I've just left Curves gym - I was paying Ł40 a month, but I think it would have been Ł34 if I had paid for a whole year rather than month on month.

I left for similar reasons to Suja; the opening times just didn't work for me. My club opened at 9am weekdays through to 7.30pm, so unless I was working from home and could go early evening or at lunchtime I couldn't get there. On Saturdays it opened from 10 till 1, which meant if I went on a Saturday morning by the time I got home and had a shower the whole morning was gone. And it didn't open at all on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

I just felt the opening hours meant I wasn't able to go often enough.

I have now rejoined a local 'Cannons' for Ł64 a month and for that I can use the gym, swim, go to as many classes as I like etc etc. And it's open from early in the morning every day till late evening, and on bank holidays. By the time I have factored in the fact that the parking is free (it cost me about Ł3.30 a week if I went to Curves 3 times in a week) and that I can use their showers, hot water, hairdryers etc, it's really not much more expensive. And there's a bar and restaurant and other facilities too.

I didn't lose any weight through going to Curves, but although I am slightly overweight I was already quite fit before going there. The ladies who seemed to be successful in losing weight were either very overweight and unfit or were on a diet as well.

The Curves workout is interesting and enjoyable, and I shall miss going, but I think it is most beneficial if part of a wider exercise regime. It is certainly good if you want a gym which is women only, are very unfit or are intimidated by larger gyms. But you are paying the money for one type of exercise only, with no real variety and very restricted opening times (I don't think any Curves open on a Sunday), and I really believe that it is not good value for money; an off peak membership at a bigger gym would probably offer more facilities and be no more expensive.

Hope this helps.