Topic: Anyone ever been involved in one of those women's fitness programs called Curves?
ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
There is one opening up a few miles away and I am considering joining. Before Lyme/Babesia, I was a workout queen and was consistently climbing 85 flights on the Stairmaster at one time, and lifting weights. I miss my once-fit bod. I have lost all the weight I put on immediately after I became ill, all due to these illnesses, about 45 lbs. But am sooo flabby! My tolerance for activity can be limited at times.
I am looking for something not so high-paced, somewhere I can go to work at the level I am feeling that day. Where they might have more tolerance for "illness" issues, unlike some of those gyms where everyone is push, push, push.
I cannot tell much from the website they have, so was just curious if anyone has used one of these places to try to get into shape.
Could use a diversion anyway, and would be a good way for me to get out of the house.
Anyone have any feedback? Since this is just opening, noone I know in this area knows much about it yet.
posted
I have a friend who works in a Curves here in Virginia Beach. She is also a Weight Watchers instructor and very familiar with exercise. She really likes the program there. It apparently is not very exerting...short times on alot of different equipment. No men....very relaxed atmosphere. Have fun!
Posts: 83 | From Virginia Beach, VA | Registered: Dec 2002
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Just kidding about the name..I don't know of this one.
I have started rebounding and Pilates at home..may do Tai Quan Do with my son, for mind and body..
Yoga..throughout. I suggest this even for fifteen minutes in the morning no matter what your workout otherwise is. It has really helped in a very broad way.
Mo
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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JillF
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5553
posted
I have a few friends who swear by Curves.
My husband's coworker lost 100 pds going to Curves (and she started dieting also).
posted
I questioned a friend here about going and she told me that it wouldn't be for me because they move very quickly from machine to machine in rotation, where I have trouble moving fast that it would be an obstacle for me to keep up.
Posts: 190 | From Bourne, Massachusetts, USA | Registered: May 2004
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
There were a couple of ladies here in town who joined.
Most the time the company benefited because they were not consistant in going. They would miss several months, start up again, and then miss again.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Yes, I have belonged several times over the last 6 years, as I currently joined a new facility (Curves)that just opened. I have at least 30 lbs to loose.
Have been going about 2.5 weeks now. I like it because you are not at a "meat market" type gym. You do not have to worry about your flab hanging out and what you are wearing is "in". If you do 3x a week for 30 minutes, you will definately be doing a body some good.
It is fast pace, but most of the ladies in the one I go to are quite a bit older than me and move with the flow. I would suggest it, if you feel you are ready to get in shape again.
Posts: 688 | From SW Arkansas | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
I go to a local Y. Can't use the pool at present because of central line but am a frequent visitor to the machine room. If I don't feel up to doing a complete mile on the treadmill, I just stop when I don't feel like going on. Working thru the pain is not for me!
But just doing treadmill at average walking pace and various other machines has made a difference and I try to go at least twice a week. Doesn't sound like much but something is better than nothing and it really did make a noticeable difference.
This kind of facility has little kids up to granddads, so there isn't as much pressure to keep up with the jocks. They also have classes, but I haven't been able to convince them to offer tai chi.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
our location ran a promo for women who had a mammogram w/in previous 6 mths to waive the membership fee (149.00), so I decided to give it a try!
Today was my first day to try it. I told them of my condition and limitations (doc ind little or no aeoribic stuff) so, I just kind of hang out in between the stations instead of jogging etc!!
Also, I'm only doing 1 of the rotations for now!! I enjoyed it so much but, am very sore this afternoon!! I have been off work since October last year and was going so nuts by myself!! I really liked just seeing the folks and not feeling "too fat" to play!!
I take my kiddo to school every morning so, am planning to swing by there on the way home while I am upright and dressed!!
I think it will be a good thing. Many of the machines are the same ones Katie uses at physical therapy!!
