About to join a fitness center--what questions do I ask?

Tammy G.
on 1/10/12 5:32 am
RNY on 06/16/11 with
Well, the time has come for me to join a fitness center. Our local hospital built a wonderful facility for all levels of fitness. It has 2 pools, one a lap pool and one a heated therapy pool. Lots of equipment, even a kitchen for nutrition classes.

With that being said, and at still over 350 pounds, what concerns should I voice during my visit to decide if I want to join. I have NEVER joined a gym. With my rheumatoid arthritis, I am really interested in the therapy pool. I also want to do some of the weight training machines if possible to build some muscle.

Besides the obvious about weight limits on machines, what should I be questioning or looking for? Any help is much appreciated!

Here is a link to the place. http://www.missionfitnessnow.com/default.aspx

Distal RNY 6/11 SW 456  CW 311 Complications: Small bowel strangulation 12/23/2012, non healing surgical incision--ongoing.  Still.
  

InkdSpEdTchr
on 1/11/12 1:55 am
I have two words for ya: DO IT! Looks like a great facility. Can you swim? If so, that's a great no impact activity. If not, you can do the water aerobics or water zumba.
They also have that great circuit training section which would be a good place to start with weights.
The nice things about weights is that there are no weight limits like the cardio machines which there usually is.

Good Luck!
:Danni

:Danni  >>>AIDS/LifeCycle 10 & 11 Finisher: 545miles on the bike in 7 days <<<
HW390/SW340/CW 208/GW170
                   
  

             
  

talula216
on 1/11/12 8:33 am - RI
RNY on 01/16/12

I agree sounds like a great place.  I wouldnt worry about not being able to fit on the equipment.  Because you will soon.  I belong to Planet Fitness.  There was a couple pieces of  equipment I could not fit on but they were able to give me alternate excerises. 

Good Luck

Talula
Starting weight 369

                           
Tammy G.
on 1/11/12 9:24 am
RNY on 06/16/11 with
Thanks for replying, you guys!

Distal RNY 6/11 SW 456  CW 311 Complications: Small bowel strangulation 12/23/2012, non healing surgical incision--ongoing.  Still.
  

Brenda C.
on 1/11/12 11:23 am
Since it is related to your hospital - maybe ask if they have trainers to work with folks with limitations, my hospital also allows patients who have had a certain number of Physical Therapy Visits, they do not have to pay the initiation fee.

Find out if classes are included in the monthly fee.  Hmmm, also if you can have friends on a day pass -- which is ALWAYS a plus!

JOIN, if you can afford it!!!!  Being over 350 isn't so bad, and the exercise should help the arthritis.

Brenda : )~
acbbrown
on 1/11/12 11:54 am - Granada Hills, CA
Having been working out since i was 420 lbs, and been a member of several gyms - my primary issues are:

parking - sounds stupid, but my last gym had 100s of ppl in there during peak hour and maybe 50 parking spots, so it was either stalking ppl for parking or walking a mile just to get to the gym. I know, i have my priorities straight, right? lol

How busy it is at the times you might use it - i hate busy crowded gyms where I have to wait a long time for machines, etc.

Any crazy billing practicies/termination fees/contracts, etc.

I work out at a gym in a somewhat unattractive neighborhood, so maybe this isnt a problem for most gyms, but are the pools kept clean..how often are they cleaned? Yeah....some days, i wont go near the hot tub bc its nasty. I usually just have to suck it up and jump in the pool and deal with it.


Im soooo happy for you!!! DO IT!

www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status

11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift. 


HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200    85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
  
~~~~Alison~~~~~

 

YankeeRose
on 1/11/12 12:39 pm - Meadville, PA
Those are some really great questions! I am also wanting to join a gym (well not really wanting lol but ready, willing and hopefully able). I NEED to start doing something because my skin is already hanging and flabby - EVERYWHERE... and I still have over 100 lbs to lose. I also think i am losing muscle. But anyways, I really can't afford to join a big gym and I want to do water exerecises and swimming to start off with and I live in a small town so my only choice is really the YMCA. My busy schedule also poses limitations (I work, go to school and do an internship). And about parking...where I live, the YMCA is downtown and there is no parking lot, just metered street parking. Really sucks but oh well...gotta do whatcha gotta do I suppose. But anyways, Tammy, we are in the same boat. I have also thought about Curves but obviously they don't have a pool. You are lucky to have such a nice facility near you.

Tammy
Luck 'o the Irish
HW399/SW362/CW219/GW130
*37 lbs were lost pre-op
       

abby04276
on 1/13/12 8:58 am
If I were you I would not join curves(no offense to curves) I used to belong years ago and you just can't get the same workouts. Especially with weights for toning, etc. A regular gym just has so much more. Good luck
Tammy G.
on 1/14/12 12:39 pm
RNY on 06/16/11 with
Thanks, everyone. I'm going to go for a tour next week. This center is pretty new and I'm happy we have it. The other alternatives are those manly man gyms, Curves and a pretty run down YMCA. I got an email back from someone and they told me they have a post bariatric program and work closely with the WLS surgeon in town (that I didn't use because he had some severe sanctions in his medical history). It makes me feel good to know that they will understand my needs and goals. I'm excited.

Distal RNY 6/11 SW 456  CW 311 Complications: Small bowel strangulation 12/23/2012, non healing surgical incision--ongoing.  Still.
  

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