Fit Club - Report In!

This week was so hot and humid I thought running away to the Arctic might be a serious option.  Ugh - AWFUL.  Not to mention that lovely tornado we got on Wednesday.  That was kind of interesting. 

Needless to say, because my new gym membership doesn't kick in until next week, I didn't get very much traditional workout done (although I did walk my tail off).

I've GOT to tell you about my Great Gym Search!

First of all, let me give you my results for the week:  no traditional workouts.  But I'm still down a little over a pound this week, excellent loss measurements wise, and I managed to stick to my eating goals!  No small feat, let me tell you; when it's hot, I want Taco Bell.  But I stayed away!

I knew the heat was coming, and I knew that working out at home wasn't going to carry me through the summer.  And with Air Force Guy leaving for a while, I want some no kid time desperately.  With that in mind, I started searching for just the right gym for me a few weeks ago.  I never realized what a undertaking that would be.  At this point I've gone on tours at five different gyms, and my eyes are seriously started to cross whenever they see a spin room set up.

The first place I went to check out was a women only gym.  It was purple - which I find to be a positive.  It has kick boxing classes - another plus.  And yoga!  Sounding good so far... But there were also only 8 treadmills and 3 elliptical machines.  I could see a serious bottleneck problem if I wasn't there during "dead hours".  Besides, when I showed up to tour there was no one with pricing sheets available to help me, and despite the fact that I left my email address no one ever got back to me.  Didn't leave me feeling like the most wanted of customers.

The second gym I went to was better - great childcare room, great classes for kids, tons of equipment...  Things went downhill, however, when the person giving me the tour said, "You know, you look like you need to lose a little weight."  NO, really?  I'm shocked you would notice!  Thank you so much for using my fat butt as a sales pitch!  That, combined with the fact that everyone working out there was the size of my pinky just made me uncomfortable.  This was obviously a gym for truly dedicated fitness people, and I'm... not.  I just want to work out at my own pace. 

Gym number three went along the same lines as Gym #2, although not quite so bad.  The high pressure for hiring their personal trainer got on every nerve I had, though.

Then we came to gym 4.  Aaaah yes, the best of the bunch.  The kids loved the playroom - it had a climbing structure and video games.  The equipment was clean, and there was a lot of it.  There were even a few other chubby people scattered here and there.  But the sales pitch!  First, I wanted information about the monthly payment - THEY wanted a complete physical profile of me.  Questions about weight, measurements, heart rate...  at one point I think I said, "Dude, I just want to know how much this is going to cost.  Can we skip ahead to that part, please?"  Then the manager was called in to talk to me.  He sat down and started telling me which classes he wanted me to take, water aerobics being at the top of the list. 

I know water aerobics works for some people - but I hate it.  I told him so.  He said, "But we're trying to get you into the best shape possible, and water aerobics is proven to get results for people like you."

Excuse me?  People like me?  Do you mean irritated women who want to smack you upside the head, or chubby women with no mind of their own who do whatever gym managers tell them to?  Because either way, dude, you lose and I'm walkin'.  I even told him I did not appreciate high pressure sales (which was going on - "Oh, come one!  You don't need to talk to your husband about 35$ a month!  That's less than  a good manicure!") and he STILL didn't back down.

Yes, that gym was crossed off my list right away.

Finally I was down to two choices.  Unfortunately, my main choice isn't open until fall - so it looks like the kids and I will be chillin' at the Recreation Center this summer.  On the bright side, they have kickboxing classes and no one bothered me or tried to tell me to do water aerobics while I was touring.   I have my mp3 player loaded up with radio shows and ready to go.

And when I get down to the size I want to be, I plan to go back to visit that obnoxious gym manager at Gym four and tell him to stuff his water aerobics in a very uncomfortable place.   

So, tell me.  For those of you going to a gym - how did you decide which gym was right for you?

Comments

[Jewel]

I've only ever gone to base gyms and they have worked well for me. I have met with personal trainers at several bases and they were helpful in putting together programs for me, but at no time did any of them push me into taking a class, water aerobics or other. I've tried classes from pilates to yoga to body sculpting to spin and the only one I will stick with is spin.

Life (ie work, water leak in our house) got in the way this week so I've only made it to the gym twice so far. I'm trying to cut down on my portion sizes and I've done well staying away from fast food restaurants this week. Baby steps, right?

When you go back to that idiot manager of gym #4, can you take a video camera? I'd love to see the look on his face when he sees how great you look without stepping one foot into a pool.

[Erin]

I'm hovering around the same weight, despite getting some good workouts in. I haven't changed my eating habits and I know that's something I need to do if I really want to slim down in addition to bulk up. My butt seems to be toning up just a bit, and my arms definitely are. I think I need to increase the amount of reps I do for my ab work, so I'll see better results there. I really need to do a food journal and count calories for a bit. I pigged out on snacks (albeit, healthier ones) last night and pretty much negated any progress I'd made at the gym. I am feeling better about my body, since I'm doing something about it. Time to step it up!

As for gyms, I chose mine because a lot of people recommended it (24hr Fitness), the proximity to my home, and they gave me a military discount to boot. It's worked out well so far. I can go to any gym in their system, which is nice, but I stick close to home.

[Kori]

I would have smacked those gym people silly. Why can't they just do what you ask them to do? Provide you with info. about the gym - equipment/classes & prices. It really IS that simple.

My choice was fairly easy. Which gym had Free childcare, closest to my home, had trainers available and lots of equipment/classes?

The new YMCA, of course. Costs us $39/mth for a family membership. My boys love it and the hours are good for us.

