I went gym shopping today. My walking buddy, Mindy has a membership at LA Fitness so we headed over there this morning. The kiddos played in the play center while I subjected myself to the embarassment of disclosing my weight and body fat to a trainer so they could tell me how much I NEEDED their gym. (Which, of course, is alot.) I have not determined if I will ever disclose to anyone ever! what percent of body fat I'm currently carrying.
Perks:
- The gym was nice. It is newer and everything was in good working order.
- It is a bright sunny place because of windows and skylights.
- Mindy works out there and it is almost like having a personal trainer. Only she laughed at me when I was sortof, kinda trying, but only a little bit succeeding at doing sit-ups on an exercise ball. At least I didn't fall off! But we're friends so its okay.
- completely adult gym. No kids allowed in the pool, ever. No kid classes, no family orientation at all.
- Not so helpful staff? After my workout, I was suppose to talk to someone about membership stuff. So I went over to the desks. The nice fella who had been helping me before wasn't there. In fact there was only one bored looking twenty-something girl. I asked her for help. She ripped a page out of her miniture notebook and wrote down some figures for me. Handed me the page. Good-bye. The End. So, do you want my membership or not?
Perks:
- A family club. Totally family friendly-- Indoor and outdoor pool that kids can use during open swim. Kid classes, bigger play area.
- Wwaaaaaaayyy more friendly people. I got an individual tourguide who answered all my questions and gave me handouts with class schedules, pool schedules, fee chart, the works.
- Outdoor tennis court.
- COUPON FOR 50% OFF INITIATON FEE.
Downside:
- NO MINDY. I would probably go by myself but a buddy helps so much. Plus I don't really know how to work the equipment so I would stand around and try to watch other people work-out. There are trainers in the equipment room but I know I wouldn't ask for help. Is that their job? Yes. Would they kick you in the shin for asking them? No. What's the problem? I'm a big weeeeeeenie!
- Not bright.
- Older equipment
- OLDER patrons. Not that I have a problem with old people. I don't. However, the patronage did seem to mostly fall in the 'Silver Sneaker' catagory. Disclaimer: It could have been the timing of when I was there. 11:30 is not a usual work out time for mommies.
So now I am needing to compare the prices/packages and make a determination. I would like to go to LA Fitness, mostly because that's where Mindy is. There is a place here called Kids Club where I could take the kiddos for swimming lessons, etc. But that's memberships to two different places. *sigh*
I think I am going to go ponder this myself so you don't have to read every thought I have. What do you all think?
2 comments:
I think it depends on how much your really think you're going to take the kids swimming. Probably you're a much better mother than me, but when I was at my old gym I think we took the kids in the pool maybe 3 times in 2 years - but the pool didn't have a shallow end for kids and we had to hold them the whole time we were in there so that might've had something to do with it.
A friend definetly helps. But if you're really determined, you'll go anyway. You could always get up at 5:15 AM and think about me getting up at 5:15 AM on the other side of the state. Then it won't matter which gym you're at because I'm guessing Mindy will still be sleeping at that point.
One final thought...My old gym was more of the Silver Sneakers, (but I was also going from 9-11am) and nothing makes you feel younger and thinner and firmer than working out with people who are older and fatter and jigglier than you are. Plus, you can move a lot faster than they can, so that even your 'slow' looks smokin'.
Good luck deciding!
Make sure whatever you do to hold out and hold out and hold out. They will ALWAYS come down (at least at LA Fitness). Pretend like you are very uncertain about joining their club. Hesitate, hesitate, hesitate. Ask things like, Look, I'm in a tight spot, What could you do for me? What else could you do for me? etc. HOLD OUT!
Did I mention HOLD OUT!
If you want more explination, call me
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