Gym/Exercise Thread

[dodint]

Yeah!

(You're black?)

[PensFanInDC]

So there's a boxing gym relatively close to me and I've always wanted to learn how to box. But its $55 a month and $10 a class (2 classes a week). And they're group classes too, so that's whatever.

My only other option is LA Fitness which will be $30 a month. I've had good experiences at the previous LA Fitness I was a member of, but that one also had a basketball court and swimming pool which this one doesn't.

I know the classic response is "do what you want" but I seriously don't know what I want. Would $75 a month be too much for just 2 group boxing classes?

Any gym that charges a monthly fee plus class fees is a joke IMO.

[dodint]

So every gym, then?

[shoeshine boy]

if you go the boxing gym route be very careful what kind of contract you sign. many smaller boxing gyms make it impossible to cancel your contract and under no circumstances should you let them take your fees directly from your bank account.

just wondering, if classes are extra what are you paying $55 for? strictly access to the building and equipment?

[dodint]

In my wife's case she gets access to the gym as a building for a flat fee. Then if she takes a special class, like the six week 'Boot Camp' which was 30 sessions of a group circuit program she pays a fee. Regular aerobics and yoga are part of the flat membership, I believe.

I'm okay with the fee, she looks amazing.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

if you go the boxing gym route be very careful what kind of contract you sign. many smaller boxing gyms make it impossible to cancel your contract and under no circumstances should you let them take your fees directly from your bank account.

just wondering, if classes are extra what are you paying $55 for? strictly access to the building and equipment?

I'm guessing just access to everything (weights, conditioning stuff, bags and whatnot and sparring ring)

The reviews on Yelp for it aren't bad, but people also complained about LA Fitness and I didn't have any problem with them really

[shoeshine boy]

maybe it's just me but that seems like a lot of money per month. I will admit though that my gym is a Planet Fitness where I pay $20 a month (basic membership is $10) so that I can bring guests everyday if I want, use the hydromassage and I can use any PF in the country. classes are also included. there's nothing fancy, no basketball, no pool, no spin classes but I can get done what I need to with the equipment that they've got.

[DudeMan2766]

In the midst of a 24 hour water only fast. Actually its coming up on 24 hours around now but I'm going to hopefully take it through lunch time tmw. No idea really why I'm doing it (especially I'll prob be eating like a pig the next two days and drinking) but I needed something to make me feel a little better and "flush" my system out. you know, toxins and such. It actually hasn't been that bad today. I barely had trouble not eating at all, which I'm real real surprised about. How a cup of decaf green tea at lunch but nothing but water since. I've actually heard that once a week or so intermittent fasts are really beneficial.

[bh]

I really want to lose some pounds but I really want to eat food too. Things aren't working here right now.

[tifosi77]

I've never been diligent about working out, usually going for 3-4 months of regular training, then another 3-4 months of potato chips and beer. I'm about to emerge from one of the potato chip periods, so yaaaaay me.

[shafnutz05]

Pretty pumped, in-laws got me a really nice set of adjustable dumbbells for Christmas (both adjustable up to 52.5 lb each). I've always HATED using bands, so needless to say I'm excited to use the free weights.

[tifosi77]

What brand of weights did they get you? Looking for a recommendation.

[count2infinity]

What brand of weights did they get you? Looking for a recommendation.

likewise

[dodint]

Same.

Moving my elliptical, treadmill, and plate machine by myself counts as a workout, no?

[tifosi77]

If I can count taking down the Christmas lights (which I did), then you can count moving actual workout equipment.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Same.

Moving my elliptical, treadmill, and plate machine by myself counts as a workout, no?

How many reps?

[dodint]

I unloaded a 26ft fully packed truck by myself in about 10 hrs. Every muscle in my body is aching. If I did this for a living I'd be in amazing shape or broken.

My Dad gave me the plate machine, and he threw in a punching bag. I did some bag stuff when I was a Marine, but it's boring. Are there routines or anything for this? It's a full sized bag, but there is also an extension where I can add a speedbag as well. What's the utility of these other than pretending to punch MIMH's in your head?

[JS©]

I somehow lost five lbs over the holidays despite doing nothing but drinking and eating like crap and running maybe 4ish miles on one of the warm days.

Noticed yesterday when I hit the treadmill that the gym is starting to police the treadmills 20 min at a time. Nothing was said yesterday since it was surprisingly empty, but I did get a few glares. That's a warm up to some people. To me, that's about my halfway mark. I just hate the idea of jumping from one treadmill to another to finish my workout. **** resolutioners.

[dodint]

Oh, man, yeah. I had that problem in Afghan. They programmed the treadmills to shut off after 30 minutes on their own, and I was doing between 6-9 miles depending on the day. I started using the timing on my watch instead and just restarted it. Still a pain but at least I didn't have to get off of the machine. I worked 2nd shift so the place would be empty cause I'd get there at like 2am. It sucked.

[shoeshine boy]

20 minutes is a little stingy on the treadmills. 30 is more reasonable but still stupid, imo to put a time limit on it. are they also policing the weight benches too to keep the meatheads from spending 3 hours there?
I usually skip the first week or two of the year at the gym to give the resolutioners time to get it out of their system.

[JS©]

Considered doing that, but those first two weeks after taking an extended break are the worst. I was already off for the majority of a month thanks to a hamstring, running maybe 3x tops with one of those being a very light jog that was closer to a walk.

I'm on my way there for a run now. I'm considering switching to a pre-work run for the time being, but getting up at 4:30? I really don't want any part of that

[dodint]

Everyone and their brother has recommended that I use the elliptical because of my arch issues. I really want to run but if I don't do it right I'll tear up my feet again and be sidelined for months again. So I did the elliptical yesterday. My problem with it is that it feels more like a leg workout than a cardio workout. And as tall as I am the stride feels really awkward unless I squat down some which is quite difficult in its own right.

Is this a case of me needing to build up my legs first before I get the cardio benefit? I used to have a similar issue with running where my wind would compete with my leg muscle endurance to see which would limit me the most. Over time both were conditioned enough that I could run a marathon in a respectable time. Will something similar happen with this silly gadget?

Also, I forgot how much fun hitting a heavy bag is. Looking forward to doing an actual routine with it once I can get the stand weighted down a little more. Right now I end up punching the whole rig around the room. I found some heavy bag routines on Youtube and hope to get into them soon. Need to find a speedbag soon, too.

[Idoit40fans]

20 minutes is a little stingy on the treadmills. 30 is more reasonable but still stupid, imo to put a time limit on it. are they also policing the weight benches too to keep the meatheads from spending 3 hours there?
I usually skip the first week or two of the year at the gym to give the resolutioners time to get it out of their system.

I stop for 6 weeks for resolution people haha. Just body weight stuff at home

[shoeshine boy]

I actually went back for the first time yesterday. the gym wasn't crowded but it being a holiday I doubt it was a fair representation.
my original plan was to spend all of January working out in my basement to T25. due to some water damage and the re-do taking longer than expected that never happened though.

[pittsoccer33]

It was disappointing to see how expensive the Pittsburgh Marathon has gotten. The first time I ran the half it was like $60 or so. Now its twice that.