Looking for a gym

[immjj]

I read jayell rave about Curves, but a lady here at the office said that the Curves in our area SUCKS!

I was thinking of going to a regular gym in our area, that is said to have better equipment, a room for women only, and is a LOT cheaper.

What equipment do you girls reccomend for toning up? I want to tone the usual areas: arms, abs, thighs, and butt.

[Bonnie]

Immjj:

I'd say find a facility that has a mixture of circuit training systems like Fit Express and Nautilus, that allow you to tone every muscle group, plus free weights, as well as the usual cardio equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes, etc. Most decent gyms should have a good variety. Make sure it's clean and well-lighted and that there are sufficient staff to answer questions and maybe help you one on one. A women's only area is a nice feature. Maybe they'll even have a tanning bed!

[laynie]

wow immjj, i'm really sorry that your curves isn't up to par why do you say she sucks? is she rude? if it's serious, i would complain, because curves is supposed to be a really supportive environment.

bonnie: my dad has a mediocore gym downstairs, and i was wondering if you had any excercises to help lose some weight off the thighs? i'm not really interested in building a huge muscle mass [although i know it's enivitable to some extent]. just something that will help me tone up a tad.

[Emoore]

The problem with Curves is that the resistance on their machines isn't variable, so it's inevitable that you'll eventually plateau. I'd suggest a gym. If you're looking to tone up, watch your diet, do some cardio 3-5 days a week, and lift weights 2-3 days a week. Make sure you never work the same muscle group two days in a row. If you do end up joining a gym, it's an excellent idea to get at least one session with a Personal Trainer to show you the best way to meet your goals. (I can say that b/c I'm studying to be a PT)

Layne: to firm your thighs, the two best exercises are squats and lunges-- especially walking lunges!!

BTW, Bonnie, do you go to a gym in Austin? I work at Premiere Lady.
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[ This Message was edited by: Emoore on 2004-01-15 13:06 ]

[laynie]

[whimpers] luuuuunges. hahaha, that's what my father tells me, but i have no balance and manage to topple over regularly. thank you though, i will give them another try!

[immjj]

what's a lunge?

[immjj]

check this out --> http://www.laeastfitness.com

[TanPimp]

Curves totally sucks. Its for women who don't want to work hard but still want to tell themselves that they will lose weight. Just do all of the exercises guys do, do reps of about 10-15. Elipticals are good, but lift weights too

[Kissedbythesun]

Gold Gym has alot of classes such as kickboxing, aerobics, yoga etc.. They are open 24 hours. I doudt they have a women's only room. They are pretty big and have lots of equipments for everyone.

[TanPimp]

Not all Gold's gyms are open 24 hours. Some Golds are really good, but I've been to some really crappy ones. It's a franchise so some of them aren't that great, but all of them are expensive.

[~*HoneyBee*~]

The Gold's Gym I am a member at isn't open 24 hours, nor do they have kickboxing classes. bummer

[Sc0tt]

my mom just bought an elliptical (or however you spell it..) because she doesn't want to run on the tred mill as often because its bad on your knees. i don't feel right on that thing (ellipitcal). i feel like im skiing!

[~*HoneyBee*~]

I love those eliptical machines. They really tone your legs and hiney up, and they are very easy on the knees. I am thinking about buying one for home use.

[Sc0tt]

yeah itis pretty nice. my mom seems to love it, though. which ones were you looking at honey?

[~*HoneyBee*~]

It was a Nautalis brand, I think?

[Sc0tt]

i never saw any of those...heres the one we got:
http://www.nordictrack.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=15 3&prrfnbr=733180&cgrfnbr=46527&rootcat=46525
if you want any more info, PM me

[~*HoneyBee*~]

Nordictrack is a great grand in home gyms. I may have to check into that one.

