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Walkies!
In the past year, three new fitness centers opened up near me.
The first, Planet Fitness, is about 3 miles away from me, in a shopping plaza. I like that they have a $10/month plan -- it's relatively inexpensive, and I don't think I'll be locked in to a long-term contract.
The second, Anytime Fitness, is about a half mile away from me, in another shopping plaza. They're open 24/7, which means I can drop in any time, but I'm not clear on their pricing plan.
The third, LA Fitness, is about two miles away from me. It's a standalone building, and it's huge. But what is the fixation with southern California? LA Nails, LA Dog Grooming, and so on. I don't care to have a tanned and thin beach body. Plus LA means something else to me: Lard Ass.
I've long been skeptical, if not outright cynical, on gyms and fitness centers.
First, they'll soak people into buying long-term memberships that won't get used after the first month. Sometimes, they'll close without notice, leaving their clients high and dry.
Second, how "pushy" are their trainers? Do their trainers see every client as someone who is to be as fit as they are? I never cared for the "high school jock" mentality -- everyone should be as athletic as they are, as if it was some type of religion or One True Way.
I often think back to my elementary school years. When our gym teacher, an ex-Marine if I remember correctly, had us do laps around the playground (which measured 1/4 mile), I always came in last, panting. If I had exercise-induced asthma, I was never diagnosed for it.
I don't mind walking or swimming, especially if I'm not in competition with anyone. I've always been a slowpoke, taking my own sweet time. The local rec center has a nice pool, and I've swum laps in it before. But it's a little on the pricey side, especially if I pay as I go. But it doesn't have a steam room, a sauna, or a hot tub -- three nice-to-have amenities, especially on cold days like today. Kettering's rec center does, but I'd have to pay the higher non-resident rate, and they're a bit rule-happy over there. (The word "gestapo" comes to mind.)
So, what would I want? Treadmills and exercise bicycles (preferably elliptical). Lockers. Showers. A monthly pay-as-you-go program. Single-sex is nice but not necessary -- many women don't care to be ogled while they work out. Which is why there is Curves.
I don't have sidewalks around where I live, so walking around my neighborhood isn't exactly safe. I'd have to walk in the street, facing traffic.
So, does anyone have experience with either of the outfits I mentioned earlier? If so, please relate your experience.
The first, Planet Fitness, is about 3 miles away from me, in a shopping plaza. I like that they have a $10/month plan -- it's relatively inexpensive, and I don't think I'll be locked in to a long-term contract.
The second, Anytime Fitness, is about a half mile away from me, in another shopping plaza. They're open 24/7, which means I can drop in any time, but I'm not clear on their pricing plan.
The third, LA Fitness, is about two miles away from me. It's a standalone building, and it's huge. But what is the fixation with southern California? LA Nails, LA Dog Grooming, and so on. I don't care to have a tanned and thin beach body. Plus LA means something else to me: Lard Ass.
I've long been skeptical, if not outright cynical, on gyms and fitness centers.
First, they'll soak people into buying long-term memberships that won't get used after the first month. Sometimes, they'll close without notice, leaving their clients high and dry.
Second, how "pushy" are their trainers? Do their trainers see every client as someone who is to be as fit as they are? I never cared for the "high school jock" mentality -- everyone should be as athletic as they are, as if it was some type of religion or One True Way.
I often think back to my elementary school years. When our gym teacher, an ex-Marine if I remember correctly, had us do laps around the playground (which measured 1/4 mile), I always came in last, panting. If I had exercise-induced asthma, I was never diagnosed for it.
I don't mind walking or swimming, especially if I'm not in competition with anyone. I've always been a slowpoke, taking my own sweet time. The local rec center has a nice pool, and I've swum laps in it before. But it's a little on the pricey side, especially if I pay as I go. But it doesn't have a steam room, a sauna, or a hot tub -- three nice-to-have amenities, especially on cold days like today. Kettering's rec center does, but I'd have to pay the higher non-resident rate, and they're a bit rule-happy over there. (The word "gestapo" comes to mind.)
So, what would I want? Treadmills and exercise bicycles (preferably elliptical). Lockers. Showers. A monthly pay-as-you-go program. Single-sex is nice but not necessary -- many women don't care to be ogled while they work out. Which is why there is Curves.
I don't have sidewalks around where I live, so walking around my neighborhood isn't exactly safe. I'd have to walk in the street, facing traffic.
So, does anyone have experience with either of the outfits I mentioned earlier? If so, please relate your experience.