Curves For Women

Curves is a unique place. The motto the founder started this franchise on was «No Makeup, No men, No Mirrors»
It is the gym for the ungymed. A place where non-​muscle heads can feel at home. There is a high percentage of elderly people but I brought my daughter with me and we work out together.
It is also unusual in that it is pretty low-​frills. No elaborate change room (curtain) or showers to up your membership fees. You come, work out and go home. The new owners are sprucing the place up and will be painting at the end of November 2012.
Many of the members are used to working out with each other and a sense of community has been formed there. It is a really homey atmosphere as the management lets members display things they have for sale, there is a book trading shelf as well as a «I’ve grown out of this, do you want it» rack.
The workout on the circuit is as strenuous or light as you would like. It is all hydraulics so the faster and harder you work, the harder it becomes. I have seen women basically sail through it without even breaking a sheen, never mind a sweat. I have also seen women work hard and get what is obviously a great workout in.
You can purchase memberships on a month-​to-​month basis for $ 49, which is what I am doing. If you purchase a year in advance it is a bit lower of a rate.
In the end, it depends what type of experience and gym you are looking for. I would recommend this one for those that are easily intimidated by gyms, haven’t previously attended a gym, have special physical needs (obesity, seniors, recovering from illness) or you just want a low key place to get a workout in.

I dropped into Curves to get some info as I liked the idea of being done my workout in ½ hour. However I don’t think this is the place for me. When I walked in I lost my «excitement» immediately. I walked into Justin Bieber over the sound system while a handful of elderly woman made their rounds. Don’t get me wrong, I love seniors, however the point I am trying to make is I felt completely out of place! The walls were bare and bland, the whole atmosphere just seemed a bit depressing… I also was not a fan of paying a «sign up fee» and signing a 12 month contract, so I declined. I will continue my search…