Sherry
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Posts: 704 | From Huntsville, Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
Mostly good reviews! Thanks to all who responded.
It opens next Monday, so think I will stop on by there and talk to them. And observe. I used to be one of those gym rats at the meat market in my other life. Before Lyme. I have been anxious for a long time to start getting back into physical activity. And as long as I don't let my "compulsive self" take over and do too much, think I will enjoy it!
Congrats on your wgt loss!! IMO that is more than half the battle when you're trying to get back in shape. Good for you!!
I have also heard great things about Curves.
Posts: 53 | From North Oaks, MN, USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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LemonZinger
Unregistered
posted
Hi, new here; and a maybe little late to respond to this. But I can't resist telling how much love Curves. Post-Lyme crisis, thanks to Curves, my joints are all working properly any time!
This type of activity is ideal for cardio workout, muscle toning and weight bearing (to help prevent calcium loss.)
My figure is so much better even without having lost a lot of weight. Fat converts to muscle so I don't really look my weight. I want to lose 1 or 1 1/2 dress sizes but I will have to watch what I eat a little better to achieve that. But at least I'm no longer gaining weight!
You can go to Curves and try out a few machines; see for yourself. (Call first to make sure the staff isn't tied up with another appointment so you can get undivided attention, especially since they are just opening up and may be very busy.)
The machines are all hydraulic and automatically adjust to how hard you want to work so it's suitable for nearly anyone of any strength. Even women in their 80s go there.
You spend 30-35 seconds on each station (a machine or recovery pad) for a total of 25-30 minutes and there is ample time to get from one machine to another for most women.
If you can't reach your target heart rate, you need to work harder on the machines. You can work according to your capabilities and ask for modified techniques or skip over machines that bother a bad joint or whatever. This is so easy and so much fun. I hope you give it a try.
It might look "silly" in the pictures you see on the internet or how people describe it, but you've got to try out yourself to see what you think.
Just remember to stretch a few minutes after your workout. That it the best way to end your workout and minimize sore muscles. That really does make a difference!
I started going and did not stretch the first 2 weeks. What a bad idea....I was hurting in the back of the legs when I walked. Started stretching and all better now.
Posts: 688 | From SW Arkansas | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
YIPPY!!!! I just got back from Curves and my first measurement after 30 days.
I lost an all over 16.5 inches! Mind you that is only 2.5 in the waist and 3.5 in my abdomen. But I was excited to see that!
Curves does work!
Posts: 688 | From SW Arkansas | Registered: Dec 2003
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
Yep, I have been by there and talked to them at length about my situation. And they are very receptive to working me through all this. I am going to the doc office week after next, and will wait to address this with them. Want to also make sure it's in my medical records that it is OK to do this program specifically, as if anyone is "watching" me (disability carriers and the like), want to make sure I have doc approval. Hopefully they will be OK with it. I have info for them to review. I am motivated to do it, having been previously very into exercise, etc. But still feeling a bit unsure of myself and hoping I do OK.
The facility I am looking at is brand new, so the instructors are pretty busy with appointments teaching new recruits. So wanted to wait a bit anyway so I could start when they aren't so busy and I can have perhaps a little more individual time with them. Told them I would be s-l-o-w, both physically and in the brain. LOL
posted
ConnieMC - I know what you mean about disability and "are they watching" - it's a shame we have to be scared to try to do anything that might make us feel a tiny tad better!!
My PCP wrote me a scrip indicating strength training and increasing cardio so that I would be "covered" if it were questioned!!
I haven't really done anything physical in 3 or 4 years!! I started out trying to walk 5 to 8 minutes a day!! Sounds so wierd since I used to ride horses, rodeo, work out, dance and run 3 to 5 miles a day before I was sick!!
I hope this Curves things continues to help! I like the way I "hurt" after it!! You know, kinda like an accomplishment pain or something - LOL !!
Take care, sherry
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Posts: 704 | From Huntsville, Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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