| DebbyC
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I looked back a year or so and didn't see any comparisons for gyms. I can't motivate myself to walk - especially with 100 degree weather around the corner and now that my kiddo is older nad mobile [finally] that I don't have to rush home - so was thinking about joining a gym. I have never belonged to one. There is not a Y anywhere near my commute home - I believe my choices are going to be spectrum, anytime fitness, Gold's, maybe curves but not sure their hours would be consistent with a late start time.
Alternatively, might be able to buy a treadmill - would love to if I could find a used one in decent condition.
I'm not likely to take classes at first anyway, more likely to do treadmill, bike, maybe stair thingy and if it's not heavy on weight lifting - maybe circuit training with light weights.
any recommendations? what is a decent price? things to look for? |
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Wed May 14, 2008 6:31 pm |
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| akolang
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debby,
here are my suggestions, for what they're worth (maybe not much, lol). the MAIN THING is to find a gym you will actually go to, without dropping out...so here goes...
1. i just have to say this right off...you're a female, so things like cleanliness, atmosphere, the locker room, etc, will likely be important to you. so make sure you find a gym that you can ENJOY being in and where you'll feel comfortable
2. make sure the hours of operation are right for you, and ask how busy the club is during peak times, if that's when you'll be going. make sure it's close enough to your house.
3. for circuit training, you'll want a good variety of machines...but don't discount free weights. just make sure they have a good balance of both
4. ask about free personal training sessions...most gyms will give you at least a couple for free. the knowledge you can gain can be invaluable, if you take advantage of that time. a trainer can show you the correct way to use the equipment (very, very important) and can design a workout to meet your needs. a trainer can test your body composition, so you know exactly where you're starting and can then accurately gauge your progress later. the trainer can explain why it's almost impossible for a female to bulk up, and why weight training builds muscle which positively affects metabolism and creates a "thermogenic" effect in your body, putting you in a fat-burning mode 24/7. etc, etc, etc. like i said, free sessions from a good trainer can be the best thing going for you.
5. check for a combination of different cardio equipment...variety defeats boredom
6. don't discount the value of classes. yoga, pilates, kickboxing, step aerobics, etc...these can propel you towards your goals. try them all...even do them all if your schedule fits, lol. i don't know your fitness level, but if embarassment or intimidation is a concern, please wipe it from your mind. trust me, no one at a gym will negatively judge you...if they were perfect, they wouldn't be there. to the contrary, you'll find people will go out of their way to support you. and if you're not fit enough at this point to finish a class...no problem. adapt the principle of "progressive resistance." for example, say you go to yoga class and after 10 minutes, you've reached what your level of fitness allows. fine...that's better than 9 minutes, you won the first battle, so leave for the day. next class, strive for 10:30, or 11 minutes. next time 12, next time 16, and so on. before you know it, you're there for the whole class, and you're winning your war against "un-fitness".
7. also, buy a good heart monitor, and read up on how to use it to keep you in optimal zones and out of unsafe zones. best tool you can have, in my opinion.
finally, start a gym membership with enthusiasm, positive thinking, and attainable goals...and you'll do great.
Frankly...I think Gold's is probably a great choice...but that's just my opinion. |
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Thu May 15, 2008 4:57 am |
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| DebbyC
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thanks - I think you hit on all my fears!!! when I was married to AF guy, we had a great gym for free....I realize now what an asset it was even if I used it irregularly. I'm tired of using my illness 2 summers ago as an excuse -the doctors gave me 12-15 months to get semi back to 'normal' and that time has surely run out!!!
I was looking on line and saw that Spectrum could run $90 a month - whoa! maybe that's normal, but I think it's time to really go take a look. We do have a Gold's about 1/2 mile off my commute so maybe I'll head over there. I need to get my butt off thiscomputer chair - I sit at a desk at least 9 hours a day at work that's enough for anyone. |
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Thu May 15, 2008 1:05 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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wow GREAT ADVICE!
i have gym shopped. I finally found one that is so NOT cheap but that I so love... it's 2 miles from my house, it has everything a gal could want....
