Curves Gym: Is it Right for You?

Several months ago I joined Curves. A friend of mine was able to offer me a free one month trial membership. Initially I enjoyed Curves, but about two months into the sixth month membership I purchased, the luster wore off. There were some ups and downs, and now I have decided to find a new gym after my membership ends, because for me Curves is not cutting it.

The Pros

Curves is not the right gym for me, but it doesn't mean Curves isn't right for you. Size up these pros and cons, to see if the workout shoe fits.

Curves is geared toward women trying to get in shape-

Unlike other gyms where you are mixed in with a myriad of meat heads and cheerleaders, Curves is shaped for out-of-shape middle aged women. If you have confidence issues, Curves allows you to workout amongst a group of people who will share your insecurities and make you feel at ease. There is no need to worry about the super hot guy on the rowing machine watching your face grow increasingly red with every wave of cellulose, as he wonders if you are going to pass out, and if he is going to have to try to remember his lifeguard training.

The workout conquers many excuses-

Curves tries to take the pain out of working out. First of all the workout is comprised of sixteen stations. Participants spend thirty seconds at each station. This limits the amount of aggravation experienced while on a strength training machine you dislike. The workout stations alternate between strength training stations, and recovery pads (or cardio stations). The strength training stations are kept at one low weight and participants burn more or less calories depending on how many times they perform the exercise during the 30 seconds. The recovery pads offer low impact resistance stability, so there is no fear of joint injury. Whatever effort is put into a workout at Curves directly effects what results will come out of it.

Convenient Location-

Curves is conveniently located within two miles of my home. Located in a local plaza, off of Rt 6 in Tunkhannock, our home town Curves is easy to locate and has ample parking.

So Why Quit?

The Cons

The Clients-

Unfortunately, I find it difficult to relate to the clients other than my condition of health. If you are looking to meet new people and you are younger Curves is not the place to do it. No offense to women who are middle aged, but I'm not in the same place of my life right now. I am looking for friends to go out with not to swap parenting tips.

The Workout-

The workout is low impact and offers variety. However, this workout easily allows clients to slack off if they are so inclined. Unlike a gym where weights can be set to fifty pounds, and remain fifty lbs no matter what the lifters motivation is, Curves relies on the person working out to set the pace. The principle behind the workout is that the equipment is set at one low resistance, and it is up to the person working out to determine the intensity by completing more reps in 30 seconds. This is unreliable, and if the person working out isn't motivated their workout will suffer.

No time to workout-

My biggest issue with Curves, are the hours. Many Curves locations have limited hours. This is not a 24 hours, 7 days a week gym. It is barely a 10 hours a day, 6 days a week gym. At the Curves in Tunkhannock, PA the hours are as follows:

MON 6 - 12:30 & 3 - 7

TUE 7 - 12:30 & 3- 7

WED 6 - 12 & 3 - 7

THU 7 - 12:30 & 3- 7

FRI 6 - 12:30 & 3 - 6

SAT 8 - 11

SUN CLOSED

Now I work from 8:30-5:30 Monday-Thursday. However, to be fair because my hours are a little longer than most, let's say that you work 9-5 with a half hour lunch at 12:00 or 1:00. Workable workout hours at this Curves location, assuming that it takes you an hour to get showered after your workout, and get to work, are around eighteen workout hours a week. If you have something to do Saturday morning or if you want to sleep in, you can't workout at all during the weekend at Curves, and they break for lunch around the same time most offices do, so that is out as well.

If that isn't enough of a problem, the owner's desire to leave early cuts into these 18 workout hours. She often leaves at 6:30, and has requested that even though Curves hours are posted until 7:00 that if we are interested in coming in to start a workout after 6:10 that we call her, so that she will stay open or tell you if she can't. Why should I have to call the gym and obligate myself to be there at a specific time, if the door says open until 7:00? I called Curves three times after 6:15 two nights ago and received no answer. This is frustrating.

Curves a workout, or a throw out?-

If you are interested in a low impact exercise program, with other average shaped women between the ages of 30-45, and if you can find time in your schedule, Curves is the place for you. However, if you work 9-5, are looking for machines with more serious resistance, and demand reliable late and weekend hours, I recommend a different gym. After my 6 months are over I will be locating a new gym, and ending my membership at Curves.