I have some thoughts and some questions. They are in no particular order:
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.
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.
Would you like to take classes in some kind of excercise, such as aerobics (step training, kick boxing, etc.) or yoga/other stretching?
Probably, as cardio is a goal.
Have you ever trained with weights before?
Yes, in HS, both free and circuit
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?
These two bits i've already considered, and found all available facilities in the vicinity satisfactory on both counts.
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?
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.
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?
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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branchandroot
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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.