Hello everyone! I've been gone for a few months (the joys of unemployment and no motivation!) but I'm finally back. 10 pounds heavier, but back

I'm now working for an athletic company and happily, that affords certain benefits such as some state-of-the-art exercise facilities and classes. I've always been terrified of gyms, but I'm giving it a try. This is my fist week of membership, so I'm just hanging out on the ellipticals and doing pilates at home.

I'm starting classes next week. I'm planning on doing pilates mat classes on Monday,Wednesday,and Friday afternoons and boxing classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. What do you think? Both are a combination of strength and cardio and I think will really help with that strength and toning I'm after.

Since I know several of you are 'gym rats' any advise/suggestions is really appreciated!

Congrats on the new job!

I LOVE Pilates - started doing classes this past summer along with Yoga and I'm hooked. Boxing isn't my thing though - too much coordination required. (I don't do Step classes either, because I've fallen on my butt a FEW too many times...)

You might try getting a class list and see what else appeals to you. Spinning (or Group Cycling, or whatever they call it at your gym) is one of my favorite classes and really chews up the calories big time - you might want to try that.

Have you ever done weight lifting? You might want to enlist a trainer to take you around the facility and show you the free weights and machines.

I'd also HIGHLY recommend investing in an MP3 player or (I wish) iPod - I couldn't do my cardio without my TUNES.

Just a few thoughts...hopefully someone else'll chime in!

Thank you, MrsJim! It's good to see you again.

I've been doing pilates at home for a little over a year and love it. I'm really excited about the class. I chose boxing because I used to take martial arts and found that I like to beat the crap out of things and I think it would do wonders for my upper body.

They have about a million classes here. Some of them are:
Spinning
Step
Pilates
Body Sculpting
Buts & Guts
Yoga (several different kinds including hatha)
Circuit Weights
Ballet/Strength Training
Climbing
Ski Conditioning
and one called BodyCombat that I'm told is pretty hardcore.

So I have tons of options in addition to the general gym equipment. I'm just so dang excitied!!!