[Blondie41280]

I go to the Golds Gym and LOVEEEE IT. I like having the variety of all there machines and classes as well. Curves didnt seem to have much variety at all from what I saw. I esp love the treadmill, bikes, stairmaster thing and this cool incline thing like your hiking up a hill. They have all done wonders for my body and getting it really tone.

[~*HoneyBee*~]

Blondie: How do you keep yourself motivated? AHhh...I think if I didn't have any kids it would be easier for me. LOL

[Blondie41280]

I have no idea how I do everyone asks me haha. I go to the gym nearly everyday or every other day. Working out is the highlight of my day after working all day. Plus I have no life I workout and tan and run outside at the track and thats about it I do in my free time HA.

[immjj]

I wish working out was the highlight of my day. Vegging out in front of the Devil's eye is the highlight of my day.

[Bonnie]

Immjj, is that gym link the one you are thinking of joining? It looks great!

[immjj]

Yeah It's going to cost 60 for the membership fee, and a month's membership. If I like it (which I think I will) My husband is encouraging me to get a years membership

It was so funny. The other day, he didn't seem to like the idea of me joining a gym. Last night, I went home and showed him my thighs, and said, "Look at this." Then I showed him my stomache, and said, "Look at this." Then I showed him my arms and said, "Look at this." and he said, "What are you doing?" I said, "Wouldn't you like it so much better if all this was toned " He said, "Are you wanting to join a gym?" I whipped out all the info I had gathered (cost, facilities, pictures I got offline,) and sat down to show him. Then I explained that they'll let me work out there 2 times for free, to see if I'm into it.

Then I explained that curves would be $75 membership fee+ $39 a month, so the total month will be $114! If I joined LA East, it would only cost $60 for one month.

Once he realized what a good deal it was, and what a good gym it is, and what a good location it is (it's right across the street from where I work) He happily agreed to let me start going there

I think I'm going to go check it out on Monday.

It even has a place that does your nails inside!!! And a tanning bed, of course

[Blondie41280]

Wow curves charges that much. Thats not worth it I dont think. I just resigned back up to my gym and put down a $50 one time payment and in May when my membership is up I will pay $19 a month for unlimited gym access and classes and $10 for umlimited tanning in the HEX and bed units. But ya DEF join that gym IMMJJ it will grown on you and trust me you will learn to love it after awhile.

[Bonnie]

I think you made the right choice!

[immjj]

Yay~ I needed encouragement; thank you guys. I hope I do learn to love it If I don't, I'll just learn to love the way I look!

[Blondie41280]

Thats the best part when you can look at yourself in the mirror and be like WOW I look GOOD. Thats the best pay off.

[wetkissez]

There's a gym I go to out here that's HUGE and I mean HUGE. It's as big as a warehouse almost. It's called Xtreme Sports. They have one half of the downstairs as all weights, the other side is cardio, they have a full size juice bar, a clothing section, a complete tanning salon upstairs and some other things. Not to mention a HUGE TV wall on the weight training side of the gym complete with about 50 T.V.s and one TV for every 2 cardio machines on the other side. It's like I never have to leave... if I ever get there to begin with!

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Since light travels faster than sound, is that why people seem bright until you speak to them?[ This Message was edited by: wetkissez on 2004-01-16 14:57 ]

[Blondie41280]

WOW that place sounds nice. Theres a place that sounds on that idea in this area but its 30 minutes away and there open 24 hours a day too. If I had a better car I would def sign up there. I wanna go to a HUGE place like that it sounds like fuuuun.

[sunbunny]

My mom and I jsut checked out a gym yesterday. The entire upstairs is for women only, with the downstairs being coed. THey also hold several different classes and you get a trainer. I'd rather join this gym than I had curves. They have more to offer for the same money. Oh, and they have daycare. The curves here doesn't.

[wetkissez]

It is, I've had a membership there for the last few years after I noticed it while taking my Karate lessons across the street from it... but I think with my schedule I only managed to get there about 15 times since then. Sad huh?