I am sure that his has been asked before.

But

What is the verdict on Curves? I kick my tail there (I really go to town for 30 minutes) but my nutrtionist said that I should be doing 45 minutes... has anyone done just curves and been successeful?

Well if its working for you thats all that matters. It's probably just a matter of where your fitness level is. For me a half an hour wouldn't be enough. But for a beginning 30 minutes would give you great results. So if its working for you, keep with it. Maybe down the road you might have to reevaluate. Happy exercising :frown:

The woman at my local Curves lets us go around as many times as we want to---even though the work out is suggested at 2 laps, and stretching.

I do 3 laps there, have a treadmill, and an elliptical at home, and usually ride the elliptical in addition to Curves, then my DH and I do some light upper body free weights, for toning. He had open heart surgery so he is working to get those muscles back, and I am just a weakling I guess!!! But I found varying it a bit, has helped me enjoy it more.

I like my Curves time. I go with a friend, and I enjoy the upbeat music, and getting out of the house, and doing something makes me feel better. But the convenience of the elliptical on days like today with lots of snow....is great too. I listen to books on DVD while I walk. Keeps me with incentive to go walk some more!! I actually find myself pushing and going further so I can hear more, if it is a good place!

The free weights, are just a dumbell set we bought at Big 5. But I feel it when we up weight or add reps---my muscles react!!!

You could also always walk for the extra time. My Dr, said that was the best thing anyone could do for themselves!

Kat

My gym has a curves type circuit. Im going to try it tonight. Im gonna go kick my butt there.

However, Im also tacking it onto my everyday workout 30-45 on the elliptical. Maybe you could try the same thing. Also there is no rule (I dont think) that says you can only do 30 mins of the circuit. I thought part of its awesomeness was that it is customizable. You could add another half of the circuit to your current workout.

Dibaby is right, if it is working for you and you are still losing weight keep on keeping on.

I enjoy curves. everytime I am there I go around 4 times.. I get my bodybugg in a few days and am curious to see how many calories I am burning the 6 days a week that I go there.

the only thing that I dont like about curves is their hours. they close so early.

I enjoy Curves also. I have been going since 3/07. Coming from not doing any exercise, I thought it would be a great non-threatening way to start exercising. Initially, I did only the minimum of 30 minutes 3 times per week. I have since moved up to more; depending on the day. Here lately I have been getting in 50 minutes per visit and going 4-5 times per week. I will usually go around the circuit twice and then on the third "loop" I will switch up and move from machine to machine concentrating on my stomach and back , but not in any order (depending on how crowded it is). From what i have read in the past, there seems to be mixed feelings about Curves. It depends on the person. I like the fact that it is all women, the facilitator's and other women working out are supportive, encouraging and friendly. I miss it on the few occasions when I am not able to make it. I am the only one who has had lap band surgery (to my knowledge) and not all of them know that. I also have access to treadmill & elliptical bikes at work so I will also do that as well as some cardio exercises at home. My goal is to buy a treadmill at home in the very near future. So I guess what I am trying to say is just doing the "minimum" at Curves is not enough. And it is best to add other things in for variety as well.

The other thing about Curves is that the way the equipment is designed, using the "shocks" for resistance, the faster you do the moves, the stiffer the shock reacts, causing the workout to be harder. That is why it can be adapted to anyones abilities.

Pretty much takes it down to being that with Curves you get out of it what you put into it.

My Mom goes, and she slowly and methodically lifts or pushes or pulls, she does not try for any speed, her main goal is just keeping movement---as she heals from a shoulder surgery. She begins on the same machine, follows the arrows, does exactly 2 rounds, regardless!!! Mostly she tries to increase her movement in her shoulder on the recovery pads, but I doubt she ever much raises her heart rate. And she is not willing to do it any differently!!

When I go, I pump the machines as fast as I can to get my heart rate up quickly, then do whatever my mood hits me on the recovery pads---jogging in place, jumping jacks, usually things with my arms over my head--to keep it pumping harder---anything to keep my heart rate up, and attempt to do that for a full 30 minutes. I look at the clock when I sign in, and try to make my work out hard for the 30 to sometimes 45 minutes. When I hit whatever time target I set for myself I quit, stretch, and go home!

If you will work at it, it will work for you! Sounds like it is to me!

Kat

It's definitely a matter of personal preference, as well as your specific Curves -- I've heard mixed messages about them. I liked the women-only atmosphere and the upbeat music at mine, but the instructors there (I don't remember what they are called) weren't very knowledgeable at all about the machines or the right way to use them. I didn't feel comfortable because I was a beginner and worried about straining or hurting myself. But I know a lot of women that love it, so to each her own. I prefer walking and doing DVDs at home; after I'm banded I may look into a gym or some other type of organized exercise.

But if Curves is working for you, then go for it!

I really like Curves. I lost 50 pounds before I was ever banded and I consider Curves to be a big part of that loss.

I lost about 30# before surgery with the help of Curves. I go on my lunch hours which is convenient for me. They say it is equivelant to 1 1/2 hours in the gym. The one I go to by my work is great. The machines have resistance and the employees are well trained on all of the machines. The one by my house is a different story. The machines have NO resistance and the employees even do the machines incorrectly... I think it varies by location.

i just got measured after going 6 days a week 4 times around the circuit for a month. i lost 10 inches and 10 lbs. i was happy with the loss- esp. since i have no restriction yet.

butttttt. with my body bugg i can see that even going around the circuit 4 times you only burn 500something calories. that is way less than i imagined. and I really go to town there. push, pull, and run to my fullest ability. I burn more sleeping and working than i do at curves. though it is only 44 minutes out of my day.

i will continue.

you can go for more than 30 minutes, I usually do 3 to 4 rounds and hit the machines really hard, you get out what you put in, just like any exercise.!

with my body bugg

What's a "body bugg"?

I may ask *Aunt Linda*, the owner of my local Curves, if I can have a one month trial to try the place out.

She's not really my aunt. She's my best friend's sister-in-law, and we all consider ourselves family. (My kids call all the women in the family "Aunt".) I believe you don't have to be related to be family, you just have to love each other, and you can never have too many people who love you.