Curves: Fitness for (Busy) Women

As recently as three weeks ago, I had a gym membership at one of the best clubs in the country. From its own climbing wall to a fusion of yoga and Pilates classes, this place had everything needed to turn me into a fitness goddess. Well, everything but the most crucial component - me. I didn't go for two reasons: intimidation by what I perceived to be other's overwhelmingly better physical abilities, and the distance between my house and the gym.

After paying for six months worth of fitness I experienced possibly four times, I'm looking for a change of pace and a fitness program I can stick with. To avoid excuses, I walked across the street from my house to the local Curves - they are within walking distance and had, what I hoped, were women just like me, the kind that claim to be too busy to work out.

Here is what you can expect at your first visit at Curves. The facility is relatively small in comparison to other gyms I've visited, but its size isn't indicative of the kind of kick-butt workout you can get. The floor contains hydraulic strength machines and cardio stations. You alternate between machines and cardio jogs every minute of the recommended 30-minute workout session. Don't be fooled by the hydraulics concept. At first I wondered just how that would work, as you can't adjust the weight. What happens if you work out on them long enough, and get used to the resistance? Well, it's not quiet that simple - your strength provides the resistance, so the stronger you are the harder the workout gets. Essentially, you keep yourself in check in terms of your strength training. But I digress. Back to the first visit consult.

The Curves associate (possibly owner, but I am not sure how this works from a business perspective) asked some health related questions, weighed me, measured my body fat, took my body measurements, and discussed my fitness and weight goals with me. The whole process took about 20 minutes, and left me feeling very comfortable by the prospective goals we set based on her handy size and weight charts.

My overall impression can be summed up in three statements.