I started with Curves 3-4 years ago. Back then our Curves was still situated in Parklands. I truly enjoyed gyming with Curves, as the staff at that point were young, enthusiastic and very helpfull. When Curves moved over to sunningdale, things started to change...
The old staff had all left by then, and the new staff just couldn't keep hold of the zest the old staff had brought to curves.
For a year this lukewarm gyming experience continued, and then another round of staff changes. From here on out things truly hit an all time low...
When I'd come to gym, there would be no one on the circuit to guide the ladies. Occasionally the lady at the reception would glance over and ask whether everything was still alright. The other staff members would either be in the back room, or pacing around everywhere except inside the circuit!
Weigh and measure had become seriously discouraging, with faulty measurements being taken each time, as a new staff member would always take measurements each month, being the cause of these innacuracies.
With the introduction of Curves Smart I thought there might be some light for this dark tunnel, but not even a month into Curves Smart, and complaints were flying around. The system was absolutely horrible! Most machines had impossible targets, other targets were set so low, I honestly couldn't notice I was gyming! All this resulted in a very unrounded workout.
Further more, most of the ladies doing Curves Smart have no clue how to adjust their time to fit into the 30 seconds per block/machine. This caused, and is still causing immense frustration to myself and I'm sure to others aswell. Gyming is no longer a smooth transition from one block to another, but a stop-wait-go, stop-wait-go. People are being held up by the Curves Smart System.
In order to avoid this hassle, I have decided to shift my workout to 7:00 pm, as doors close 7:30 pm, giving me enough time to finish, without catching the afternoon rush.
Often, I arrive plus/minus 5 minutes of this time. The club manager, Vivian has assured me that this is no problem, but I am experiencing problems with one of the staff members, Jacqui. Upon arriving, I am told to "hurry up" as they close in 30 minutes. Even on hot summers days she would turn of the airconditioning at 7:15, leaving those on the circuit to finish their workout in the uncomfortable heat. There have been occasions that I'd arrive at 7:10 pm, but I'd only do half of my workout then, to make sure that I am finished by 7:30. But still, Jacqui continues to make my gyming experience worse.
I have cancelled my membership a month ago, but apparently my membership can only be cancelled in two months time, as I did not give notice strictly on the first of the month.
Since then, Zumba classes have been introduced, which I am not interested in. But some of the classes are held in the times that I wish to come for my workout. When these classes are held, the running blocks are removed, once again, making the workout uncomfortable.
I have dwindled from 5-6 workouts a week to 3 workouts if lucky. I cannot afford to have my workout delayed as I truly only have 30 minutes to spend due to my dance classes that run from between 8 - 10 pm most nights. It is impossible to come earlier that 7:00 as there are so many people, most on Curves Smart with no clue how to use the system correctly, that you are held there for up to an hour instead of 30 minutes. But coming later is becoming such a regretfull experience due to rude staff!
Please, Curves Sunningdale, get your act together, train the Curves Smart Users, scedule earlier times for Zumba classes, appoint better staff, and attend your customers, on and off the circuit!!!
Don't lose more customers due to bad service!!

I became a member of curves in March 2008, in May 2009 I contacted the Supplier and asked if I can cancel my membership via e-mail, it was confirmed that there shouldn't be any problems. After numerous calls and e-mails they still deduct the monthly fees from my bank account. The manageres promise me everyday that she will ensure that the contract will be cancelled and that the area manager will contact me but without any luck. I need to know what I should do to cancel my membership.

This is more of a warning if you want to cancel your Curves Membership. If you give your 30 day's notice, you must still book an appointment with the owner/manager to sign off on the cancellation (be prepared to be drilled as to why you are quitting). They don't advise you of this little requirement. I found out only because I called to make sure they received my written request; their response was oh yes, but you still have to come in and sign off or your card will be charged. No where on the agreement does it say that, nor was that information volunteered as no-one called me when I submitted my notice. So if anyone that wants to quit, be sure you make that appointment. It was too ironic that the owner said to me, Oh we will miss chatting with you - that is the #1 reason why I quit! The non-stop yapping was so irritating and the so-called "trainers" tried to encourage conversation despite my repeated requests that I didn't care for it. One "trainer" distracted me to the point that I stepped off the "resting" board and sprained my ankle; she claimed responsibility but my ankle hurt for weeks. I know of other patrons who have quit for the same reasons. It's unfortunate, because I did quite like the machines. So in saying all that - make sure you make a cancellation appointment, sign off, get a copy, along with the written notice! Good luck to all of you who have problems with Curves.

I joined up with curves because i thought it would be a great way of shedding a few kilos.
I enjoyed it but then my Grandmother got sick and I got a job in September 2009, so I didn't bother going back. After a while I realized that they were still taking money out so in February 2010 I rang curves and told them that I wanted to cancell my membership but they talked me into being put on hold for medical reasons so I agreed, then sometime after that I notified Curves that I would be returning but never did. then I realize that another payment had been taking out of my account and that was on a Saturday also there were other payments taking out of my account on other occasion, then I rang them again told them that I wanted to cancell my membership she said that was ok. I ended up taking my son to a Ear Nose & Throat specialist in Newcastle to get his ears checked then come to my surprise I went to draw my money out and notice that there was money missing Curves took another payment out, when I got back to the Country I rang curves and they told me that they were going to put it back in my bank the next day which never happened. I kept ringing Curves leaving messages they rang twice on my mobile during my work hours were I left message saying if you contact me please ring me on my work number if in work hours, then I get a phone call saying that they can only refund me $9.95 because I have to pay a cancellation fee of $50.00...
I am not very happy with how this operates, Curves should have something that keeps them up to date of how many clients use there facilities on a regular bases.

Now I am the one that got sucked in by something that ripped me of, so I feel for all you guys that are complaining about how Curves is runned.. Very bad thats all I can say

The owner of Curves, Franchise, in Sacramento, CA exists only to collect dollars from desperate "fatties." I enrolled in the program, read the contract, and foolishly made a commitment for 12 months. Further, I authorized automatic payments from my bank account each month.

My issue is noncompliance with the contract by owner. Albeit it is stated above not to specify contract information, breach of contract is the issue.

There are 2-3 pages to the contract and the one section that made some impression on me was the need to have a physician's verification to enroll. While I mentioned some physical problems, the individual who reviewed the contract with me stated that it was okay to proceed with acceptance of the contract w/o medical documentation. As it turned out, I became ill during a workout session, was asked to "call it quits for the day", see my physician to see cause of wheezing and shortness of breath. Following an exam by my physician, I was asked not to continue with the program.

The above information was received by the owner of Curves in a very indignant fashion when I stated I should be refunded the start up fee since they did not insist upon a medical release as required in the contract. I advised the owner that the individual, a young student, simply took my word that I was physically fit and I started the program two days later. In backtracking some, when the owner learned that I needed to stop the program, she stated fine but you have to sign this, a small sheet of paper that she swept from my hands when learning that I wanted a refund. When I pursued the conversation by asking her for a copy of the contract where they were negligent, she refused stating that I signed the contract and they really didn't need medical approval. Her very unprofessional manner included a statement, "we did enough for you(?)" I'm truly puzzled by that statement, the short time I participated was work on my part w/o much guidance. The "trainers" were somewhat laid back in their role.