it's a big meat market.

I've been going to Golds fairly regularly for about a year, and while some people irritate me, it's been a good experience all around. On the other hand, I'm a guy and it might be different for a woman.

Good luck! Stay away from Curves!

david

[Maine-ah]

26. ya know, I asked this question not too long ago,

and I went and checked 'em out. Man, they are weird. Hours of operation suck. 7am to 7pm m-f. 8am -12pm sat, closed sunday. NO SHOWERS AVAILABLE. Price-wise, it's definitly affordable. I decided not to join up. Found a local hotel with inexpensve membership. But if the hours work for you, and the price is right, and you don't mind driving home all sweaty and stinky, go for it. Even if they support the repukes. There are only so many businesses that you can boycott, especially for some of us that live in small towns where places like wal-mart has taken over. shit, the only 2 grocery stores in town both support the repukes. Hannaford and Shaws. So, do what you have to do, and good luck!