Quote:
Originally Posted by labelle16352
The problems with "the gym":
- in my neighborhood it's like a class reunion and I'm now the fat one
- waiting your turn
- the nice ones are like meat markets for people and can be more expensive
- the non meat markets dives cost less and smell
- solicitation for hiring a trainer
- wearing a bra tank in public
- not knowing how to use all equip
- finding a parking space - anywhere
- special days and times you can work out for men and women
If you have a gym that is nice and so are the people AND they dont bug you @ a trainer please tell me the name and I will pray it's a chain. I have tried Bally's, Lifetime (had to wait for a parking space @ 1 am), and Fitness.
My experience with the gym:
- well, I'm one of several fat ones, and I didn't know anyone before I joined (and still don't- see above thread i.e. anti-social behavior
)
- since I use 10 machines each time I go to the gym, there is always a machine open to use, I can honestly say that I've only had to wait 3 times in the last 5 months.
- I go to a smaller, locally owned gym (3 locations), everyone looks average, no one checks each other out. Cost isn't that cheap, but not expensive either. I've more than made up the price by not eating out all of the time like I used to.
- I haven't noticed any particular odor at my gym, it's always clean and well kempt.
- No one has ever asked me to buy, add-on, or pay for anything extra. Not supplements, training, classes... nothing. There is a signboard that offers services, but you have to initiate any conversation about adding to your membership.
- The world will end the day I wear a bra tank. Or, at least anyone who sees me will wish that it does.
I wear a ratty old T-shirt and some light baloony shorts that go down below my knees.
- I didn't know how to use anything when I started. However, the instructions on the machines are very easy to understand, they are safe as long as you don't add weights until you are comfortable with them, and my gym offers free instruction on any/all machines for new members (which I didn't use because I don't prefer that kind of interaction).
- Parking can sometimes be an issue, sure. Just like going anywhere else. But this isn't going to be the same at every gym. My gym generally has plenty of parking.
I'm not trying to be contrary, just show how different gym experiences can be. I think that's why it is so important to give any gym a trial run before signing anything, but also not to give up on gyms completely just because of some bad ones. Even chains can be very different depending on the local management and employees.