Curves is not the only company selling beginner workouts to out-of-shape women in a non-intimidating way. They may be the only national chain in the business, and they may be the only one with such extreme standardization. Those are good for marketing, but I don't think they're good for customers.
There's a storefront women's fitness place on Mass Ave in Cambridge that looks to be competing with Curves rather than Healthworks. (The name of the place escapes me, but I know just where it is.) The sign in the window advertises their low prices. Their hours are almost as limited as Curves, which is not open evenings or weekends at all, nor early mornings. I think Healthworks is open from 5-6am until 10-11pm. Curves only allows for one workout. That's all. As people have said above, it's intended for mild general conditioning, but it's extremely regimented. Someone who can't do the standard workout because of injury or somesuch needs to go to another gym to exercise other parts of the body. And someone who becomes fit enough that the standard workout isn't challenging needs to go to another gym to get an actual workout.)
One thing that makes me uncomfortable about Curves is the focus on weight loss. There are a lot of women who are out of shape and in need of a beginner workout that is presented in a non-intimidating way, in a supportive atmosphere. (Including a lot of people who can't afford a Healthworks membership fee.) The Curves-competitor had signs in their window about getting fit, about strength and stamina and health. Curves pushes fitness progress in terms of losing weight, and I don't like the connotations of that.
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There's a storefront women's fitness place on Mass Ave in Cambridge that looks to be competing with Curves rather than Healthworks. (The name of the place escapes me, but I know just where it is.) The sign in the window advertises their low prices. Their hours are almost as limited as Curves, which is not open evenings or weekends at all, nor early mornings. I think Healthworks is open from 5-6am until 10-11pm. Curves only allows for one workout. That's all. As people have said above, it's intended for mild general conditioning, but it's extremely regimented. Someone who can't do the standard workout because of injury or somesuch needs to go to another gym to exercise other parts of the body. And someone who becomes fit enough that the standard workout isn't challenging needs to go to another gym to get an actual workout.)
One thing that makes me uncomfortable about Curves is the focus on weight loss. There are a lot of women who are out of shape and in need of a beginner workout that is presented in a non-intimidating way, in a supportive atmosphere. (Including a lot of people who can't afford a Healthworks membership fee.) The Curves-competitor had signs in their window about getting fit, about strength and stamina and health. Curves pushes fitness progress in terms of losing weight, and I don't like the connotations of that.