Sporty Jill

I have a question and I throught that this might help others too. When looking for a gym what should you look for? I am looking and I went to one today that is like Curves and not really sure if that would be right for me. It is mostly cardio and yes I need that but I also need to tone and strength my muscles. Is there a easy way to really know what is the best for a person? Looking forward to your answers sorry to put you on the spot.
A little update on me is I went to the doctor yesterday and he feels that I still have an infection in my stomach. He has put me on an antibotic and other meds. He also talked about the fact that I am still having heartburn almost daily and one way to take care of it is to have a surgery that will take care of the acid reflux. That I will deal with at a later time. I go back to him in a month and we will see how things are going at that time. My weight is up to 227.8 and not bad but it is up and not down. I must be losing inches because the 18's I got are getting lose in the waist again. So I must be doing something right.

You didn't put me on the spot....hope I can give you a straight forward answer....so bare with me....

When looking for a gym, but best thing to look for is someplace that you will actually go to.  In my opinion, that is the most important thing to look for.  There are LOTS of great gyms and fitness facilities out there that offer lots of neat stuff, but if you don't go...well then...it's a waste.

Check out what they offer.  Do they offer a variety of things so you do not get bored?  Swimming, ellipticles, treadmills, classes...catch my drift???  There is nothing worse than signing up for a gym that is one sided and after a while you hate going because you are bored and there is nothing else to do but one type of workout.

How are the people there.  Not just the workers, but also the people who workout.  Do they seem like they are having a good time?  Are the quiet?  Chatty?  How would you interact with them.  Sometime you meet the greatest (and the worse) of workout buddies in places like this and there is NOTHING more motivating than to have a friend you have to meet to workout with.

Is the environment fun???

Then, of course, there is the cost to consider.  How many times do you realistically think that you will go?  Not what is your intention, but what is the reality????

Fitness facilities can be of great use....IF you use them.

Now, someplace like Curves has its pros and its cons....

For someone new to physical activity, they are structured in a way that really gets you in and out.  There is no thinking as to what you will do....you simply walk in and do the routine.  Because you are moving, you have the capability of losing weight and inches, which is very motivating.

BUT....after a while your body becomes use to the workouts and it becomes a challenge to avoid plateaus.  You do not have the ability to change up your routine - only increase the length of time in which you exercise.  You do not have the ability to increase weights as you become stronger.  In my opinion, this is one of the biggest negatives to a facility like this....you outgrown it, but still have to pay for it.

You are right....you need both cardio AND strength training.  But...do not forget flexability.  Just as important.

Good luck on your decision!

Thank you and you have brought up some points that I did not think of. One place I looked at was Gold's gym they have a lot of different machines and they have a section just for women and a big area that is used for both sexes. They have ellopticle, treadmills, stair steppers and they offer classes like cycling and yoga and more. They have a part that will help when you want to things fast like in 30 mintues and personnal trainers. The place seems to be nice, clean and the staff was helpful and the people seem to like what they were doing. They have free weights, as well as the other weight machaines. I am wanting to go at least 3 times a week and this would be working on things that I cannot do here at home or at least I do not know how to do at home. I will still be using my treadmill at home on the days I do not go to the gym. I hope that I am making the right decision by doing this.
The place I looked at today is like Curves and I truly do not think that this is what I need. Like you say I will need to be able to change things so that I do not get bored. I hope that going to the gym I will be more flexible right now I am not flexible I am stiff. I think you know what I mean.
Again thank you for you info and it will help me a lot.

Hi Pat.  Jill made some very good points.  I experienced Curves first hand.  It is very structured & restrictive...or at least that's the way I found it.  Not much challenge.  When I got the all-clear from my doc to start riding again, I wanted to work on my lower body strength.  Curves would not allow me to deviate from their structure...I had to work the program the way THEY have it designed.  When I discussed Curves with my doc, he told me it wasn't challenging enough & helped me to get out of my contract.  One place you might consider checking into is your hospital.  They have lots of programs that are designed for special needs & most times your health insurance will cover it.  Good luck finding a place that gets you to where you wanna be!

Thank you for your opinion it means a lot. Like I said I went to a place that was like Curves and now know that this is not for me. I will check with some to the hospitals and see what I can find out.

Gold's is a great gym.  They have classes all day and I LOVE their Cardio Cinema room - how cool is it to go into a room that is designed like a movie theater, watch a cool movie while riding the bike, walking on the treadmill or doing the ellipticle.

Just make sure that the cost and your intented usage is equal.  there is nothing worse than paying for a memebership to something and not use it.....

I am really leaning towards Gold's because of the different machines and what they offer. The cost is really not that bad it is going to cost  30.00 a month and 30.00 starting fee so I am really thinking hard and making sure that is what I want to do and need to do. When I was there I felt at easy so that means a lot to me. Plus I think that I get into a routine of it I will succeed at it. It is just getting started that is the hardest for me.

Before you commit...make sure to go in about the time you will normally go it.  There may be different staff and clientele there.

That's a good price.....I may check into their memberships for my son and hubby (I have enough).

Also - go their website on the Internet  and download their 1 week free coupon.  That way you can really check it out and play while there.