I joined Curves in July 2004 after having some trouble fitting into my clothes.  I didn't think that I was a couch potato, I took a walk every day, on some pretty hilly streets.  But that was not doing the job for me.  I'd done aerobics and jazzercise and liked them, and I'd gone to gyms and felt sort of self conscious because I didn't exactly have the babe image that my husband seemed to often admire.  The biggest problem was finding the time to exercise.  The gym took well over an hour out of my day, and although I used to go to the Y after work for aerobics, I wasn't working in that area anymore so that wasn't an option.  Then I heard about Curves.  I noticed an ad in the local paper and had driven past one or two or these sort of funky looking storefronts.  But I liked what I read, (for women only, not only babes, no mirrors, and only 30 minutes out of my day).  That last was what convinced me to give it a try.  The coupon I had offered 50% off on the start-up fee of $150, and a free month.  After that it was $39.99.  Not too terribly expensive considering that it was close to my house and I could go as often as I wanted to.  So I walked in and talked to the nice ladies.  They explained the concept behind Curves to me.  This is a combination of resistance training and cardio in alternating segments of I believe 30 seconds each.  This is done by having a circuit of approximately 14 machines (this differs depending on the locaion).  These machines are hydraulic machines so you don't have to ever change weights, which can be hairy if you don't know what your doing.  The more you push or pull, the more the resistance.  This allows these machines to be used by everyone from 15 to 90 because they adjust to your strenghth and gradient of workout.  Between each machine is a small platform called a recovery station on which you jog, walk, dance, or just sway.  This is the cardio portion of the workout.  So you alternate with a machine and a recovery station.  The idea is to go around the circuit twice without stopping to keep your heart rate up at it's ideal fatburnig level.  After the 30 minute workout, there is a stretching routine that enables your body to take the fullest advantage of the workout.  There is a soundtrack of music that is just the right beat for working out and it tells you when to change stations.  Every 10 minutes the lady telling you to change stations tells you to take your heart rate while she counts off 10 seconds.  This is to ensure that you are in fatburning range as defined by a chart on the wall showing your age and the ideal zone to be in.  It's very easy to follow and great fun.  Hours are from 6:00 A.M. for the off to work crowd to 8 or 9 P.M. for the after putting the kids to bed crowd.  The thing that amazed me from the beginning was the varied sizes, shapes and ages of women who show up week after week.  There are the babes who look toned and trim, there are the obese who are at least trying to do something about their problem and there are the elderly ladies who are amazingly spry, and some who aren't but who are doing their exercise nonetheless.  All ages, sizes, colors, and shapes.  All women who are getting their exercise and having a good time making friends.  There are incentives for showing up at least 3 times a week, games, prizes, and the joy of meeting some really nice people.  I recently got my Elite Member tee shirt for having passed the 200th visit mark.  Did I lose a lot of weight?  No.  But my clothese fit me much better.  I am a size down.  and I feel much fitter.  I don't need a midafternoon nap.  I've recommended Curves to all of my friends and everyone is in agreement.  This is not the place to go if you want to become a babe.  But it is definitely the place to go to lose inches, pounds, and to gain friends and feel energetic.  Highly recommended!