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Date: 2006-11-10 06:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 07:47 am (UTC)Have you ever belonged to a gym before? Do you like to play squash/raquetball/etc? Would you like to take classes in some kind of excercise, such as aerobics (step training, kick boxing, etc.) or yoga/other stretching? Have you ever trained with weights before? If you join a gym that doesn't have personal trainers, would they allow you to bring in your own? What hours are you likely to want to be working out, and what are the hours of the gym? Do you like to work out alone or with a buddy, and if it's with a buddy (or at least sometimes you might) do any of your friends go to this gym or is there any chance someone you like is also looking to join one? What are your fitness goals? How much does it cost to become a member of the gym - do they have any current promotions/deals, and what is their renewal policy?
I've belonged to Bally's gym since 1987. Back then, the local gym I joined was Jack La Lanne, which subsequently got bought out by Bally's. I decided to invest in a "lifetime membership" which was around $1,000.00 and that was a LOT of money for me back then. I am -really- glad I did that. It locked me into a renewal rate of $60.00 annually. Yup. Some gyms charge $30.00 a month and I'm paying $60.00 a year. It pays for me to keep the membership even if I don't go to the gym for a long time, which has been the case. I know that at any time I can just start going again, which is terrific for me. There are also Bally's all over the place if I travel and decide to work out it's easy to find one.
I used to like taking the step training classes, and I read a lot of books and self-taught weight training. I hired a personal trainer once, but I didn't feel I got much out of it that I didn't already know. However, I'd reccomend one if you are just starting out, just to give you a general idea of what direction you want to go in and get some baseline measurements, like your BMI (body mass index - ratio of lean muscle to fat tissue) and your resting and target heart rates, inches around your chest, waist, hips, biceps, calves, etc.
Since I've got neuropathy, I can't do certain excercises anymore (no more step training, for example). I like the recumbent bikes and the elliptical trainer, and Bally's has both of those. I think that the more different aerobics machines a gym has to offer, the better. It pays to vary your routine, and hit different muscle groups, not to mention avoid boredom.
I would also before joining a gym check them out at several different times of day and different days. How busy are they? How long is the wait, if any, for the equipment? I learned to train with predominantly free weights, and to disdain so-called "circuit training". There are a few machines that make life easier (for me, I vastly prefer getting my quads workout on a machine that has me on my back and pushing up the weighted platform with my legs than doing squats, which hurt my knees and also are much harder for me to perform).
I can't speak about any other gyms since I haven't been a member of any other chains. Definitely ask around for opinions from friends, work buddies, etc. to get more information. Good luck in choosing a gym, and please keep us posted on how that goes for you. Congratulations on making an effort to take better care of your body! I always love the feeling I get when I'm working out regularly. If you have any further questions please feel free to write and/or call me.
Replies to Your Queries
Date: 2006-11-10 07:00 pm (UTC)Not particularly
Cardio and weight loss initially; i get much less exercise since i've moved to the burbs and buying a car. Beyond that, we'll see what happens.
Probably, as cardio is a goal.
Yes, in HS, both free and circuit
These two bits i've already considered, and found all available facilities in the vicinity satisfactory on both counts.
Not sure if having a workout buddy would be my cup of tea or not. I'm a bit of a loner, but not in the least anti-social. I'm sure that'll become clear in time. Everyone i know who currently does gym lives in DC or Arlington or SF, so i don't think i know anyone at others.
This is a benefit through my health plan, so 6-9 mo contract, and lower than specail rates at the places i've asked about.
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Date: 2006-11-10 07:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 07:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 11:12 am (UTC)I think of half an hour in the car as a long time, but lots of people think that's silly.
Our gym has a hot tub. I've not yet used it, but
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Date: 2006-11-10 07:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 01:19 pm (UTC)If that's not an issue, I highly recommend elliptical training as vastly superior to treadmills. The Precor elliptical machines are the best that I have come across both in my opinion as an MT and my experience as a consumer.
I really recommend find a gym with classes like yoga etc. If you actually have time and commitment enough to go 3+ x/week one day cardio/weights; one day cardio/yoga; one day cardio/weights I have found to be a really great regime. The great thing about yoga is that you can do it at home once you get used to practicing it.
Regarding personal trainers, I have to say that in my professional opinion they are essential in the beginning, especially if you are working on new equipment or if it has been a long time. While most of the modern machines are designed to facilitate good form, each person's body is different, and given your height you will need to be sure that any necessary adjustments are taken into account. Also, personal trainers can help guide how you use the machines in terms of your own fitness goals and/or limitations.
I am also a big believer in combining weight machines with free weights. Again, seeing a personal trainer a couple of times in the beginning and sporadically thereafter is key to ensure proper form that will both make the exercises more efficient/targeted and safe.
Another thing to look for is a good stretching area with facilitated stretching equipment.
As for the commute, if you actually feel that you would hit the gym between home and work in the morning (which given your later start is actually feasible and would have the bonus of extra energy all day) , or between work and home at night then i don't think 20-25 minutes is that bad. It might discourage you from going on the weekend, but only you can tell that.
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Date: 2006-11-10 07:02 pm (UTC)The location of the Fairfax place is actually very, very easy to get to from home. I've not settled on any particular place yet, in part because i wanted to get feedback from people first.
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Date: 2006-11-10 03:00 pm (UTC)As for commute, if it is on your way to/from work, then the commute is fine. If it is going to be a total pain to get to then try and find something that isn't. When I switched jobs, I switched my home gym because I knew that I wouldn't want to have to head out of my way to go to the gym.
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Date: 2006-11-10 06:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 06:30 pm (UTC)I say go a few months paying at the door. If you keep it up and are totally sure you're going to keep doing it for at least the minimum contract period, then go ahead and join.
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Date: 2006-11-10 06:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 07:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 07:32 pm (UTC)Also, when are you more likely to use it? If it's after work, what better than to fall out of work and into the gym without a significant drive. And you might change jobs at some point, so a chain would be more likely to have another gym near your new job and with any luck near your home too, so you can go at the weekends.
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Date: 2006-11-11 12:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-11 03:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 08:50 pm (UTC)ITM, if you feel like exercising, I need people willing to walk with me once or twice a month (I am trying to line up enough walking partners to have company for one two walks a week) and I would welcome your company.
I am also looking at memberships - possibly at the same Ffx gym you are considering (the one with the pool?). I used to go there (a few years ago).
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Date: 2006-11-11 12:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-10 08:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-11 02:20 pm (UTC)I am discovering that the elliptical trainer is a much better workout than are bike rides or walks, though walks with
Oh, and apropos things like BMI and the like, a gym that doesn't spend all of its time trying to tell you that you're fat and ugly when you join is a good idea.
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Date: 2006-11-11 06:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-11 04:53 pm (UTC)If parking and distance are too much, you won't go as often. Multiple locations are nice if you intent to travel a lot, but really all you need is one, convienient location with good staff and the equipment you want to use at a reasonable price.