Curves For Women

Pros: Works for anyone committed to the program, plenty of support on and offline.
Cons: In my mind there aren't any cons.

Realizing Curves isn't for everyone, I have to say it seems to be helping a huge demographic of women who really didn't have many gym/workout choices before Curves came along.

Speaking from my own perspective, as a 40-ish woman who cringed at the thought of going to a typical co-ed gym - with all the young, affluent hard-bodied men and women who likely never struggled with weight issues in their life-time, Curves is exactly the place for someone like me!

If you want to learn more from others who have joined Curves and are experiencing terrific success, visit http://www.curvesforwomenfitness.com and click on the Curves Community Forum link to find the message boards and more.

Pros: May be suitable for inactive elderly, but high risk of injury without proper guidance.
Cons: Deceptive contracts, horrible hours, inexperienced, rude staff, risk of injury, long lines.

I joined Curves over a year ago, signed a year contract with automatic withdrawal from my checking account. I decided after a month that it wasn't for me. Horrible hours, too social, long lines, inexperienced "trainers" and bad music.

My banking software had been set to accept the electronic withdrawal, and I have just now realized that, 8 months AFTER the end of my contract, they are still deducting their payment from my account. Apparently, they have this sneaky little clause in small print included in the contract which basically says they can continue to withdraw funds until you request IN WRITING that your membership be canceled. This was never pointed out to me, and I received a poor xerox copy of the contract.

Pros: Weight loss, inches lost, more energy, lowered Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Cons: NONE

Curves For Women is the best thing that ever happened to me. I joined almost 4 yrs. ago. I joined Weight Watchers at the same time. My goal to loose 75 lbs and go from a size 20 to a 12. I achieved my goal about a year ago. I go to Curves at least three times a week and Weight Watchers once a week. I have maintained my weight and continue to loose inches.
I have corrected a Cholesterol and Blood Pressure problem ....NO MEDS...
I find that when I do not go to Curves I feel it...ALOT!!
I Love Curves for Women and HIGHLY recommend the program.

Pros: Lost in inches and my arms are bigger muscles
Cons: Didn't lose any weight but some might lose weight

Hi All i am a member of curves for women in pomeroy ohio and I like it. Infact, it is the only thing that gets me out of the house cuz i have to sit and care for my sick finacee. It gets my heart rate up at least 3 times a week and the people are all very nice. They are really working at getting new equipment and members. They have games and all sort of different music. They did arrange the equipment in different spots to make it a bit different which was nice. I too have been losing inches but not weight but then again i don't watch what i eat. So hey if its working in some way or another and i am having fun, I say everyone should at least try it for a week. :)

Pros: They don't seem to last long.
Cons: EVIL LYING STEALING

I joined Curves last year, hoping to tone my body and lose a couple of pounds. They were horrible right from the start. They lied to us regarding payment and contract length, the facility was horrible, the exercises boring, the staff could have cared less what was going on, they sat on their FAT (yes, they were NOT utilizing the equiptment themselves, obviously) butts and played solitaire and surfed the web, the music was dull and I didn't even break a sweat. They wouldn't cancel my membership, despite a medical condition and I found out today, that DESPITE my request to terminate my membership the INSTANT my contract expired, they charged me for another month! And when I called to discuss it, THEY HUNG UP ON ME BEFORE I COULD EVEN INTRODUCE MYSELF. I HATE THIS COMPANY!!!

Pros: quick workout, cardio/resistance training combo works great staff are very supportive, pleasant atmosphere
Cons: does not work your abs

I think curves is a great place if you are serious, dedicated and have reasonable expectations. NO it's not your typical gym but that is obvious as soon as you walk through the door. I joined hoping to lose inches and maybe 5 - 8 pounds. I have been a member for a month and lose 4 pounds and lost two inches from my hips. I never got any results like that at a regular gym so the curves concept has worked for me. I must mention when I am in the circuit I am totally focused and concentrating on the muscles I am working out. I am there to workout and I don't socialize during my workout. The only negative thing for me is the abs. I need to do abs on my own because none of the machines really work your abs which is no big deal. Abs are the easiest to workout at home. I enjoy the workout. Not too easy if you don't make it easy! Work hard, stay focused and have a positive attitude and you will see results no matter what size you are!!!

Pros: fast fun social works for heavier people needing to find a beginner type facility
Cons: not for the fit woman looking for a quick gym, monotonous, no room for improvement.

Curves is wonderful for the (sorry) middle-older aged woman or even younger who lead a sedentary life and need to shed layers of fat. It is a great way for one to get into better cardiovascular shape and tone and meet people at the same time. I agree with other posts that the knowledge of the staff is lacking. I joined a Curves because it was conveinient and I believed I could get a workout in by using their machines and doing the cardio. I did not find it beneficial to me at all. I do think if I had more to lose or tone I would have had some success. Another thing, it can be so boring that they change the rotation to counterclock-wise once a week for fun. It is cold. Too many fans blowing too.
It was a fun environment. We had a theme day once a week where you had to dress a certain way...really social..

