Jeez, why can’t they do something like this for guys? Call it…Beer Guts or something. No gym rats allowed!
Funny, I was doing my grocery shopping and noticed that there’s a Curves right on the next block from me - no idea how long it’s been there. Their signage is rather discreet, is that typical? Couldn’t be more of a contrast to the big, local women’s gym chain, Lucille Roberts, which is all Neon! and Flourescent Lights! And other cacaphony.
Wish there was a sort of equivalent for men. There’s a new, zen-like “spa-gym” for men and women not far away, but it’s monstrous expensive - like $140 a month. I’d just like a basic, calm environment where I don’t have to listen to two different aerobics instructors yelling at their students over conflicting disco music - all at the same time…
Do they have you stretch after you work out? I noticed that I got a lot less sore the next day once I started stretching afterwards.
A health club just for women! Does Martha Burke know about this exclusionary practice?
There is a stretching routine that is part of the workout. It’s at the end so it’s also a cool-down.
Same here. I wish I could just do a nice workout on the weight machines without different muscleheads coming over and offering unsolicited advice or, more importantly, a long, rambling critique of my workout. And they do it to everybody, or at least that’s the impression I’ve gotten from my friends who also go to the gym. I’ve quit going to a couple, just because various guys wanted to “help” me. Constantly. I realize that they may know what they’re doing–and yes, they’re better men than me cause they have big muscles–but I honestly don’t care.
It looks like a neat program. A co-worker friend of mine and I decided to go check the Curves out that is right down from our office. We thought it would be a great way to spend our lunch hour!
Well, on the positive side, it’s clean and friendly … very convenient, LOTS of locations, and not extrodinarily expensive. The downside? I didn’t like how they handled the money side of the business.
The $29 they advertise is only if you allow them to take it directly out of your checking account. They wouldn’t even accept a monthly payment from a credit card … only my bank account For me, this was a huge issue. If, you want to pay month to month, the price goes up to $39 per month … AND you can only go to the one Curves you register with.
I guess their approach was a little too “hard sell” for me … the girl working the counter said they were “encouraging” us to do the direct debit because then we could go to any location, participate in their “fun monthly drawings”, get a free book, etc. She was only interested in discussing the membership fees and why I should just relax and give them my checking account number.
My debate with the saleswoman was they were just a little too eager to get their hands on my banking information. I would’ve happily handed over a credit card to be debited each month … but that wasn’t acceptable. Then, she admitted that it’s a year’s contract … and it’s automatically renewed … I think she said at the 10th month.
So, my question is how many people get screwed out of another year’s membership costs because they didn’t cancel before the 10th month? I just felt they were obsessing a bit much with the money side … and putting little to no effort in the excercise and fitness concerns I had.
I know … just me … I’m weird like that.
I had no such concerns. The $39 a month is a pay-as-you-go amount; every other gym I’ve seen charges more per month if you don’t make a one-year (or six-month, or two-year) committment. You are able to go to other Curves on the $39 a month plan, as well.
Whoops, forgot to add: They do a monthly credit-card payment at the one I went to, as well as chequing account or paying monthly. Maybe it’s just the franchise owner’s policy.
Really? Well, maybe I’ll call back and talk to the owner. Although the $29 a month fee would’ve been a steal, I would’ve happily paid $39 a month as long as I could visit the other locations, be involved in the monthly drawings, etc. I didn’t feel that $39 was overpriced … after all, I paid $42 for a membership at the local “YMCA” and that place was a pit! haha
They also are discounting the membership fees throughout March and April, they told me today. I took in a bag of groceries and paid no fee at all. Yay!