Curves For Women

Pros: Greatest time/money spent to give yourself something positive.
Cons: Gee, only open 6 days??

I'm getting my curves back that I thought I didn't have anymore. It's invigorating and I feel great. It's the best gift I can give myself. After always putting myself on the back burner, I decided to give myself a present for Mother's Day and so I bought myself a membership..

So Glad I did. In the first month I lost over 10 1/2 inches and 8 lbs. My clothes are telling me how great I'm doing.

The amount of time vs effort that you put into this program, you reap the greatest rewards..

Pros: Only 30 min.
Cons: Too expensive, not physically challenging enough, year-long contract.

I have been a Curves for Women member for about 7 months. I have seen no results and I found that it is not challenging enough for me. I don't even break a sweat. I am pretty young--22 yrs old--and not overweight that much (I just wanted to lose 10-15 pounds), and I don't feel like this is the best option for me, especially since most of the other women at the gym are older. It's also very expensive compared to a regular gym--and they lock you in for a year. Definitely not worth it unless you go every single day. I don't go very much because, like I said, I don't walk out feeling like I had a good work out. The hours are very limited too.

Pros: friendly staff
Cons: the hours of operation - very poor!!!!!! not sure how safe the program is

I just moved and joined Curves because the number of gyms in my area is limited.

What I like:

Friendly staff and members

All women

Good Price

Fun, creative exercise incentives/games


What I don't like:

The hours!!!! It seems like most Curves members are retired. My Curves is open for three hours on Sat. (9-12), from 9-2 & 3-7 Mon.-Fri., and closed on Sun.

Work out gets boring

Was just diagnosed with tendonitis (ankles and knees) after only 5 visits. I'm pretty sure I got it from jogging in place on the aerobic platform. I'm not totally blaming Curves for this, but I strongly believe they need better aerobic options. I was also told to do as many repetitions on the machines as possible in order to get the best workout. I wonder if this also contributed to the tendonitis in my knees (the leg press and leg extension machines).

I've never had any physical injuries in my life. I'm just a little unsure about Curves at this point.

Pros: You can pay monthly, machines are manageable, and you really do lose inches.
Cons: Limited weekend hours and measurements can be inaccurate if taken by different staff each month.

Although I have only been going to Curves for a few months, I find that it fits right into my lifestyle. I go immediately after work (or else I probably would never go)and spend 30 minutes on their circuit. I have NEVER joined an exercise program before and feel that I can actually do this program. If you have a physical limitation, there are alternative or variations to do. I feel better after my 30 minutes and believe it or not, actually look forward to going each day.

Pros: Quick workout that is easy to stick to
Cons: Limited hours of operation

I decided to join Curves in July as I wanted a full body workout, but being a working mother, I have found that going to a regular gym just takes too much time. I joined with my mom, and this is the first time in her life that she has actually been on a regular exercise program.

After 3 months of working out at Curves, and not really dieting, I've lost 2 inches off my waist and hips and an inch off my arms. This surprised me, as I'm an experienced weight trainer and I didn't really think I was working my muscles very much! I'm very pleased with the fact that I'm down one pants size already.

This is a great workout for women who are limited on time and want to have a good all around workout in a non-threatening environment.

Pros: Easy to use machines, never a wait to work out
Cons: Hours change capriciously, at least at my local Curves.

I joined a year ago and worked out regularly (3-5 times a week) for the first six months. I only lost a few pounds, but I did lose inches. (Muscle weighs more than fat). It's a good program for newbies, especially if you join with a friend. I got bored after a while and stopped going. I'm trying to get back on track, but the owner, apparently shortened the hours. When I joined, Curves was open until 7 and now they're apparently closing at 6, so yesterday I drove there (at 6) for nothing. Thought I'd give it another shot today so I went back only to find the owner had decided not to open because of inclement weather!! (It snowed enough here to close schools, but I don't know of any other businesses that felt it necessary to close.) I'm stuck paying for another month, when my contract is up. I won't be renewing.

Pros: Energetic, simple, friendly, results.
Cons: Some of the clubs have restrictive hours, but its not a problem for me.

I love Curves. I joined in August, and I go 3 times a week. It has been well worth the money. I went from being an excersise-a-phobic, to looking forward to my 3 visits a week. In under 2 months, I have lost 9 pounds, 7 pounds of body fat, and 7 inches! I am a walking advertisement for Curves.

The staff at my home club is very helpful. All the trainers know my name and say hi to me when I walk in. The owners are registered nurses, so they know their stuff. I am a frequent travel pass user, which means you can go to any other Curves club for free. I go to mainly two other locations, and have had a great experience at both.

My home club has 12 machines, while another one I go to has just the simple 8. I shouldn't say simple, because you go around the circut 3 times instead of 2, and I can feel the difference! Especially after the squats and leg press.

I would recommend Curves to anyone. I feel better, look better, and I'm making a positive change for myself which will be with me forever.

Pros: Easy-to-use equipment, friendly environment, good results in terms of stamina and muscle tone.
Cons: Unsatisfactory weekend and evening hours.

