Comments on: Viewer Mail (warning. long post ahead. please to grab a protein-rich snack/some water.)

By: Talmaromy

Talmaromy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:44:45 +0000

??????? ?? ????! ??????? ???? ? RSS-?????, ?????? ?????? ???? ?????????..

By: MizFit

MizFit — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:22:20 +0000

MM?

I think I love you.

my computer monitor? not so much as she’s now covered in sparkling water.

By: MM

MM — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:16:52 +0000

I would give my left tit for a gym within walking distance. Really.

By: Mallory

Mallory — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:07:33 +0000

I totally agree with eurydice, especially when starting out, maybe none of the gyms are the right place for you, thats okay. All you need is a few simple tools, a jump rope, some motivation, and a little knowledge. Jumping rope, jumping jacks, hula hoop, bodyweight exercises… these are all easy things to do and take relatively little equipment/instruction. Plus, you can progress at your own pace. I would also look into “school yard” workouts. There are plenty of things to do that don’t involve a gym you just have to do a little bit of research and/or ask the mizfit and the bumbling band. I also recently read somewhere in the blog-o-sphere that a woman began running and added 30 seconds to her runs gradually and is now up to 30 min or so. That is awesome! AND totally manageable/adoptable. Even if your starting duration is only a minute or two, its something to build on.

All that said, I travel 35 minutes + to get to and from my “gym” every day. But I do indeed go everyday. I would disagree with the convenience thing if you have one of the major components to getting healthier, which to me is motivation. This is all about what works for me, but once I get motivated to do something, in order to keep doing it I have to make it routine. No matter how close or far the gym is, if I commit to go there x amount of days a week and do it consistently enough in the beginning to build the habit, I don’t think much of it and “Just Do It” so to speak.

Weighing in on the Y, which I was a member of before I found the IC, I loved it. At my Y in Berkeley there was also a women’s only weight room so you could pick an all female or co-ed environment. It also happened to be adjoined to the locker room, so that was convenient. I was really into swimming, and especially with summer coming the pool might be a major consideration, I know it is for me. I have since canceled my Y membership and found a pool that offers cheap day use passes.

By: Zandria

Zandria — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:42:23 +0000

That PROXIMITY advice is so key. For real. I do all my weight-lifting at my gym, but for cardio? Mostly outside, so I can go out and get back without having to drive, drive, drive. (The gym’s only about 6 miles away, but can be a bitch in after-work traffic, here in northern Virginia.)

When my current contract is up at the end of June, you better bet I’m gonna join a gym closer to where I currently live!

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:20:12 +0000

Super, great list! Everyone already offered great suggestions.
I haven’t been a regular at the gym for a while (I really should start up again), but when I was a definite gym bunny, things that were priority for me were the equipment. Do they have certain machines that I prefer? Is the equipment in working order, or is it old and in need of an update? I also look at cost and hours of operation. Proximity also plays a big factor, whether it’s close to home or to work. (Easier to get to the gym when I know I don’t have to travel too far.)

By: Lyn

Lyn — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:11:07 +0000

After working for nearly five years at a university that had a student gym, I finally joined it because it was a five minute walk from my office and I’d decided I wanted to do barbell training. I had avoided it before because I didn’t want to see my students while I worked out. It’s been great! I don’t see my students because they aren’t there at 8 when I go. It is basic and a bit grotty but has good equipment. However, I have noticed that I am the ONLY woman in the free weights area. It doesn’t bother me, I’m 30 years older than most of the guys, but in this day and age you think you’d see more women. All of the women are upstairs on the cardio equipment reading magazines.

By: Jen Sinkler

Jen Sinkler — Wed, 21 May 2008 20:26:14 +0000

Very thorough post, MizFit, with fabulous advice for choosing a gym — and yet more great advice in the comments! I recently started supplementing my fitness routine with classes at a CrossFit gym and am LOVING the accountability, community and competitive vibe of the place. Just what I needed!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:19:04 +0000

Excellent tips. I tried Curves and it wasn’t for me. I think the trick is to find something you enjoy and you are more likely to stick with it.

By: eurydice

eurydice — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:58:18 +0000

maybe if this reader is just starting out she doesn’t even need to join a gym at all – there is tons of great stuff you can just do at home with free weights and the great outdoors. i don’t belong to a gym anymore (because there is one in my building), but when i did i could walk there in under 5 minutes. obviously everyone doesn’t have that luxury (city living) but the thought of making a big drive-y production to get to the gym… bleh!