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Weight Loss Forum / Low Carb / January 2004Some advice on Curves?
One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it and if it has helped them while LC-ing. Thanks, rebeq (boston, ma) >One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate >hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it >and if it has helped them while LC-ing. Get thee to Curves. Do not hesitate. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040114.html Lift well, Eat less, Walk fast, Live long. >> >and if it has helped them while LC-ing. *snip* > Get thee to Curves. Do not hesitate. _________________________ Mars-ha, Mars-ha, Mars-ha, get thy head out of thy a.s - do not hesitate. Oh, and by the way: caccati in mano e prenditi a schiaffi. I walked in to our local and decided It wasn't for me- recorded program tells you to advance to the next machine- I wasn't impressed with ours- My treadmill at home is better, but check your curves out- they offer a free workout  Signature--------------------------------------------------------------------- "Are you still wasting your time with spam?... There is a solution!" Protected by GIANT Company's Spam Inspector The most powerful anti-spam software available. http://mail.spaminspector.com > One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate > hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it > and if it has helped them while LC-ing. > > Thanks, rebeq (boston, ma) Same for me.......cool for some....not for me. ~*~Pie~*~ > I walked in to our local and decided It wasn't for me- recorded program > tells you to advance to the next machine- I wasn't impressed with ours- My [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > > > Thanks, rebeq (boston, ma) > One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate > hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it > and if it has helped them while LC-ing. > > Thanks, rebeq (boston, ma) I enjoy mine quite a bit. It's really simple and quick, making it a good start for women who have never worked out before. They have a low-carb diet plan as well, which you don't have to follow, but at least it means the employees know what you're talking about if you do want to discuss diet. You get weighed and measured every month, which is great incentive for me, and different locations sometimes have different little games you can play while working out. Mine has a different game every day, and I like games so sometimes that motivates me to go when I don't really "feel like it." I think working out there has definitely helped me, but I was a total couch potato before. SignatureMichelle Levin http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. Can you sign up for a short time, or is it a year at a time? Also, what is the cost monthly? I'm thinking of trying it, but am coming off a severe sprained ankle since October and still have a little trouble if I'm on my foot too long. Do you think the type of excercise that is done there would be something I can do? Thanks for the information in advance. -- Cheri Type 2, no meds for now. Luna wrote in message ... >I enjoy mine quite a bit. It's really simple and quick, making it a good >start for women who have never worked out before. They have a low-carb [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. The price varies by location. I believe they do have an option where you can pay month-to-month, but it costs more. If you sign a yearlong contract and you want out earlier, you pay the difference between what you've been paying and the month-to-month rate, up to a maximum of 5 months worth at my location. The specific machines also vary by location, but I think all the locations have "recovery platforms" in between machines, where you are supposed to jog in place to keep your heartrate up. I bet that would kill your ankle. If you explain your ankle injury to them (they ask about injuries when you sign up) they may be able to do something for you like let you skip the platforms until you're healed (although you may get in other people's way if you do that) or they may have some other alternative for you. I suggest calling your location and discussing it with them. > Can you sign up for a short time, or is it a year at a time? Also, what > is the cost monthly? I'm thinking of trying it, but am coming off a [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > >I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 > flaws. SignatureMichelle Levin http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. Thanks for the info. I will check with them, but at least I know how it works now. -- Cheri Type 2, no meds for now. Luna wrote in message ... >The price varies by location. I believe they do have an option where you >can pay month-to-month, but it costs more. If you sign a yearlong contract [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > >I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. >locations have "recovery platforms" in between machines, where you are >supposed to jog in place to keep your heartrate up. I bet that would kill >your ankle No jogging! Your heart rate should already be up from the machine. > >locations have "recovery platforms" in between machines, where you are > >supposed to jog in place to keep your heartrate up. I bet that would kill > >your ankle > > No jogging! Your heart rate should already be up from the machine. Yeah, but to _keep_ it up, I have to jog. Some women just walk, some do more creative stuff. Also, at my location, they told me some women go every day, but they alternate between going heavy on the machines and going light on the machines but heavy on the cardio. SignatureMichelle Levin http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. >> >locations have "recovery platforms" in between machines, where you are >> >supposed to jog in place to keep your heartrate up. I bet that would kill [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >every day, but they alternate between going heavy on the machines and going >light on the machines but heavy on the cardio. ??? You should be going heavy on the Cardio BY going heavy on the machines. Hey, I won't harp on it anymore, but if Gary (the man who invented the circuit) was in your club, he would immediately stop anyone from jogging and make them work the machine so hard they can barely get off it at the end of 30 seconds, much less jog for the next 30 seconds. I know, I've seen him do it. (he also freaks out when people jam the squat machine down on their shoulders, or develop a rhythm on the leg press) I've seen a professional stunt man wear himself out on those machines. The circuit really was designed to be used a certain way, and I just think it's sad that the franchise grown has grown so rapidly that they can't keep up with proper training and classes for owners and their staff like they use to. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/237/140 & hubby- 310/266/180 > >> >locations have "recovery platforms" in between machines, where you are > >> >supposed to jog in place to keep your heartrate up. I bet that would [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Me- 265/237/140 > & hubby- 310/266/180 I get that, I go as hard on the machines as I can. But no matter how hard I go on some of them, especially the ones where you're sitting and just working your arms, I definitely can still jog. Also, ok, if the platforms aren't for jogging or walking, what are you supposed to do there, just stand still? I thought the whole point of circuit training was to get your muscle building and your aerobics all in one package. SignatureMichelle Levin http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. >Also, ok, if the platforms >aren't for jogging or walking, what are you supposed to do there, just >stand still? I thought the whole point of circuit training was to get your >muscle building and your aerobics all in one package. Never said they weren't for walking. Walk, tap your toes to the music, twist. Do something low-impact. You do get your muscle building and aerobics together. On the machines. Someday if the club is empty, you should try doing a few machines in a row, skipping the platforms. Not recommended for everyday, but it'll definitely convince you of their aerobic capabilities, LOL! If you get your heart rate down a tiny bit on the recovery platforms, you'll have that much more "oomph!" for the next machine! :-) If you can't get enough out of the bicep-tricep machine, you may want to have the people who work there service and/or replace the hydraulics on it. (not sure how old and/or busy your club is, but they do wear out) And make sure your inner wrists are facing each other, not facing up while you alternate pushing and pulling. My husband (who despite being fat, has always been VERY muscular also) could wear himself out on that machine, but he'd do twice as many reps as I did to do it. The key really is that if you feel like you could do a few more reps when you get off, you didn't move it fast enough and/or through the full range of motion that those machines require. Or that they have bad hydraulics. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/237/140 & hubby- 310/264.5/180 > >Also, ok, if the platforms > >aren't for jogging or walking, what are you supposed to do there, just [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Me- 265/237/140 > & hubby- 310/264.5/180 Gotcha. I know they service the machines in some way, tightening them or something, every day on their lunch break, and I usually go in after lunch. On some of the machines, especially the squat machine, my legs are very wobbly when I get off, and I do just walk in place for about 10 or 15 seconds, but then I pick up the pace again. It's so hard not to jog or dance!! When my heartrate gets up into the "fat burning range" I just start feeling so good I can't help it. I know something must be working right, I must be getting stronger, because on a few machines I count the number of reps I can do and I am able to do more than when I started. Like on the squat, when I started I could only do 6, now I'm up to 11. Oh, and the employees pay special attention when someone's on that particular machine to make sure they're doing it right, since that one has the most potential for back injury if you do it wrong. SignatureMichelle Levin http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. >Gotcha. I know they service the machines in some way, tightening them or >something, every day on their lunch break, and I usually go in after lunch. Hmm... They probably clean them, but I doubt they rotate and lubricate the hydraulic cylinders every day. If