Opinions needed: Curves Ladies Fitness

I'm thinking about joining Curves since its a semi-private ladies gym. Theres one really close to where I work, so I'm hoping I can go on my lunch hour a few times per week. Anyone that's ever been, please tell me what your experience was. Also, please tell me how well their facilities are suited for larger women, if you dont mind please! (364 lbs currently)

I have been a member of curves for a over a year. To be honest you grow out of it. I have been working out at our local YMCA and loving it. Curves would be a greatplace to start and get used to the equipment and such. If you are not familiar with gym equipment, I really wasn't. I thought the fact the it was all women would make me more comfortable, but I was still self conscious. I have actually found that co-ed gyms make me feel less intimidated. They are bigger and I do not notice everyone who walks in, but at curves I was always like I am the heaviest person here or Thank God she is bigger than I am. But it all depends on the person. It si great that you are wanting to work out, it will make you feel amazing. If you go to your local YMCA, get you a personal trainer a couple of times. It will help motivate you. You go GIRL!!!!!!!!!! You will be shopping for a bathing suit no time... HUGS and Best Wishes, Miranda

I used to go to one in Kentucky , untill i moved i really liked it because there was only a half a hand full that was skinny, i felt when i went i was there for the same as everyone else, i loved it and iam thinking of going to this one near me again, I felt so much better, my daughter and i both liked it, we went 3 times a week . Go ck it out before you start they let you just call, you will enjoy it. hope this helps. Delilah

Right after surgery I joined and I loved it but I too out grew it. But I was close to goal at 9 mths. It is fine for your weight and you will love it. It was a great way to get started after being sedantatry for so long. I could never have gone to a gym or ymca. It is very private. I think it is a great choice for starting out and if you join in the month of March there is no registration fee and that will save you close to a hundred dollars. All you have to do is take in a bag of food. Good luck. It was great. Jane

Hi Cathryn, I joined Curves last year when I was doing my 6 month medical weightloss before my insurance would approve my surgery. I decided to try it because I'm really self conscious because of my weight and thought I'd feel more comfortable with other women. And I was right. They were really great there. I was worried I wouldn't be able to fit on the machines but I did fine. I was a little awkward on a few of them but once I got the hang of it, I was ok. I would recommend Curves, especially if you are just beginning and want to start some type of exercise program. I still have my membership but haven't gone in a few months. I need to start back up. I do believe they offer a free 1 week trial so you could check it out and see if you liked it. Good luck! Tammy

Thanks for your input. I did try it today, and like you, a couple of the machines were a bit awkward, but not too bad. I look forward to going on a routine. It seems like it will be fun.

I agree with everyone here, it is a great place to start out. I did it during the first year and also outgrew it. I wanted more intense exercise so I joined Gold's with my daughter. I left there because I wanted a personal trainer which was offered to me at Fit4U..off Wards Corner Rd. They also have private exercise classes with a trainer present, if you want to move on you can do a one on one with the trainer which is what I do.. Personal trainers are awesome, you work at YOUR pace not the pace of the class...classes are fun too but I like the privacy and intensity I get with the trainer. Brenda

I have been a curves member several times and had much sucess there...i lost close to 100pds in a year there about 6yrs ago. I am getting ready for rny hopefully in late April, early May. I am struggling with my preop weight loss so I rejoined last month because I know it works for me. I like it cause it is fast, and low impact, and great if you need to go to work afterwords (don't stink like ya do from a gym). They also weigh and measure you each month and do a BMI which is a plus. I really enjoy it, buy like the other folks, about a year there is all you want before you move up with the big leagues.

Thank you to everyone that replied. I seem to be hearing some of the same things. So I will definitely give it a shot, at least for a few months. Hopefully I will lose enough weight during this "honeymoon phase" and later on this year I can try something different if it's not challenging enough at that point. While at the grocery store last night I picked up some canned goods and so forth to take since they're having their March food drive! I'm excited.

I also wanted to mention AVON has a special. Check out the newest Avon Book, you can pick one up at the grochery store. They offer a 2 week free trial membership. Jane