Thanks everyone! I just got back from Curves and the lady said she would give me a week to try it out before I joined. If I'm not in too much pain after a week, I'll make that commitment for a year. I have bone spurs on the back of both heels that are the size of half an egg so I'm glad I can at least try Curves first.
When I told the lady that worked there I had lost almost 50 pounds since May 1st, she just jumped up out of her seat and told me how great that was, yada yada..... that was enough to sell me, lol! She was really nice and I needed to hear that excitement in her voice.
We do have a few health clubs in our area, I might join one of those after a year or so, right now I think Curves would be the best, for me at least.
Thanks again for all the help, I could not do Atkins if it were not for all of you!

Best of Luck with curves. Is there anything besides a year package you can sign up for? I dont know you and your personal preference, I just would hate to be stuck into something for a year. Either way you go, best of luck with your toning and weightloss!

The lady only told me I had to sign up for a year. It was $79.00 to join and then like $30.00 a month. I think it should be a 6 month contract, I'll ask if I can do that... it wouldnt hurt to ask Thanks!

Too costly? Where I live I can have access to any 24 Hour Fitness in the country for only $3 more than I paid at Curves. Curves was $39 a month with a 1 year contract, $49 a month without the contract, and 24 Hour is $42 a month without the contract.

Most - for an extra fee - will let you do month to month.

I pay $29 a month for Curves with a one-year commitment (which I've already passed). They will let you go month-to-month typically for $39 a month. I think for a place to start, it's a reasonable fee.

I belong to an all ladies fit club Slim Time Spa, they have curves machines, plus all the other weight machines, treadmills, bicycles, reclining bicycles, all kinds of machinery, aerobics classes all day and all evening long. Anything you can think of including pilates and belly dancing. We have tanning beds, hot steam room, whirlpool and I only pay 25 a month! Guess I'm pretty darned lucky!

I belong to Curves and love it! Please understand that Curves is a franchised business, so each location is a bit different. Granted they all use the same 30 mins circuit, but the feeling and clientele are all very different. The one that I go to alot is actually VERY diverse. We have young college kids up to a 70 year old woman. All, different sizes.
The thing that I love the most about my main location is the women. We show up at the same time everyday and chit chat while doing the circuit. So we're all on the "recovery" station at the same time. I jog those so it helps me monitor my rate. This bonding staves off the boredom of the same 'ole circuit

Newbirth respnded to my statement that I thought other programs were to costly and she compared to 24 hour fitness. I checked the 24 Hr Fitness here and it is
Initiation fee $49.00
Processing fee $79.99
Monthly dues $42.99
This is in San Jose, Ca
I can go to any Curves in the country , not 24 hrs a day but mine opens at 6AM.and I am not interested in going at midnite.I feel very comfortable at Curves where we have members of every age and size.Curves has done me a lot of good, exercizing is like dieting , do what works for you.

My initiation fee was higher than that, but I got 4 free sessions of personal training with it.

Also, Curves had an $80 initition fee, and then $39.99 a month. They closed at 1 p.m. and I had to hustle to get in there (I work second shift). At 24 Hour (I go to the one in downtown Oakland) I can stay as long as I want; I usually leave about 1:45 pm. so I can get to work.

I can go to any 24 Hour Fitness in the country. The one club only membership is a little cheaper, but I pay the extra $3 and I can go to any club. I sometimes go to the one in San Leandro because they have a pool. All clubs have a hot tub, steam room, and sauna as well.

Most importantly, I can adjust the equipment. I started with 8 pound arm curls; now I'm up to 20. I started with the the weight of the leg press; now I add 50 pounds to that. I started with 45 pounds on the calf raise; now I do 90.

Curves is a good place to start, but I just couldn't advance past a certain point.

Intersting that we are so close, Oakland and San Jose and my nephew lives in San Leandro. My daughter in law has family all over the East Bay.I am going to stick with Curves for now I find it suits my purpose. One of these days I am going to check out the Y, by the way, my son goes mto 24 Hr Fitness and pays $19 a month, but he has been a member for a long time.

I hear that when purchasing ANY club/gym membership, you should negotiate like buying a car!!
That's why there are so many different prices that people are paying as there are people.
Of course, I learned this the hard way with 24 hour fitness I got screwed and found out when someone informed my how they got their low payment.

Well, they had an offer where I could pay 3 years in advance and get a rediculously low rate, but I don't have that kind of money laying around. Otherwise I would have done it.

I checked out the Y but they wanted $60 a month and Club One wanted $80 a month, both of which were outside the budget I'd set.

If you don't mind me asking, what town in Central Pa is your SlimTime? I'm in Central PA as well, and that sounds pretty nice! Is Slim Time a chain?