Do I start this blog entry with "Why I can't stand Curves gym"? Because I have only been going for a month and a half and I hate it. Not the working out part - I am loving working out. It's this fluffy odd female place, that is like the Stepford Wives of gyms. I don't like the Curves version of a workout place for women. I think knitting burns more calories.
I am odd I admit it. But when I pay money to go work out I WANT TO WORK OUT! I don't want to chat, socialize or pretend to move. I want pain, sweat and a lot of grunting. I want results.
Apparently this is not what Curves gym is for.
At Curves (at least the one here) they arrange the workout sequence in a circle so that women can face each other to chat. The instructors (who don't instruct) walk around the middle asking you about your day. I am counting reps I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY DAY. It takes me back to my ballet years where if you talked in class the coach would throw resin at you, or a shoe and the pianist would stop playing. It was focus, focus, focus. I am wishing my old coach was in Curves to shout "Be quiet" and throw something at the chatters. But alas, I only scream in my head.
I am told this is the idea of Curves. To socialize. Some sort of corporate cult that thinks that all women want to do is chat instead of actually working out hard. I feel like I am in the Wal Mart of gym experiences and I am done.
Apparently I am not alone:
http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2005/03/15/curves_for_women_a_lot_of_hype.php
The America's Council on Exercise writes the following about Curves:
"Greany warns that women should avoidthe temptation to turn their Curves workout into a social hour. Although the camaraderie and social reinforcement is an integral part of the franchise's success at attracting and motivating non-exercisers, on many occasions the researchers noted that some women seemed more interested in chatting than exercising. "Sometimes it really is kind of like an old fashion beauty salon where women go and catch up on what's going on," says Greany."
I am just not interested in this kind of Curves experience. I think the women that go - keep their Curves. I have run into quite a few women outside of the gym who also complain about the same. They loved the concept, hated all the chatting and lack of professionalism. Curves advertises that it is affordable, but around here for just 30 dollars more a month, you could join the Montecito Health Club and gain access to two pools (one in a hotel), tennis courts, weight room, classes in yoga, spinning and the like, sauna, jacuzzi, shower, lockers etc. I think your dollar buys more at Montecito.
And at least if you are in a class with an instructor you don't have to worry about anyone bugging you during your workout - including the instructor. So in frustration...
I bought a Retro bike!
And it is a blast. Her name is Betty. I have decided to ride her every day with Brian. Brian has been bugging me to work out with him as football season fast approaches. Now we can ride all over together and I am not hunched over on my nasty mountain bike.
The office is just a few blocks from his school, both only about a 10 minute ride from my place. I can now bike everywhere.
And this bike feels like a Scooter ride, It is so damn fun.
Also, our broker is paying for a YMCA membership for us all, So Brian and I can go lift weights during the children's time in the weight room. I can now kiss this goofy workout place of Curves goodbye.
You know, no wonder men think all we do is talk. I can see where we drive men nuts with our blah blah blah. I am canceling a gym membership to get away from the constant talking. I bet men have moved far away from women just to get peace. I think some of those women work out at this gym. No men would ever join Curves - the talking would drive them screaming from the building.
With me right behind them.
Now we will have the adventures of Catherine as seen from the seat of a Retro bike.
Until next time-
C
