Curves for Women--what do you think?

[Maximus]

I saw a segment on the Early Show this morning. It's the fastest growing franchise in the world. In my town I have 2 of these "storefronts." One is Curves & the other is Ladies Workout Express. They're these tiny rooms with a circuit of machines that generally are not very effective. So they pull people in to do this "circuit" a couple times a week.

Personally I think they're probably a good thing for very overweight & possibly older women to get started. And they're reasonably inexpensive--about $30 a month. But you get what you pay for......what steams me is the marketing--they use pics of women who look like Cathe & basically advertise "15 minutes a day, 5 days a week & you too can look like this!" And these poor overweight, out of shape souls buy into the quick & easy fix these sheisters sell them.

I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find Denise Austin behind this fitness lie! }(

 

[materialsgirl]

LOL! Denise Austin behind Curves? Nahhh.

I actually like Curves marketing - their commercials show normal and larger sized women working out and having fun. That's the way it should be. I've not seen any Curves ads showing Cathe-like bodies. And honestly, you would never look like that from doing Curves. I used to be a Curves member several years ago and it is, as you suggest, excellent for a beginner (which I was). After about 9 months, I had progressed to a level that Curves could not challenge me anymore, so I had to move on. Not to mention it was incredibly boring doing the same routine every single time. But, I credit it with getting me started in fitness and weight training. And, like you say, it's cheap at $30 a month. So, for beginners, I would highly recommend it.

We also have the Ladies Workout Express but have never seen any advertisements or commercials for it. Maybe they are using Cathe-like models for their marketing ploy. I like how there are signs all over their storefront about tanning packages and free tanning with membership. Yeah, lets get in good shape, then blow it all by getting deadly skin cancer. Fabulous!

 

[scm]

Hi Maximus,
My sister has been working for Curves for a couple or so years now. She is not at all overweight, but she says most of the clientele is. I too think its a great place for people esp. if they are a bit insecure in going to a *real* gym.

However, this topic was brought up before and some very interesting discussions took place. Here's the link.
http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?...ic_id=82269&mesg_id=82269&listing_type=search


Susan C.M.
Nothing should be jiggling, unless it's jiggling off. - Cathe in HSC

 

[Maximus]

Emily--you might be right about the marketing--I walk by Ladies Workout Express every day & there's this poster in their window of this blonde who I'd give my right arm to look like (of course if I gave away my right arm I wouldn't look like her at all, would I?). Can't say I've ever even seen a Curves ad, so I stand corrected.

 

[NicoleP]

This must have been big last year at my childrens school because my one sons kindergarten teacher did it and really started to shaped up. She started in January and I noticed in april. She was getting ready for swim suit wheather. I saw her the other day and it looks like she still at it because she is looking GREAT!!

Now a another gal at the school did curves to and ended up in the hospital flat on her back. She had to have surgery on her back and attibutes it to this program.

I don't know how they run there program, but like anything I think you should educate yourself before you do something.

I am just so happy I learned it RIGHT way from Cathe. I have other dvds I do and you would not believe the bad form some of these instructors use.

~Nicole

 

[Maximus]

Wow, thanks for the link! I had no idea about the owners' political positions! Just one more reason to stay far, far away from it.........

 

[dss62467]

I think that all of the gym franchises are guilty of this. Actually, any fitness product is. Like Daisy Fuentes saying you can look like her if you do Pilates for a month.

I think it's good for women who aren't looking to become buff, just healthier. Getting them on a stationary bike a few times a week is better than having them sit at the kitchen table doing crossword puzzles.

My SIL joined Curves a couple months ago and is doing the Circuit Training. I'll have to get an update from her when we go to Mother's Day brunch next month. She's about 13 years older than me and has never been into exercising. So I'm sure she'll benefit somewhat at the beginning.

 

[LaGuapa]

My 60 year old mom went to Curves and lost about 30 pounds. But she got accustomed to the work out pretty quickly and hit a major plateau. That's the problem - it's the same workout every time - no variety, no weight increases...

And you have to do the circuits - you can't just show up and do cardio or work on one body part.

But I think it's a great resource for older or out of shape women who are reluctant to go to a regular gym. If it gets people off their couches, I'm all for it.

 

[midnight]

I definitely think there is a place in the fitness industry for a place like Curves. It at least gets people who otherwise would not be moving, moving and into a fitness mindset. If someone is seriously overweight, even this amount of movement will make a difference over the course of time and then if so inclined, they could "graduate" to a more demanding program. Yes, I do think it's a trend and I don't think they advertise completely ethically but I do know some women who have had results and enjoyed it. Got to start somewhere, right?

--Lois

"Don't forget to breathe!"

 

[kathryn]

I think Curves may be good for the target audience (overweight, out-of-shape, sedentary women who are intimidated by exercise), but that also depends on the individual storefront. From what I've read, the "trainers" who work there don't have to have any kind of experience with exercise, and only get a one-day training program.

I know a woman who goes to curves. She lost quite a bit of weight, but she also starting biking and walking a lot, and is following some kind of Curves low-carb diet. She's definitely not "buff" (though Curves must make her feel good about herself, because once when we were at a friend's house, and someone asked for help installing a new kitchen counter, she said that she should come over
because she was "the strongest one (t)here." Another friend looked over at me, knowing how much I work out, and that it probably wasn't the case, to see my reaction. I let it slide. But I'd like to challenge her to a couple of sets of on-the-toes push-ups and see if she can even do one!).

I have never seen the advertisements that show buff babes (the Curves ads on TV always show middle-age, slightly pudgy women who are all chatty and friendly), but one fitness magazine (I forget the name) really pushes the Ladies Workout Express program (and compares it to Curves, by usually dissing Curves). Their ads show buffer-looking women.