they do, they're more ambitious than I ever was when I worked there, LOL! If there is a machine you can't wear the muscle out on, I'd ask them for help on it. It's hard to know who to push and who not to. I mean, I had an 73 year old member who would do about 5 reps on each machine and that was being superwoman for her! One trick I would do when people said they couldn't build up enough resistance was to grab the machine (while they were using it) and pump it really hard for them (the shoulder press and leg curl were the best for this) a few times. Then I'd let go and they'd feel how much resistance had built up from going faster. (and usually say "Oh WOW!" as they strained to keep up with it.) LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/237/140 & hubby- 310/264.5/180 > >Gotcha. I know they service the machines in some way, tightening them or > >something, every day on their lunch break, and I usually go in after lunch. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Me- 265/237/140 > & hubby- 310/264.5/180 Well, I definitely feel like I'm wearing the muscles out, I think. They "burn" if you know what I mean, and when I leave there I feel all wobbly and kind of drunk, and sore the next day. BUT, during the workout, about halfway through, I start feeling like I have more overall energy than when I came in, and that's usually when I pick up the pace more on the platforms. I don't want to mislead you and make you think that my jogging is all huffing and puffing, I talk with other people during my whole workout. And it's not jogging like you would do outside, it's, well, I guess it's more like bouncy walking. If I just walk or twist or sway, I promise you, my heart-rate drops out of fat burning range pretty quickly. I like to keep my heart-rate pretty steady throughout, instead of having it drop on the platforms and go back up on the machines. I feel more tired after the machines than after the platforms. SignatureMichelle Levin http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. > I feel more tired >after the machines than after the platforms. And that's a good thing! :-) LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/237/140 & hubby- 310/264.5/180 >................. The circuit really was designed to be used a > certain way, and I just think it's sad that the franchise grown has grown so > rapidly that they can't keep up with proper training and classes for owners and > their staff like they use to. i must agree! i joined our local CURVES, and was VERY disappointed. the music, was BLASTING, DISCO BEAT music, and there were MIRRORS everywhere, and NO "community feeling" at all...................... i resigned my membership, lost some money, and never looked back! (i was a little jealous of all those in here, who seemed to LOVE their CURVES franchise) guess what? our local CURVES, WENT OUT OF BUSINESS...................i guess i wasn't the only one who was disappointed! >(i was a little jealous of all those in here, who seemed to LOVE >their CURVES franchise) [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >our local CURVES, WENT OUT OF BUSINESS...................i guess i >wasn't the only one who was disappointed! That's too bad. A Curves run correctly is a great thing! LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/237/140 & hubby- 310/264.5/180 > Can you sign up for a short time, or is it a year at a time? Also, what > is the cost monthly? I'm thinking of trying it, but am coming off a > severe sprained ankle since October and still have a little trouble if > I'm on my foot too long. Do you think the type of excercise that is done > there would be something I can do? Thanks for the information in > advance. Swimming might be a better exercise for you then since the water carries your weight and all you need to do is move through it. You might check out a Y membership. I have unlimited swimming for just over $40/month... plus about 30 different fitness classes I can attend (aerobics, yoga, tai chi, pilates, power cycling, aquasize)... plus a fitness center with personal trainers... racquetball and squash courts... sauna and steam room in the locker room (that gets me there even if I don't feel like working out!) I paid the extra $18 for a family membership, so all 4 of us can go as much as we want for $15 each. For me, the swimming is the biggest advantage becuase I can't do anything aerobic for any length of time without pain because of the excess weight. Swimming makes it a lot easier. I tend to swim after an exercise class, but am taking the lamer exercise classes for now (I *really* enjoy Tai Chi). > One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate > hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it > and if it has helped them while LC-ing. > > Thanks, rebeq (boston, ma) it's better than nothing, but not as good as a good free weight program. > > One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate > > hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > it's better than nothing, but not as good as a good free weight program. And be careful. If you choose the month by month with checking acct debit it is cheaper BUT...... they will debit your account on a regualr monthly basis whether you are there or not. I was going last year and dropping my then 4 years old off at Grammys for her to watch while I