Curves - for women of all ages, shapes, weights and fitness levels (Curves for women)

Member Name: Mioliere

Product:	Curves for women
Date:	27/08/08 (1061 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inexpensive, fun and effective

Disadvantages: None

I joined my local branch of Curves just over a year ago; a leaflet had been pushed through my letterbox inviting me to go along for a free session. I phoned the number given, was given a brief rundown of how Curves operates and arranged to go in the following day.

A little nervous, I visited at the appointed time and was greeted by a friendly woman on the desk who took my details and then showed me the workout. I could see several women already on the equipment and the place was vibrant and busy.

Having been shown the workout, including how to use every piece of equipment and how to do the exercises on the 'recovery' boards, I was asked if I thought it was suitable for me. I had a few questions to ask, one of them being that I did not need to lose weight but would like to 'tone up' and generally improve my fitness level and would the workout be able to provide me with this? I was told that I could tailor the workout to suit myself but that I should not attend more often than three times a week and to keep to the same eating pattern.

So, I joined, paying a £59 one-off joining fee and arranging to pay the monthly fee of £29 by direct debit. I had to sign up for a minimum of four months which I didn't think was too much of a commitment - certainly not like paying for a full year's membership to a more expensive gym and then not being able to attend very often. If I attend three times a week it works out at around £2.40 a session which is really inexpensive. I have a friend who goes there five times a week so for her it is really cheap.

You are given a key fob which you have to swipe past the computer on reception; this records how many workouts you have done to date and also reminds you to have your weight and measurements taken. This is done with the utmost respect by the qualified ladies who staff the gym. Usually, your weight is taken first, then you are measured on the bust, hips, waist, abdomen, right thigh and right upper arm, and then you hold the BMI device which tells you your body mass index (your height to weight ratio). All these measurements are recorded and updated once a month so that you can monitor progress. They have a reward system whereby you can earn Curves 'dollars' for losing weight as well as earning more 'dollars' when your birthday comes round. They have a good selection of 'workout' goodies which you can buy with your dollars.

As for the workout itself, all the equipment is set up in a wide circle alternating between a peice of equipment followed by a recovery board. The equipment will either work your upper body or your lower body and these are also alternated so that you do not, for example, use two upper body machines one after the other. The recovery boards are to be used after each piece of equipment and are designed to keep the pace of the workout going but not specifically to work on any part of the body. You can simply jog on the boards but, at our branch, each board is labelled with an exercise that you can do if you wish and these include goal saves, leg kicks, hamstring curls, knee lifts and so on.

All the workout equipment has been specially designed for use by women and they all work on the hydraulic resistance principle. You can join in on the first empty spot you find; I usually start off on one of the recovery boards so that I can begin my workout by gentle jogging. You spend no more than thirty seconds on each piece of equipment or board and then a voice breaks into the up-tempo music to remind you to 'change stations now' and you move on to the next 'station'. You complete the circuit twice which takes twenty-five minutes and then you go to the stretching area and follow the simple exercises that you are shown on our first visit, but can follow using the charts on the wall. Each stretching exercise involves stretching different muscles of the body and holding for fifteen seconds and this ensure that you do not spend the following day aching from your efforts.

During the workout popular music is played which has been re-arranged to give you a beat to work out to; this is so much better than working out in silence and adds to the vibrant buzzing atmosphere. In the centre of the workout area will always be at least one member of staff who is there to offer advice and to ensure that you are using the equipment correctly. They are more than happy to be asked for their advice.

My branch is light and airy; they provide fans and air-conditioning for warm days, very clean and modern changing rooms and toilets, a water cooler and a paper towel dispenser close to the workout area and a noticeboard showing the month's top weightlosers and forthcoming events. You are asked to change your shoes when entering and leaving,m for hygiene reasons, and lockers are provided to store your personal belongings while you are working out.

I think Curves offers excellent value for money; it is for women only, you do not need to wear special clothing - I just wear old jogging pants, t-shirts and lightweight trainers, and the workouts are not long enough to become boring. For just thirty enjoyable minutes three times a week I can keep fit and feel that I am doing myself the power of good.

My branch opens every day except Sunday from 7.30am until 7.30 pm. On some days they close for lunch, on others they don't. Each branch will provide you with their terms and conditions as well as things like their opening hours and so on.

I have had to miss a few sessions now and again either through illness or other commitments but it doesn't take long to get back into the swing of things at Curves and there is no pressure on you to attend religiously. The whole idea is to tailor-make the Curves experience to suit yourself. I thoroughly recommend it to women of all ages, all levels of fitness and all weights. My branch counts among its members women up to the age of 80 so there is no upper age or fitness level.

Summary: Highly rcommended