Curves

Has anyone tried Curves? I am looking for alternatives to walking because soon it will be dark in the evening and I won't be able to safely walk.
A friend just joined Curves and it seems like a good alternative. I have never been to a gym and I don't know how to exercise properly. Curved seems like a good place to start. I am hesitant about making an appointment to go because I don't want to feel pressured into joining by an aggressive sales person.
Any feedback would be appreciated.

I've never been a member of Curves, but I know a couple people who joined Curves before they joined a regular gym.  I guess the equipment is fairly low impact, which might be nice for a newbie.

I personally joined my local YMCA about nine months ago, and am glad I did that instead of Curves.  Most Y's give new members a couple free personal training sessions, and at anytime will show a person how to use the equipment.  At my local Y I never experienced any kind of pressure to join. I got a tour and they always said something like 'if you decide to join we have this, this, and this, etc.'

I chose the Y because they have SO MUCH MORE for not a whole lot more $$ than any place else. Mine has two pools, an indoor walking/running track, a ton of group fitness classes (both aquatic & not), fitness center, weight room, gyms, child care, free guest passes, and more all included in your basic membership.

Maybe check out multiple gyms if you have those options, then make a decision.  BTW - if you are nervous about it just suck it up if you can and do it. That's what I did and I'm so glad I did!

Good luck!

I've been a member of Curves in the past - it's a good place to start, but you might be sick of the circuit after a couple of months.  I also didn't see a lot of difference in toning, which I expected.  

And you will be pressured to join - it's just part of the deal.  

I used to work in a local Curves back when I was in college. It is low impact, but you can get as much out of it as you put into it. As I'm sure you know, it alternates strength with cardio, but every 10-ish minutes, you are asked to check your heart rate and, if it is above a certain target, you are encouraged to slow down (or rest if it's too far above). I personally don't find it to be a great source of cardio, but for a newbie, the strength training machines are pretty good. I lost 12 pounds in the couple of months that I worked there (and I wasn't dieting).

As far as running into an aggressive sales person, Curves employees go by a STRICT script when signing up members. They will keep pushing you to join by writing out how much you'd save in the long run, etc., but if you keep insisting that you want to pay month-to-month, they'll do what you want. Also, you won't work out on the day you sign up. They'll make you an appointment for your first workout so that a trainer can go through with you to show you how the machines work.

 

ALL THAT being said, if you're looking for more intense cardio options, something like the Y might be a better option. Also, that allows you to switch things up and take classes or use a pool if you're so inclined. While I still like Curves, it can get pretty monotonous and you're not allowed to do more than 30 minutes once a day. Wherever you go, be sure that you read your contract completely. I've gotten stuck in gym memberships in the past and they are a PAIN to get out of if you move or decide to switch gyms.

That is a good point about being able to switch it up at the Y. Not only to rid yourself of boredom, but I've seen posts about people experiencing long stalls. Often your body will get acclimated to a workout if its done over and over again over a long period of time and needs to work harder and harder to see any results. Switching it up often works and the Y has so many things to offer that you can easily vary your routine.

Do what works for you, though, and don't commit to anything long term so you're not stuck with something you might not be happy with after a while.

was thinking of joining myself. There is one about  10 miles away, When your from a small town there isn't a lot of choices. I asked my Dr. about Curves and she said that it isn't enough cardio. We do have a fitness center but the owner will only instruct you if you pay extra, bummer. I was doing weights and hurt my shoulder. IT is important to have a trainer show you what to do the correct way.

We live in a small town also and the Y is very small. If you have a membership, you can use three other Y's in the area but they range from 15-35 miles away. That just doesn't work with my schedule. The Curves is nearby and I can do that after I drop my son off at his activities in the evenings. Boy Scouts consumes our lives during the school year!