went, well..... Gram took sick, DH moved to Seattle for 3 months to be with her b/c she has surgery and couldn't get off the ventilator, she died, and all went to hell. So with no babysitter and life in havoc I stopped going and they continued to debit my account because it WAS a one year contract. If you chose to pay by check each month it is quite a bit more. Hell..... before I pay that kind of money again I will walk LOL!!! Laureen > > > One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate > > > hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > money again I will walk LOL!!! > Laureen Well, my location said if you want to quit they will charge $10 a month for every month you've been going (the difference between a contract rate and a pay by the month rate) with a maximum of $50. SignatureMichelle Levin http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws. A lot of people point out that walking is a lot cheaper than Curves. You can't argue with that, but for a lot of people walking doesn't work because the motivation isn't there. I joined Curves just before Christmas. I've decided to do three months at the monthly rate and then decide if I want to commit to a year. I don't want to pay for a yer until I've had a chance to see what my longer term enthusiasm for the program looks like. I also would never given ANYONE permission to automatically debit my checking or savings account. Ever. There are just too many hassles if there is ever a billing dispute. Use your credit card (not your debit/check card). This way you are protected if your franchise goes under, rates change without announcement, an employee decides to embezzle, etc. Back to the question of free vs. paying for Curves. So far, I find that paying for Curves is well worth it. Even ignoring the specter of having to walk in this sub-freezing weather and the fact that our neighbor hood is not pedestrian friendly, the routine is, well, too routine. At Curves my 1/2 hour consists of constantly changing exercises. If I hate what I'm doing right now, I don't care. In 30 seconds I'll be doing something else. Interspersed with this is conversation with others, all in a safe, warm environment. Last week our Curves monitor brought in a pack of Trivial Pursuit cards. We all got so wrapped up in the game that I was two stations into my fourth circuit before I realized I had gone into extra exercise. I'm still amazed that I accidentally exercised more than I planned to. This would never, ever have happened walking on my own in the cold dark of early morning. > > > > One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate > > > > hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > every month you've been going (the difference between a contract rate and a > pay by the month rate) with a maximum of $50. > One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate > hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it > and if it has helped them while LC-ing. > > Thanks, rebeq (boston, ma) I've been going to Curves for two years, and I really like it. But, you have to be pretty motivated to get the most out of the workout. Many women there just seem to go through the motions, and don't get much of a workout for the time spent. If you really work the machines hard (that's where you increase your heart rate) and use the recovery pads, you can effectively exhaust your muscles (pretty much all major muscles) after a workout. We currently have 12 machines. Most Curves start with the basic 8 machines, and add more when membership reaches a certain level - at least that's how our's works. So, one time around is about 12 minutes. Most ladies do the circuit twice. I don't feel I get enough of a workout in 24 minutes, so I do the circle 4 times. At least, I'm getting a good aerobic workout, even if a free weight program would be more effective for muscle defining and strengthening. After my workout, I do a set of abdominal crunches - we have a few of those ab roller things that I find, also, to be pretty good. And, we have some hand weights that I use, to exhaust my triceps (which don't seem to get much work from the Curves machines) and biceps. And, I take yoga classes. I think Curves is a great workout, but it's not complete. Better than nothing, not as good as other workouts out there. Lee > One of those "Curves" gyms just opened up in my town. I'd appreciate > hearing from anyone who works out there as to what they think about it > and if it has helped them while LC-ing. > > Thanks, rebeq (boston, ma) Absolutely. They help you build lean body mass (muscle) which helps metabolize fat. Good way to get past a plateau. The wife has just about lost 24 inches and Curves helped her get there along with my low-carb cooking. TC Thanks for all the advice. If I find I am plateauing I might try it for 3 months, but for now just starting back on atkins and have some aerobic equipment at home. My main concern is that my grip strength isn't what it used to be, as I have carpal tunnel syndrome pretty badly. But on the upside, the very short time period for each exercise would keep my hands from going numb (can only hold on to things for about 10 minutes). <<--Completed first week of induction with a 7 lb loss! (Yes, I know it's water, but it still feels good)-->> Rebeq |
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