Curves

I used to work at Curves. I really recommend it there, because it's a supportive atmosphere, plus you can work out in just half an hour! In my area, Curves is cheaper than the local YMCA and other health clubs.

If you're looking to lose weight in addition to getting in shape, then I recommend their weight management classes. I learned a lot about my food choices. Make sure you inquire when you sign up. The only downside to Curves is that they don't have childcare (some other gyms do), but hey, you need 'Becky' time anyhow! It's also great that it's all women, so you don't feel like you need to impress anyone and nobody minds that you didn't shave... ;-)

Oh, and another tip: if you make yourself a workout schedule, then that'll help you reach your goals of getting there regularly!

Good luck!

I had joined Curves several years ago and loved it. It was a quick workout. I liked the variety of machines - helped keep me interested and targeted different body parts.

I joined curves and never lost a pound it really built my muscles up but never lost. I joined the YMCA and went swimming and walking and lost 40 lbs. So i like the y better because I went to curves and never lost.
good luck
T.
check in to child care and it might benifit you to join a gym or put the kids in a stroller and off you go.

Hi! I did Curves for about a year and got great results. Then, I got bored with it and quit my membership, but it definitely works. To what degree it works sort of depends on how hard you work at it. If you go 3x per week minimum, and you hit the machines hard, you'll notice differences in your body pretty quickly. My Curves gym had a pretty nice group of women that would all chat, and they played music to keep you going. Sometimes the music sucked and would annoy me, but you can't really wear headphones, b/c you need to hear the cue that tells you to go to the next station. If there are other people working out, you could just go when everyone else went, and listen to your own music I guess--I don't know why I didn't do it that way. Also, the one I went to didn't have a locker room, so you couldn't shower there--I'm not sure if they are all like that. I'd say go for it. It's a good all around workout that hits every muscle group. They will track your measurements and weight with you if you like, for motivation. Good luck.

Hi Becky,

I wanted to share my success story with Curves. Before I had my son, my doctor thought it would be good if I lost some weight before I get pregnant so I would have less health issues. Well, I lost 25 pounds in 9 months and was going 3 times a week. It was the best thing I ever did. I was never sore and always wanted to go b/c you kinda make friends with the girls that go at the same time at you. I had a blast and would highlty recommend it. It really only takes 1/2 hr. So it doesn't take up too much time.

Good Luck!

I've been thinking about re-joining Curves. I did get a little bored with the circuit and equipment after a year or so, but it was nice to know that I only needed about 45 minutes to fit in a workout three or four times per week. I, personally didn't loose a lot of weight, but it definitely got me toned! I would recommend giving it a try. Good luck.

Hi Becky, I've been going to Curves for about 1 1/2yr and I love it. The instructors are great and very helpful. I've met some nice girls there too. The Curves I go to also has classes you can sign up for that teach you how and what to eat.
I really didn't lose alot of weight but I'm on the thin side to begin with but I did lose alot of inches.
I would definitely recommend Curves.

Curves is awesome! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

Check with your husband's employer....many companies offer a discount for gym memberships...

Hi, Becky,

A friend of mine from work (also named Becky) has had a great experience at Curves. She is also a mom of two (a 6 year old and a 3 year old) and felt that she'd never lost the baby weight.

She tracks her eating very carefully and works out three times a week at Curves for thirty minutes. Over the course of about a year, she has probably lost about 20 or 30 lbs. Her BMI (body mass index, which measures your ratio of fat to muscle) has shifted significantly for the better, too. And because it's been so gradual, she feels confident that she will continue to keep it off.

Look into it! See if you can make it work with your lifestyle! Making realistic, gradual, long-term changes toward better health is the best gift you can give yourself (and your kids)!

Good luck and best wishes,
H.

While I can't speak to Curves (I am sure its pretty good-at least to start to get into shape) I will suggest if you don't do that to find a gym with good babysitting. When my kids were your kids ages I found one that they absolutely loved. It worked out so great because I got a nice hour or so to myself to workout (each treadmill had its own TV-Bonus!) and the kids got a fun social time. It really broke up the day and provided a nice structure too. I met lots of other moms also.

