What gym do you go to?

Hi everyone -  I was just wondering what gyms you belong to and if you like them.  I am considering joining one and thought some of you might have some suggestions.  I am live in Rochester and work in Portsmouth, so it will be a gym in that area.  I am intimidated by the whole gym scene, and I was hesitating about joining curves again because I got bored last time after about 4 months, and I would have to join for a year.

Thanks for any input you might have!!

I have been walking,  swimming, and kayaking, but not on a really regular basis.  I saw my surgeon today and he said I'm doing well and he said I'm ready to kick it up a notch. yeah!

Hi Julie,

I go to Planet Fitness in Rochester.  It is convenient for me before and after work.  If you join Planet Fitness Black Card you can go to any of their gyms, so that might be the way to go.  I have gone to Raymond, Portsmouth, and Dover so far. 

I go to planet fitness as well. In plaistow nh

Planet Fitness, Derry, NH! Twice per year, they do a $99 for the year special and you can't beat that! However, it is a "white" card membership so you can only go to the gym where you joined.

Bamma, I loved the black card membership, especially the free massage and tanning beds in the winter.  I also did black card because I thought it would be useful for when I travelled but I don't travel anymore so it wasn't worth keeping up the black care membership. For now, the white card suits me fine.

I like it too.  I also collect the reward points!  I like the flexibility to go to any gym, but I mostly go to Rochester.  I plan on using the tanning beds this winter because I need that extra light, and it is FREE!!!

I go to Planet Fitness in Rochester too. I think it is great for the money. It has everything except for classes. When I joined I was very intimidated as well but they are so nice there. I work with the personal trainer, Tony Soto. He a young guy but he has helped me more then I ever imagined. I confessed to him that it took me a while to go to him because I was intimidated by him.  He is warm and very caring - actually likes working with us older folks. We're more committed.  :) I have the black card so when I'm at my daughters I can go to the one in her town.
Just take the plunge  - join - go and keep going.
And Rochester's tanning beds are new!!!

I go to PF also! Usually in Rochester, but also in Concord and/or Dover depending on my schedule. They don't have a pool or aerobics, but I get all I need between the treadmill, elliptical and other machines. Very friendly atmosphere!

I go to the Works in Somersworth. It is kind of pricey, but for me it is worth it. Lots of classes, lots of machines, 2 indoor pools plus an outdoor pool, indoor track, gymnasium, etc. etc. I use the pool primarily. Most of the people there are not skinny and buff (at least not the time of day I go). I think that is a myth. There are plenty of heavier and les fit people trying to improve their situation. When you first join, they include 2 - 3 meetings with a personal trainer so you can get a plan tailored to you and learn how to use the machines. You can always sign up for additional personal trainer visits for a fee.

My health insurance reimburses about half of the membership fee, so it works out to be about $27/month after that. Some companies have disounts also. It is $57/month with no discounts.

I have found the people there very friendly and nice.  I know of several post WLS people that go there, and a few more that are pre-op. At least two of their employees have had WLS.

I go to Planet Fitness in Manchester.  It has everything I need.  I have the $99/yr. membership, so when the weather is nice, and I walk outside instead, I don't feel guilty about not using my membership.  They are open 24 hours for the most part (except weekends) so I have no excuse for not getting in my exercise.  They don't offer classes, but for less than $9/mo. I can't complain.  The equipment is always in good working order, and the gym and locker room are always clean.  I'm a Curves convert.  I like PF much better.  The hours are better.  The price can't be beat.  And, like Curves, there is no judging us based on our size or fitness level.  I
don't know about the other PFs, but the one I go to in Manchester also has a circuit like Curves if I don't want to do a longer weight workout.  (Like Curves, it takes a half hour to do.)

BTW, Planet Fitness is offering the $99/yr. membership through 8/29.  I saw it on TV just this morning. 

If the low cost is not the issue and you want the best workout I have ever come across..check your area for a Bootcamp Fitness type of place.   We have one in Manchester and we even do outdoor workouts in the summer.  It is back to basics exercises and what most people that HAVE to be in really good shape use...like Police and Firefighters.  Lots of cardio mixed with muscle and core training.   There is a science to it to get the best results and it is better if the people running the place have degrees in sports/exercise and/or nutrition so you know they have a clue what they are doing.   The one in Manchester is awesome...the owner comes from NCAA Track and Field and also a professor of sports and exercise science and one of the instructors trained Police and was Special Ops in Southern NH.  I have to tell you..I am out of it for recovery of my surgery right now and it is driving me crazy.  I want to be back so badly.  Was getting my six pack abs!  I went into this wanting to train to do the Avon 2 day walk...which is 40 miles in 2 days...very intense and I was out of shape.   After 6 weeks with these guys I kicked that walk..no problem whatsoever.  When I went in to test I was so out of shape I could not even complete the test..they worked with me and the results were incredible.  I RUN now...I never, ever ran....ever.   I sound like I am a salesman or something but this program has seriously changed my life.   I feel like the money I wasted on gyms makes me really mad.  I would much rather pay their fees and know I am getting something because there is someone there MAKING me do these exercises..do them right...and they know what they are doing.  Ours are $99 a month..which, like the gyms they take monthly..not all up front.  I have heard that my bootcamp is on the cheaper side and other programs run much higher but Check your area!  It might be even cheaper...I know there are discounts at mine for EMT's, Police, Nurses, Teachers and College Students.

And to put the montly fees into perspective..any kind of program you wanted to do like kick boxing or karate or any of that has higher fees and people do that all the time.   Also this is 5 days a week..mix of cardio days and weight training days.  You are ON 4 weeks and OFF 1 week.  They escalate the workouts from week 1 to 4 and then your body needs rest for 1 week.   They also do nutrition counseling.  They recently made the Union Leader because they also work with High School kids that want to be better athletes during the summer.  That place was packed with high school kids committed to playing their sport better...was nice to see.  

Anyway..if you are still reading this..you can check out mine and see if there is something comparable in your area!  If you decide to do something like this I can tell you the beginning is tough but it gets easier and results come FAST if you stay committed.   Not for everyone but then again...neither is weight loss surgery!  A lot of us have that "set our minds to it" mentatlity.  I would think this kind of thing would be great for people looking to reach ..not only a weight goal but a fitness goal.  That is my life now...forget the scale...I want to be strong and in shape.   Oh and age is not an issue...we have from 18 yr old college kids to women in their 60's.~  Some men also but women tend to do this more but men certainly do like it as well.   Most of the kids that do the summer and athlete programs are high school and college boys.


Check out the union leader and my Next Level Performance in Manchester

http://nhfitnessbootcamp.com/welcome.html

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=In+training%3A+Young+athletes+look+for+an+edge&articleId=c2734056-dfa9-4733-b79e-7153f5aa9675