What gym and why.
Convenience, convenience, convenience!
Almost anywhere you look into will have similar equipment, and sufficient options for getting you moving. The biggest key is that it be convenient to you so that you'll go often and not have to overcome excuses and barriers to getting there.
*Do the hours work into your schedule? You may want them to be open especially early, or late.
*Are they close by? (My wife and I joined a FANTASTIC gym, but it took too long to get to, and we were quick to find reasons not to make the drive--even 20 minutes.)
*Do they have a childcare program (if necessary) that is up to your standards, would you be disgusted to leave your kids in their care?
*Do they offer aerobic classes that you'd like to try? At the times that you can get there?
One thing I've heard is that it's a good idea to visit the gym(s) you're considering on a Monday morning or evening (dependant on which time you're more likely to use it) and see just how crowded it is. Most gyms are at their highest capacity on Mondays because people are always starting their next diet/exercise program at the beginning of the week.
That's my two cents. I'm sure there are others here who are more progressed in their workouts that have suggestions of their own. But the biggest key is that you find somewhere you'll use. The nicest, most elaborate gym didn't do me any good because it was too far for me to work into my lifestyle.
Chad
Almost anywhere you look into will have similar equipment, and sufficient options for getting you moving. The biggest key is that it be convenient to you so that you'll go often and not have to overcome excuses and barriers to getting there.
*Do the hours work into your schedule? You may want them to be open especially early, or late.
*Are they close by? (My wife and I joined a FANTASTIC gym, but it took too long to get to, and we were quick to find reasons not to make the drive--even 20 minutes.)
*Do they have a childcare program (if necessary) that is up to your standards, would you be disgusted to leave your kids in their care?
*Do they offer aerobic classes that you'd like to try? At the times that you can get there?
One thing I've heard is that it's a good idea to visit the gym(s) you're considering on a Monday morning or evening (dependant on which time you're more likely to use it) and see just how crowded it is. Most gyms are at their highest capacity on Mondays because people are always starting their next diet/exercise program at the beginning of the week.
That's my two cents. I'm sure there are others here who are more progressed in their workouts that have suggestions of their own. But the biggest key is that you find somewhere you'll use. The nicest, most elaborate gym didn't do me any good because it was too far for me to work into my lifestyle.
Chad
Even though my husband is active duty Army and I have 3 gyms on the Army post I can use for free, I choose to pay and go to the YMCA in town. For me, its all about the atmosphere. At the gyms on post, its full of grunting meat heads, as well as Army wives who are just there to hit on guys (even though they are married) and try to look cute. At my local YMCA, its a bunch people of all ages and sizes just trying to get fit or stay in shape.
The pool schedule was very important to me too. The one gym on post that had a pool had very limited hours, and that didn't work for me. The pool at the YMCA has better hours that work for me and my schedule.
The pool schedule was very important to me too. The one gym on post that had a pool had very limited hours, and that didn't work for me. The pool at the YMCA has better hours that work for me and my schedule.
Jillian
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, Army Wife, 3x Ironman Finisher
services. plain and simple. the gym i go to (Lifetime) has everything i could possibly think of with the exception of an indoor track. i agree with chad, choose one that works for you and one that you will actually go to!
Where are we going?? And why am I in this handbasket??
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
Oriignally I went to the Planet fitness.. great un-intimidating atmosphere and cheap. Two things they don't have however, are a pool, and group programs, especially a spin class. So I end up paying a bit more, and driving a bit more, but to me its worth it. Spin classes are a great workout for me and its hard to train for triathlon without a pool :)
I really appreciate the responses. I have only recently decided to take my workout to the next level, I can only do so much at home by myself. I have discovered I like working out, even tho its hard and I'm a novice (meaning low weights and slower speeds) I am enjoying it.
All three gyms in my town I am checking out are equal distance, similar cost, and 24 hours so my question is do you also take into account the trainers qualifications, knowledge and interaction, and how do you determine any of it in only a visit or two? The gym I thought would be my favorite has only one trainer and he chews tobacco. I have the same issues with him that I have with a smoking Dr telling me to quit smoking (I don't smoke anymore BTW). I don't expect everyone to know the specifics about my surgery, but what questions should I ask, is there a certifying group that really does train their personal trainers and such?