With my trainer, I've lost 5 lbs, 1-1/2 inches from my waist and 1 in. from my hips.

[liberal army wife]

No great weight loss, but no gain either. (I think... judging by my pants) but yoga wise, I'm able to do and hold some poses that were well nigh impossible for me earlier and my back feels better.

How did I pick the gym? well, it's downstairs here in my office building, I only go for Yoga and LOVE the instructor who doesn't just do her practice in front of us, but walks around, suggests different ways to do something, and pays attention if you are hurt and makes sure you don't injure your self.

Now I would LOVE water aerobics, but the bit about "manicures and talking to your husband", I'da smacked him so hard his ears would STILL be ringing. patronizing me is NOT the way around my chequebook.

LAW

[Susan]

We have two gyms. Don't be jealous :) Kiddo won't go into the playroom so I can work out so hubs uses the one in the town we live in. I joined the only one in the town I work in and am supposed to go on my lunch hour.

Bad motivation week for me. No gain, but no loss either. I'll spare the details.

I got remotivated last night...I sent a friend a pic from a formal event I attended in April. I know I've put on weight since they last saw me. "You are bigger, but your face is still pretty and your proportions are okay." Yeah, that went over really well with me. Thanks for reminding me I pudged up equally all over.

[Vypergirl]

I chose my gym because I watched my hubby do it for awhile and he seemed to really like it. Also the fact that we do a different workout everyday was great for me, as I get bored. It mixes strength training with aerobic work and I love that too. No day care, but my kids are old enugh to sit down and occupy themselves for a little while. Depending on the workout, sometimes they do it too, although a chiseled down version of what the adults do! My 5 yr old can do like 6 pull ups in a row - he amazes me! I got quick results with these workouts too!

I did crappy with eating this week, but will make myslef do better next week!!!

[Reasa]

The eating sucked. No gym time what so ever. Stupid Army and moving. Geesh!!! dOn't they know I am on a weight loss journey?? Anyway, my work out was packing the last of our stuff and setting up our new home.

I chose my gym based on childcare was provided and the hours it was open. I can also meet up with a personal about once every two months to do measurements and find new ideas for my work outs. I can also cancel the membership with no penalties if I move more than 20 miles away from one of their gyms. I can also transfer my membership to any gym world wide if we were to move overseas.

[Tootie]

I second the "crazy hot" temps! I've had to get up a lot earlier to go running. The biggest surprise is that getting up early hasn't been as bad as I thought.

Sorry you had to endure all those pushy sales pitches at the gym! :( I usually go to the base gym when I need to - but it's a little far, so I don't go often. Usually I do walks or runs in the neighborhood, and I might start doing exercise DVDs at home.

[TripleE]

I picked my gym because it was the only one nearby with a decent daycare. I pass by the gym at least 4 times a day, so it's on my way to everything, no excuses.
I also like that it is NOT a pick-up place, very few in fancy workout outfits... sweats and t-shirts just like me.
Plus, there are several 80-somethings that keep me motivated. If they can do it, I REALLY have no excuses.

[loquita]

I've never been into gyms - the only reason I've been a member of one recently was to be able to use the pool for triathlon training.

AFW, I'm with you on disliking gyms where everybody is already a size 0. I like how TripleE said it - "a pick-uplace". I *hate* those skimpy matching sports bra and booty shorts outfits. Ack!

After being a hardcore at-home DVD enthusiast and runner, I recently started going to the same kind of gym as vypergirl, and I really like it too. I'm jealous she gets to workout with her husband, I can't wait to do some workouts with my LT when he finally gets home from deployment.

Speaking of homecoming, I want to look great and be able to do a pullup - how's that for a goofy combo of goals. :-p So I hope you guys don't mind if I join in on the fit club a little late. :)

LAW - You had me laughing out loud talking about smacking the gym manager upside the head. I couldn't agree more! Sounds like AFW should take you with her when she goes back! :-p

[ArmyReserveWife]

Ok, disappointing results scale wise. No weightloss, but no gains either. I did lose 7 inches, so that is a good thing. So I guess I will be tweaking the diet and kicking up the cardio.

Have a great week everyone! You can do it!!

[antonio v jackson]

I am a new armyspouse kwin will i get a call from my wife

[wifeunit]

Are menu planning is going really well I think. As far as eating better and smaller portions. Since I can't be motivated to use the treadmill I swore I would use once we bought it, we are now going to the gym at the neighborhood center. In addition to the elliptical, my husband showed me how to work the different contraptions to do some exercises. If you check out my blog you can see him being so sweet about how much weight I was able to use. All in all it has been a great week. Hopefully the start of something that lasts.

[kannie]

OK, I'm finally stepping up and taking some accountability here. :-) Joined SparkPeople (thanks, AFW!!!) and have been step tracking with a friend at America on the Move, too. I'm actually paying attention to what I eat now, and although it's not last week, I have to be proud that I kicked myself out of the house today for an hour & a half walk with Kiddo! ;-) Trying to get more fresh produce in the house, too - even hit a farmer's market last week! :-) Thinking before I eat, too, which is helping...

Gym-wise, I joined one pre-Kiddo and LOVED it. Not so many models-in-spandex types there, but everyone was just all busy and sweaty, anyway, LOL. Had a trainer for a while, which really helped me get over myself and get into using the equipment - made good progress, then got pregnant, LOL! (Kept doing what I could, but between work travel & growing baby, it eventually became "watch the evening news on the treadmill," since Hubby was at BMT & Tech School for half of the 9 months.) Treadmill was definitely my fave, since I could just zone...