Do you belong to a gym?

Posted by Lisa Newton on May 20, 2008 at 5:10am

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Photo courtesy of tyger lyllie

A couple of days ago, I joined a gym.

Why?

I wanted to challenge my current fitness routine, and improve upon that. I’m still power walking, using my hand weights, and doing my lunges and squats; but I just wanted to mix it up a bit.

What criteria did I use in order to choose a gym?

Because there are so many blog posts about how to choose a gym, I’m not going to go into too much detail here, but rather give you my rationale, that for me, meets the basic criteria for joining one.

My reasons are fairly basic:

1. Location – I wanted to be able to walk to the gym. In fact, I wanted to be able to power walk to the gym, workout, and power walk back. The gym I joined is about 1.5 miles from my house, so I’m able to do a 3 mile power walk to and from the gym. And, obviously I get an additional workout at the gym. As well, I never liked to drive to the gym. But if there’s no gym that’s close to you, then obviously the benefit you’ll derive from joining one will still be advantageous for you. However, the bottom line for me is that this one is close enough to walk to, so I can save on gas and, as I mentioned, extend my exercise routine.

2. I wanted to be able to be a month to month member. This gym offers a month to month membership, which is very reasonably priced. Because of the fact that I don’t know what I’ll be doing in a year from now, or even 6 months for that matter, I’ll be able to go to the gym and evaluate it and my other options. Don’t be reactive to gym dues, be proactive.

3. I don’t need too many machines for my muscle building and toning. I just want the basics and most gyms have those. I’m just a normal person with a few body areas I’d like to concentrate on, and most, if not all, offer these, as well as free weights.

4. Did I mention Hot Tub and Sauna? Although I may not use them as often as others, it’s nice to know they’re available when I want them. One cleanses the pores and the other relaxes your muscles.

5. The cost is reasonable. I’m paying a little more than a $1.00 per day to rejuvenate my fitness routine and get in better shape. You can’t do better than that—and if you can, great.

I’m looking forward to my long walks with strength training workouts in the middle.

How about you? Do you belong to a gym? Have you considered joining one?

Iowa Avenue ’s Tight Ass Tuesday is about working out, walking, and exercises, because

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

Tags: exercise, fitness, gym, tight_ass_tuesday, walking, workout

Comment by Nico on May 20, 2008 at 2:16pm: Let me share a secret with you... I've never ever in my life been in a gym! Shame on me. To be honest, I'm more of an outdoors running around kind of guy =) , though I am considering taking the same steps as you have just taken ... gyms have weights and weights mean muscles!

But anyway, Looks like you got a pretty nice deal there! I wish you some good and hot (in the sauna) times! Oh, and another thing,... I tagged you!
http://www.prohealthblog.com/healthy-ramblings/your-body-is-your-temple.html

You're free to do with my tag what you want! Either way, Enjoy! =)

Greetings,

Nico

Comment by D on May 20, 2008 at 5:48pm: I have never joined a gym but I'd love to have access to great gym equipment. I loved using our gym equipment in high school -- and I'd love to especially use the weight machine right now...but that won't be happening...maybe I can find a friend who will share his/her fitness equipment, hehe. For now it's walking outdoors or DVDs indoors, free weights and my own motivation, willpower. I don't think I'd like wiping off others sweat off the machine before I use it...ewwwww. Thanks for visiting my blog! D

Comment by Lisa Newton on May 21, 2008 at 7:29am: I joined a gym several years ago, and wasted money, not using the facility as much as I should have. I learned a lot from that experience, which is why I had criteria for this time around.

My cardio is still an outdoor activity, which I love.

In regards to the sweat issue, that is one thing that impressed me about this gym. They have employees who do a lot of the wiping. I hadn't seen that before..............:)

Comment by Cynthia on May 22, 2008 at 1:40pm: I belong to a gym... and I like it. Classes can be fun, plus there is equipment that I don't have at home. Not to mention the pool! I think the latter is one of my important criteria for a gym. Not that there is much choice here. There's like a new 24 hour Fitness Express place... no pool. Curves... no pool, no men. And then there's the gym hubby and I joined. None would be an easy walk though.

Funny, the gym we had in North Dakota WAS an easy walk... but the weather was rarely conducive to that. Plus, no fun carrying my big gym bag along.

Comment by SpinDiva on May 23, 2008 at 3:10pm: before I worked at a gym I belong to one. of all I only had to cancel my membership once because the baby wasn't doing well in the nursery. Now I work at a gym, training, teaching classes and I love the "no membership fee" benefit that comes with my little paying job...he it's something.

good deal you have on joining a gym so close you can walk to it. Enjoy!