Pros: See full review for lots of great Pros!
Cons: See full review for a Con that's not so bad!

Everyone is different, but for me, a young curvy blonde, I'm so glad there's a place I can go to stay fit, and not have to worry about male instructors getting their hands on me. Some of the girls wonder why I'm there, but being thin doesn't mean you're heart healthy, so I do it for the cardio - but mostly for a mental release.

Some fitness-obsessed folks aren't impressed with curves, but for us normal ladies, it's just right for our tight schedules and thinning wallets. I'm not really interested in learning all the fancy lingo that accompanies a big gym, I just want to sweat a little and feel my heart pound - curves does that for me. Curves comes highly recommended by this fan - try it, you'll like it.

PROS:
Simple to follow, affordable, no need to learn steps or new skills(as you do with aerobics), you pace yourself - no one pushes you beyond your comfort level. No Men! Good way to socialize.

CONS:
Can get repetative sometimes, but it forces you to get creative, so it's not really a "con" after all!.

Pros: Hour and a half workout in 30 minutes. Low price compare to big gyms. Results.
Cons: none that I have encountered.

Most of the reviews here are from people who have not actually tried it and have not given it the opportunity to work for them. I lost 9 inches in my first month! How much it works for the individual is up to the individual. With it being all hydraulics..the harder YOU work, the more your results. It is the best thing out there for women who want results not just frills.

Pros: QUICK, EASY, FRIENDLY AND INEXPENSIVE.
Cons: BORING, CHRISTIAN MUSIC, UNKNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF, REPUBLICAN DONORS.

I ENJOY CURVES BECAUSE IT IS QUICK AND NONCOMPETITIVE. AT ANOTHER ALL LADIES CLUB PEOPLE HOGGED MACHINES AND THERE WERE EVEN CONFRONTATIONS. NOT COOL. I HATE THE FAKEY CHRISTIAN ROCK AND THE STAFF ARE EVEN LESS KNOWLEDGEABLE THAN I AM, AND GIVE CONFLICTING INSTRUCTIONS. AND I NOW DISCOVERED THAT CURVES GIVES HEAVILY TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, SO I WILL HAVE TO STOP GOING THERE, AS A TRUE PROGRESSIVE PATRIOT.

Pros: 30 minutes only
Cons: You can achieve the same results at home!

I have been going to a Curves in Downtown Montreal for the past year and found it extremely disappointing. From the repetitive music to the less than challenging machines one would be better off with a workout video tape. Also despite all the hype about the machines there is nothing but good old sit-ups (that you could do at home) that Curves offers for strengthening stomachs. Added to this the people running Curves in downtown Montreal are more interested in extracting money than in your well being. I hurt my back and was unable to continue at Curves but was made to continue paying them because they have no policy of refunding money! A total rip-off! You are better off trust me working out at home, or running in your neighborhood or anything else!

Pros: If you really think about it, you can do almost anything for 30 seconds.
Cons: The blasting of Christian music, "14 beats/minute" is an assault on the brain cells.

The initial view of the Curves for Women program looked good .. 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise in a women-only setting. The 'atmosphere appeared to be supportive of women of all shapes, sizes and moderate fitness levels. However, after a brief "honeymoon" period the Christian practices of this particular club stated to emerge and it became evident that this Christian dogma exercise program was not for me!

Pros: fast work out
Cons: minimal cardio, no locker room, no classes

I went for several months and saw no results going three times a week. My sister wanted me to tag along with her to Gold's Gym so I did and found out that it was the same price as Curves but offered a lot more. I signed up there and called to cancel at Curves. I was told that cancellation was not an option. I then contacted another neighborhood Curves and found out that I had been lied to. I am still trying to get my membership cancelled after over a month. On the results side of things I have lost 15 pounds in my first month at Gold's Gym.

Pros: Some excerise is better than none. Good place to meet people
Cons: Trainers at the my Curves location were not professional.

Apromise of a professional Trainer was not kept. In the five months I attended, I received no help with the machines after the first visit. The personell on duty were always busy playing games on the computer or talking on the phone. The promise of a monthly weigh in was not kept. The apperance of the ladies that I saw week after week did not appear to change. I was ready to quit and join another gym when I hurt my shoulder on one of the machines and was able to cancel my contract. As soon as my injury heals, I will go to another gym.

Pros: easy
Cons: doesn't change difficult communication when there is a problem high pressure sales tactics

I was very excited to join Curves, and to get my workout completed in just 30 minutes. It wasn't what it cracked up to be. They are high pressure to buy their products, aren't always friendly, and most of all the workout got old. They never changed the order of the machines, so soon not only was the work out boring, I wasn't getting anything out of it, as evidenced by my measures (all went UP!)