All three gyms in my town I am checking out are equal distance, similar cost, and 24 hours so my question is do you also take into account the trainers qualifications, knowledge and interaction, and how do you determine any of it in only a visit or two? The gym I thought would be my favorite has only one trainer and he chews tobacco. I have the same issues with him that I have with a smoking Dr telling me to quit smoking (I don't smoke anymore BTW). I don't expect everyone to know the specifics about my surgery, but what questions should I ask, is there a certifying group that really does train their personal trainers and such?
Teddi J
We have just enough religion to make us hate,
but not enough to make us love one another. ~Jonathan Swift
We have just enough religion to make us hate,
but not enough to make us love one another. ~Jonathan Swift
I chose 24 hour Fitness, mainly for two reasons:
a) It has the best availability considering my screwy work hours (one day I'll start work at 4am, the next day I'll wor****il 10pm)
b) I am a Starbucks partner and they had a special corporate rate of zero down/25 dollars a month
Goodluck on finding your gym!
a) It has the best availability considering my screwy work hours (one day I'll start work at 4am, the next day I'll wor****il 10pm)
b) I am a Starbucks partner and they had a special corporate rate of zero down/25 dollars a month
Goodluck on finding your gym!
I "belong" to a bunch of gyms. One is the free one at work. I sometimes take classes there or use the rowing machine or run on the treadmill when my regular workouts just don't work.
Then I belong to a paid one in my home town. It's expensive but they have 100 classes a week, a dedicated lap pool, every kind of fitness equipment and the lockers have free everything (shampoo, conditioner, q-tips, etc.). I joined it because I wanted a gym where I'd never have any excuses and I wouldn't have to worry about scheduled lap swimming times. I also liked the atmosphere and the people teaching the classes are very good.
I also do Crossfit with my tri coach in various parks around town. It's not really a "gym" but we do things you'd do in a gym and it cost money so I count it.
Then I belong to a paid one in my home town. It's expensive but they have 100 classes a week, a dedicated lap pool, every kind of fitness equipment and the lockers have free everything (shampoo, conditioner, q-tips, etc.). I joined it because I wanted a gym where I'd never have any excuses and I wouldn't have to worry about scheduled lap swimming times. I also liked the atmosphere and the people teaching the classes are very good.
I also do Crossfit with my tri coach in various parks around town. It's not really a "gym" but we do things you'd do in a gym and it cost money so I count it.
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Convenience, Services, Equipment, Atmosphere.
I wanted a gym that would be convenient for me and relativley close to my office so I would be able to get gym time in before work. This gives me very little excuses to not workout during the week. Since it is a bit farther from my house it also makes it more difficult to go one weekends which works since that is family time.
Services are important I didn't want to join a cheap gym and then have to pay additonal fees for things such as towel service or classes. My gym has numerous free classes for when I am ready along with some pay classes. They also offer free fitness evaluations and for an extra fee metabolic testing. They have trainers that are experienced in many forms of fitness so you can chose based on your goals. They offer running and biking groups to help with traing goals, along with indoor lap pool.
Equipments need plenty of it and a wide variety. My gym has massive numbers of treadmills and eliptical machines along with some stationary bikes and stair climbers. Weight machines for almost any muscle group you can think of along with free weights.
Atmosphere is important to me as I don't want to feel intimidated. I didn't want a gym where everyone is focused on weight training and bulking up that I would feel out of place at. I also didn't want a gym where everyone was in tip top shape and training for the next marathon or whatever event. I wanted a gym where people where there to improve and maintain their fitness level along with some who are training for events.
I wanted a gym that would be convenient for me and relativley close to my office so I would be able to get gym time in before work. This gives me very little excuses to not workout during the week. Since it is a bit farther from my house it also makes it more difficult to go one weekends which works since that is family time.
Services are important I didn't want to join a cheap gym and then have to pay additonal fees for things such as towel service or classes. My gym has numerous free classes for when I am ready along with some pay classes. They also offer free fitness evaluations and for an extra fee metabolic testing. They have trainers that are experienced in many forms of fitness so you can chose based on your goals. They offer running and biking groups to help with traing goals, along with indoor lap pool.
Equipments need plenty of it and a wide variety. My gym has massive numbers of treadmills and eliptical machines along with some stationary bikes and stair climbers. Weight machines for almost any muscle group you can think of along with free weights.
Atmosphere is important to me as I don't want to feel intimidated. I didn't want a gym where everyone is focused on weight training and bulking up that I would feel out of place at. I also didn't want a gym where everyone was in tip top shape and training for the next marathon or whatever event. I wanted a gym where people where there to improve and maintain their fitness level along with some who are training for events.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
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