I used to be a member. Quit only because I got too lazy to make use of it. I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's true.
Most of them are set up pretty much the same. You check it (they have a keytag scanner) and step onto one of the machines. There's upbeat music playing and, every 30 seconds, the voice says, "change stations now". You get off the machine you're using, step onto a running pad and run in place for 30 seconds. "Change stations now" and the process repeats. At the Curves where I went, you went around the room, using each station twice to get your 30-minute workout. There were additional pieces of equipment in the room that you could also use to lengthen your workout.
You're not on any one machine long enough to really work up a heavy sweat, just get your cardio signs up (pulse, heartrate, etc.) Also about every 5 minutes, the voice tells you to stop and check your heartrate to see if you are on target. If it's too low, you're working too slowly.
There are no showers, just restrooms for changing. It's ladies only. No fancy-schmancy workout clothes required (I wore slacks and a comfortable top, maybe a clip to hold my hair back). In our Curves, there weren't walls and walls of mirrors to make you feel self-conscious.
They weigh you about once a week, but that's your choice. Not a requirement.
The stations in the photo below are a bit closer together than you'll find in one of their centers, but it gives you an idea of the set-up:
Go to
http://www.curves.com and look for promotions. They'll usually let you come in for a few days on a trial basis to see if you like their program. (1 week pass, for instance.)
You're encouraged to go at least 3 times a week and to do some other kind of exercise (running, walking, jogging, whatever) on at least 3 other days. Far as I know, if you want to go to Curves 6 days a week (they're usually closed on Sundays and holidays), they wouldn't have a problem with that.
Lois
