TCF, you deserve a pity party. Pain is a bummer.

Back to curves, I once considered buying a health club franchise and was informed that exercise places do not make money from people coming for exercise.
They make it from selling membership contracts. They market memberships in cycles and with each marketing blitz, they sell tons more memberships than they could possibly accomodate. They then purposely make it difficult for people to attend by limiting hours, etc. When that group of contracts run out they open up the hours and offer a lot of perks for the next marketing blitz and sell more contracts and do the same thing again.
I've noticed that with exercise places around here pretty often. Maybe curves is the same. Hope not.
smile

TCF, you deserve a pity party. Pain is a bummer.

Back to curves, I once considered buying a health club franchise and was informed that exercise places do not make money from people coming for exercise.
They make it from selling membership contracts. They market memberships in cycles and with each marketing blitz, they sell tons more memberships than they could possibly accomodate. They then purposely make it difficult for people to attend by limiting hours, etc. When that group of contracts run out they open up the hours and offer a lot of perks for the next marketing blitz and sell more contracts and do the same thing again.
I've noticed that with exercise places around here pretty often. Maybe curves is the same. Hope not.
smile

I think the Curves all have different hours. It depends on the owner. Our hours were just extended, but they are still closed on Sundays. I love that! It's one day I don't even have to think about going. I wish eveything else was closed on Sunday like it was when we were kids. Remember that?

My Curves in Moundsville, WV, is wonderful. In two months, without dieting, I lost 10 pounds and 14 inches and a whole size. I was more energetic and it actually helped ease my fibromyalgia symptons - until November 2003. My body is at war with itself, so I'm currently on medical leave from Curves - but I recommend it to anyone, especially someone who hasn't worked out in a long while. The hydraulics are good for beginner and middle level workouts. The best advantage I saw was the combination of aerobic, stretching and weight resistance training. In the first month, I lost 5 inches from my tummy. Without a Diet!

The atmosphere at my Curves is fun and uplifting. We all laugh a lot.

The owner of my Curves explained that as the membership increased, so do the hours and the ability to purchase new equipment. We are up to 10 machines, which is great for a town with only 10,000 people.

Dian, I counted this morning and we have 13 machines. Our hours are really great too. I think it's because I live in a very populated area and that makes a difference.

Curves has been a God send for me because my walking partner moved and I use to walk almost 4 miles about 5 times a week. The thing I like about Curves is that I'm working my whole body and not just the legs and butt!

Praying you get back to it soon! I think the atmosphere is therapeutic.

Also, my son informed me that Curves was the second fastest growing franchise last year. First was Subway.

Sounds like we're becoming healthier Am ericans!