Julie’s Gym Types

February 21st, 2008 · No Comments

Okay…I’m going to confess something very serious and personal about my workouts that I’ve never shared before in my 10 years of working out. (no, my breasts are actually real in the sports bra). It’s hard for me to say this…but I am going to be brutally honest and come clean. Here goes…

I am a “poly’gym’ist”.

Whew! There…I said it. Gosh, I feel SO MUCH BETTER! That’s right..Think what you may, but as a dedicated exerciser, I need a host of “sister gyms” to support my fitness goals. I kind of spread the workout wealth around depending on how I feel on any given day. It became clear to me, years ago, that the relationship I have with my gyms is similar to the relationships I have with my friends. Each one has a unique personality and you know which friend you can count on for what. And ultimately you need them all to satisfy you.

Do I feel strong today and want to be “one of the guys”. Do I want a more reflective and meditative environment where I can look outside and see mountains? Do I want to see the hot guy in the baseball cap? Do I feel icky and look like crap today? Can I go to the gym that has the piece of equipment to isolate the third knuckle on my right hand?

Under the heading of “don’t expect one man to meet all your needs”…so saith I about gyms!

I say try out several (preferably one large chain that has a few different locations you can use). For example, maybe one gym where you can do it yourself a couple of times a week and another where you are with a trainer. I have four. Yes, I know, it sounds selfish and greedy… but, after all, would a chef only eat at four restaurants?!?! My gyms break down like this:

-running gym

-aesthetic/peaceful gym

-friendly/ non-threatening gym

-unbeatable equipment gym

Two of these gyms belong to a huge chain, one is the gym where I work and one is the gym where I train with my trainer. So, basically I pay $25 per month for access to two of them, I GET paid at one, and I only pay a trainer friend at the fourth.

So, whether you are just beginning an exercise program or are a devout spinner/kickboxer/weight lifter/swimmer….find a variety of workout places and environments to suit your many loves and moods. In the end, your gyms will never let you down if you go to the right ones at the right time. Show it the love…

JulieB