Curves Recommendations??

Well, I don't have much nice to say about Curves, but I will preface it by saying that I am not a member there so I don't have first hand knowledge of what it is like to work out there.

I am a yoga teacher and a Zumba teacher (latin music inspired fitness). I teach at various gyms around St. Louis and at my daughter's dance studio Mon-Thurs mornings in the Valley Park/Manchester area. The dance studio is right next door to a Curves location. The woman working at Curves is outside every morning smoking and talking on her cell phone - certainly not a poster child for a health and fitness lifestyle. I know that I have to have outside national certifications to teach my classes, but I cannot imagine that the women working at this Curves location do. There may be a Curves certification that I don't know about, but certainly they are not fully recognized personal trainers or even GroupX certified instructors. Furthermore, the ladies who do go in and out every day don't look very motivated, and in the 7 months I have been observing, not one looks like she has gotten any benefits from her workout. It could be just this particular location?!?

Plus, I think it is like $35 a month to work out there. You can get an inexpensive membership at Club Fitness for just $20 a month that includes group exercise classes and childcare. Or, if you are in my area.....my classes are lots of fun, free for a tryout and are just pay as you go after that. Good luck with your lifestyle decisions!

I love Curves. I had a great group of Curve girlfreinds in Kirkwood, Mo.
I would drop my kids off at school, no child care, and go work out for half an hour. I felt great. Looked good and got some great adult conversation too.

I was a member of Curves for one year in Twin Oaks (Near Manchester, MO). There were some things I did appreciate, but there were enough frustrations to prevent me from renewing my membership.

It was convenient because it was less than a mile from my house and I was in and out in half an hour. Most of the machines were beneficial for me, but a couple of them I had to avoid because they caused hip pain for me. The stretching routine was also helpful. The people were friendly and helpful most of the time. Someone got snippy with me when I offered suggestions about broadening the schedule and suggested I should be more disciplined to meet their schedule. But, that only happened once from one employee. I did appreciate having a gym for only women. It's just more comfortable to work out without men in the place.

What made it difficult was the fact that the place would close too early in the evenings and for 3 hours in the middle of the day. I work close by and occasionally have long lunch breaks. I was never able to get my workout in during lunch because they were closed. I felt this was ridiculous. I doubt any men's gym would disallow men to work out during their lunch break and still stay in business. I also really disliked the loud music. I don't have a problem finding my own right exercise pace in silence or with calming, gentle music. My workout is part of my time to be away and treat myself well. I don't want loud pop rock beats, often with cutesy religious lyrics, beating me up while I exercise. Most of the women said they cannot keep a good exercise rhythm without the music and seemed to prefer it loud. My feeling was that everyone should be free to bring headphones and choose their own music or silence as they wish. They use the music tapes to remind everyone when it is time to move to the next machine. I'm sure they could have a timer that flashes a light and makes one loud beep to indicate the time for everyone to shift to the next machine. I did hear many women complain that, if Curves is for women, why don't they provide child care or at least stay open during all the hours children are in school? I no longer have a young child, but that didn't make any sense to me either. Gold's Gym does have childcare.

The bottom line is that I really did not get the results for my abs that I needed from their machines. Very few of them provide core work exercise, which is the most important for health.

There are a couple of gyms, in Town & Country and Chesterfield, that use the same idea of a series of hydrokinetic machines for a good half hour workout. They are called Fast Track. Like Curves, they close a bit early and are not open on Sundays, but they do not close at noon. The equipment is better and the staff is better trained. The atmosphere is much more pleasant and no music is imposed. Men and women are both free to attend, but this place does not seem to attract the macho types that prefer to pump iron. There are adults of all ages and the atmosphere is very respectful. At the Town & Country location, there is an excellent personal trainer available for personal sessions. She is also a trained physical therapist and can advise people with special conditions. If you are in the area and want to use the hydrokinetic exercise equipment, I would recommend you look at Fast Track. However, they do not provide childcare.

For myself, I found that Tai Chi and Yoga provide a much better experience and far better results. It is just so hard to find a class that fits my crazy schedule.

My mom goes there almost evey day. She LOVES it!

i do Hot Mama's Stroller Fit classes and they are just amazing! i do this session at Des Peres Park off Ballas & Manchester near 270. they have other locations.

if you want more info, email me back and i'll get you exact website or Karen's info (owner)

oh' i don't use a stroller and a few others don't but you are welcome too!