Anonymous wrote:I used to belong to a small women-only gym that was taken over by curves (I stopped my membership before they turned over to curves). If you're highly self-conscious, a women-only gym can be a good stepping stone until you get more comfortable.

I actually prefer bigger gyms now - it's easier to blend in, and everyone's just doing their own thing.

That said, I cannot support Curves as a business, and am disappointing that Jillian is partnering with them. It's not exactly a secret that they are staunchly against reproductive rights and health choices for women. During the whole Komen for the Cure/Planned Parenthood debacle caused Curves to stop backing Komen - for the explicit reason that Komen helps support breast cancer screening at Planned Parenthood.

The founder is a heavy financial supporter of anti-choice groups.

They also partnered with the "American Family Association" - a staunchly anti-choice and anti-gay right-wing organization. I'm shocked that Jillian, who is openly lesbian, could get behind Curves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curves_International

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/curves.asp

http://www.franchisepublicity.com/curves-for-women-is-anti-gay-anti-choice-afa-a-healthy-promo-partner/

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/12/07/1300361/curves-founders-against-womens-health/