i'm there almost every day now... |
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Thu May 15, 2008 1:09 pm |
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| DebbyC
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| that's what I want - I want a gym I LOVE to go to, no pressure, decent schedule, tho I don't see mein classes yet. |
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Thu May 15, 2008 2:20 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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DebbyC wrote: that's what I want - I want a gym I LOVE to go to, no pressure, decent schedule, tho I don't see mein classes yet.
oh Debby I LOVE BODYVIVE and I LOVE YOGA...
see if you can find a gym in your area that's affiliated with the hospitals and does rehab..... mine is not cheap it's 90 a month but they waived the joining fee... and i got 3 months free at sign up...
the classes are my favorite part..... |
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Thu May 15, 2008 2:52 pm |
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| Ramonaschack
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| I agree to not discount classes - classes are fun, motivating and generally go by quickly as compared to getting on a treadmill or machine - which to me seems that time takes forever to pass. A gym that is convenient is the most important so that you won't find excuses not to go. I have found a gym that has a downtown location - close to where I work - I go to classes at lunch time. Today is pilates. I love it - I have no more excuses not to get up early to go before work or that something comes up after work and not go again. This is helped me go consistently 4 - 5 times a week. Plus the added bonus is that generally I am not as hungry after exercising so my lunches are easy to keep in control. |
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Thu May 15, 2008 4:13 pm |
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| Ramonaschack
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| These days most good gyms are not cheap. But what is your fitness worth to you and sometimes the fact that you have to shell out that money every month keeps you going. Also I would rather pay a little more so that let's say every machine has it's own television, like mine does that way when I get on a machine the time passes a lot more quickly and I am not constantly looking to see how many minutes I left to to. I'm great at justifying things so to me if you take the monthly dues - let's say it is $90.00 a month - that is only $3.00 a day. You probably bring your lunch to work now instead of going out to eat so think of it in those terms |
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Thu May 15, 2008 4:18 pm |
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| akolang
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debby...
i looked at spectrum gyms on the internet...man oh man, i wish we had something like that here...i was amazed at the variety and amount of group classes. i would also figure they have quality equipment and facilities also. they look expensive, but from what the website shows, they look worth it.
i've never been in a curves (they're women only), but i've glimpsed their facilities through the door...it looks like mainly a circuit training setup with basic equipment. which is fine, of course...but if you're looking for more variety, more options, then you might want a less-specific gym. curves, i believe, promotes mainly a 20-30 minute circuit session 3 times per week. which can be great, nothing wrong with that...but will you be satisfied with it in 6 months? plus, i don't think they have group classes. you may not want them now, but what about in a few months...
anytime fitness, i believe is a 24/7 facility...great hours, very convenient. but if yours is like the ones from that chain that i'm familiar with, they are notoriously crowded during peak hours. they have very nice equipment from what i've seen, but sometimes not enough of each one...as their facilities tend to be a bit small. again, the ones i've seen have no group classes.
on the other hand, curves and anytime fitness are probably cheaper than other commercial gyms.
gold's are usually extremely well-equipped, with an adequate amount of group classes. gold's also tends to draw a lot of hardcore lifters, so the atmosphere is usually very motivating. they can however, be very busy during peak hours. usually they're medium-high priced.
also, ask for a summer special at any gym...many times, they'll have a rate for a 3-month signup covering summer. that way, you can check the place out without signing a 1-year contract. also, if choosing a 1-year vs 2-year contract, i'd choose the 1-year. the 2-year may be cheaper overall, but that's an awful long commitment. good luck to ya... |
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Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 am |
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| LaceyL
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I have always been intimidated because I didnt think I was athletic enough for classes. When I wasnt getting results that I wanted, I met with a trainer. When I described what I was wanting, she encouraged me to try Group Power, which is a weight lifting class. It is an hour of free weights, and I was terrified. The trainer went in with me the first time and helped me set up and figure out how much weight to start with, although with a little common sense I could have done it myself as well. Soon after, I added the kickboxing class, and I recently switched to cycling. I currently do the weight class 2 mornings per week, the cycling class two mornings per week, and then get in some kind of exercise twice over the weekend.
I have never worked so hard physically, and I have seen results quickly. I absolutely love it and would encourage you to give it a try. If it is an option for you to go an early morning class, try it! Early morning people who work out tend to be not the "grm rat" type, and I feel totally comfortable. The classes range in all sizes, ages and abilities. |
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Mon May 19, 2008 10:16 pm |
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