I love the Curves workout, and have been pleased with the results in terms of increased stamina and muscle tone, but it just doesn't fit my schedule! I have called 10 Curves franchises in my urban area, and they are ALL closed evenings, Saturday afternoons, and Sundays -- the times when I have free time and find it most convenient to exercise.

I ended up joining one of the 24-hour fitness centers--now if only I could get them to buy the easy-to-use Curves equipment!

Pros: Total body workout that hits every major muscle group and ranges in intensity.
Cons: Club decor and owners' knowledge varies.

I must admit, I was a bit skeptical when I first walked into my local Curves because the machines did not look challenging but I was soon to be proved wrong. During my first workout I couldn't believe how hard I was working! I am an avid athelete, and belonged to "traditional" gyms in the past and implemented a steady routine of light free weights and cardio but Curves offers the benefits of both those types of exercise in a single routine. I also wondered if this routine would continue to challenge me as the weeks progressed and it has! As long as I continue to push my self by going faster on each machine, the greater the resistance is. I have been a member of Curves for 6 months now and I really do love it. Fast, effective, fun, and the owners are always supportive and helpful at my club. Check it out- you won't be disappointed!

Pros: Quick, easy, variety of machines.
Cons: Not going to continue losing weight unless diet changed also!

I was so happy to discover Curves! I was 26 years old when I first joined, and although I was not overweight I had never stayed with an exercise program for very long before. The structured Curves workout is just what I needed. No more spending 30 minutes on an elliptical or treadmill! No more having to sign up for the cardio machine I wanted at the gym, or waiting for someone to get off the weight machine I was going to use next...and of course no more having to adjust the weights, either!
I just walk in and start working out and 30 minutes later, I 'm done! I don't think I'll have any problem sticking with this workout as a life-long exercise routine.

Pros: Great for people just starting out on an exercise program
Cons: Terrible for anyone interested in taking there fitness level to the next level.

Honestly Curves is a great place for people that are just starting out on physical exercise or just want to get a little activity in for the week. I found the program to be too easy and lost some weight, but I got bored very quickly. The reviewer that mentioned the knowledge of the staff may be questionable is right on the money. The woman who owns the Curves where I live was intrusive on my life (calling incessantly) and recommended that I slow down the pace of my workout (I would go around the circle 4-5 times as opposed to the usual 3). I quit, but still paid monthly payments due to my year contract. Now I belong to a REAL gym with treadmills and weights and I have lost 20 pounds.

Pros: Easy going. Comfortable for women of all ages and sizes. Not boring.
Cons: You don't see rapid results if you really want to lose weight.

This might not be for everyone and especially not someone that wants a hardcore sweaty workout and actually wants to lose weight. That's why you see alot of older people there because it's not hard. Not hard enough for me. I'm in my mid thirties and tried it for a few months. It's different in a way that it is all women and you can talk and socialize. Some of the women go there just for that!!! But you will not get results because it doesn't push you and when lifting weights you want to excelerate - not stay at the same resistance all the time. I wasn't losing any weight and I was watching what I ate. I was disappointed and canceled it. The hours are kind of limiting and the cost each month is way too high!!!

Pros: Easy to do, music is great. It's the fastest workout that I have ever done.
Cons: Workout gets boring after awhile. you can't change the flow of the workout.

The workout is not challenging enough. You can't do anything different. I leave feeling as though I have not had a workout. Your body gets used to the same workout after a while and you won't see any results. After 1 month of working out there, I got bored and I haven't returned there yet. It is so hard to go back.

Pros: Not locked into a "contract." I chose the monthly payment plan.
Cons: Injuries...

I've been a member of curves since Nov. '05 up until Aug. '06 when I realized I was injured. I couldn't use my right leg at all, extreme pain. I went to a sports medicine doctor and had an x-ray which came up negative. I thought that I had a severe pull, but came to find out through an MRI and dye injection that I actually fractured the top of my femur bone which connects to the hip. It's commonly called a "stress fracture." This is an injury which happened over a course of a few months. They (Curves) should really re-think their equipment and/or 30-minute workout system. I know that this injury was due to Curves. This is the only gym and/or exercise that I've been doing. I'm very reluctant to going back as a member.

Pros: Helpful, no high pressure or hovering
Cons: doubtful about staff qualifications re fitness training

I'm age 71, quite fit. I had a 3-time freebie and hated it (disco music from the '80's or '70's, usually loud), and annoying to hear the constant "change stations now".
But I have insurance that has a fitness club benefit - !!
at specific places. My regular gym closed so Curves was
my only choice and I signed up.

I'm surprised that I've been able to lose a couple #'s and think it will continue. The routineness of it makes it
easier to stick with, in a perverse way - you don't have to think about it, just do it, it's short. After reading the many comments about lack of experienced staff, I'm more careful. I notice that some of the staff are students working part time, and few or none seem to have more than superficial knowledge. I've had no pain, though I have family history of arthritis. I'm being more careful about stretching, and I use free weights some at home.

I've only been at this about a month, and I feel good after the exercise - but I'm definitely going to heed the
excellent critiques I've read here.