Curves does help you lose the weight in get into shape but there are some drawbacks why I did not join after a free month trail. They are not open on Sundays they close by 8pm very night and you cannot take your children. So you to see if you can go in there time frame. That mean start before 7:15pm at night. I don't remember their opening time but I don't think it was that early.

Hi Becky,

I love Curves! It is low-impact, social, motivation, and easy to do, so you do not dread going. I also am within walking distance from mine, so adding the walk/run to the place, it gives me a GREAT workout! Right now in the Entertainment books, there are 50% off coupons for the 1-time membership fee for joining Curves, with the 1st month free. One thing that is great about Curves is that there are always women in there who are in a similar boat to you, and you can encourage one another. It's great.

Best wishes!

Becky- I joined Curves last summer for 6 weeks. It was a fitness study trial (6 weeks for like $60- I've seen this advertised once during the winter as well). I wasn't looking to really lose weight but I was definitely looking to get in shape. It definitely worked as I did lose some inches off of everything. Depending on the type of person you are, you may find it boring because it is the same rotation of equipment. The atmosphere was very welcoming and not intimidating at all. They also had "crash" course with either Weight Watchers or something like that to help from the dieting perspective too. You may want to see if they offer any trials to see if you would like it. It wouldn't hurt to ask if they are going to be running another fitness study soon. In the end I decided not to join because I felt I would get more for the money if I joined a gym or a Y (i.e. aerobic classes, a wider variety of equipment, pool). Good luck!

I went to Curves and it worked wonders for me. I lost lots of inches and about 15 lbs. If you do Curves and watch what you eat you'll have good results. I also recommend their weight loss challenge. Good Luck!

My story really sucks. I went to Curves to loose a few pounds for my wedding a few years back. I did my registration and off I went . For several months I went faithfully....and never lost a pound. When I questioned them they THEn told me that they thought my weight was fine and have given me the target rate for weight maintainence. Which would have been fine BUT I was there to loose weight.

Reason number 2 that I don't like Curves. They have pics up of people who lost weight through their program, and their program alone. BUT one of the people who they featured at my local club had lost her weight through gastric bypass. When I questioned the staff about the pic they told me "Doesn't she look great? She used our weight loss vitamins and came everyday!" To which I told them "Thats my Aunt. I know she had Gastric bypass and didn't loose the weight by you program alone." She had lost over 100 LBS at that point and they still claimed that I didn't know what I was talking about. Ummmmm, I know my family better then they do and I know she told them about her surgery because she had to take in paper work from her doc to be allowed to be a active member again. Turns oput my friend knew the next person who was "featured" and she had gastric bypass also.
The program is a bunch of hooey in my opinion. The money that you would spend on membership would be better spent with a dietician and a trainer to get personalized results. Or just be more acticve in your daily life. Adding a pedomoter can be a great way to see how much m,opre exercise you need. Go for walks and runs and enjoy life. Its easy to loose weight just by doing fun things that include activity :)

I heard curves is really good. Any exercise is good for you. I also heard weight watchers is good also. Good luck

I joined when I lived in Tucson, but it was hard for me to work out because they don't have childcare and it got a little boring and repetitive after a while. In my opinion it would be better to join a gym that has childcare and offer classes for you to take. I took a yoga class 3 times a week and it cost me like $29 a month. I think you would get more for your money that way.

Hi Becky,

Yes, Curves is an excellent way to lose weight as you tone up.

Committment for a year is required.

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

Hi Becky,

I went to curves before getting married, it was great. I would go for about 30 - 40 minutes and over about 4 months lost about 20lbs. Right before the wedding I stepped my visits up to 4 times a week. But it is fun, you get cardio and weights, you meet a ton of people and it is great "me time". After the wedding I stopped going as we built a gym in our basement. Although, if I dont loose my babyweight from this one due in November, I will be back at curves too!