The complimentary one week gym pass couldn’t have come at a better time. I have this week off from work, it’s gonna be frigid outside and my legs could really use a break from running for a few days.
Yesterday, I ventured to our local LA Fitness. I’m not exactly looking to join a gym because I’d rather walk 0.5 miles to our free community gym than have to get in my car and drive 2.5 miles, but I told myself it couldn’t hurt to just try it out.
I couldn’t believe what a difference being in a real gym made! The last real gym I went to was in college almost 2 years ago (bahhhhh has it really been that long?!). Since then I’ve been using our community gym. While it’s small, it’s fairly decent. It has 4 treadmills, 3 ellipticals, 3 bikes, a few weight machines and a large set of dumbbells. It’s rarely overcrowded, which is surprising considering the size of our community. Most importantly though, it’s FREE!
So I took advantage of this pass to change things up and maaaaaaybe consider joining for a month or two this winter (probably not).
Upon walking in, my first instinct was to head over to the elliptical. Then I remembered I was there to use different equipment. So I hopped on the Stairmaster. The 2 machines I miss the most from my college gym are the Arctrainer and the Stairmaster.
The Stairmaster is hands down the most evil piece of equipment in the gym. EVIL!
No matter how fit I think I am, no matter how many miles I can run, the stairmaster can make me pant like a dog within minutes…and drip buckets of sweat. Yes, ‘buckets’ is plural.
I managed to stay on for 30 minutes (a miracle) and I even threw in 3 sprint intervals. Holy sweat! The guy on the machine next to me was dying too. We were dying together. It was quite the bonding experience.
Usually I strength train for about 10-20 minutes (20-30 minutes if I’m working both upper and lower body). It’s hard to do exercises in our small community gym with limited equipment and I get bored.
Yesterday, I worked my legs and abs for 45 minutes and I’m definitely feeling it today! There were a few machines there I had never even seen before. I must say having the company of others was very motivating. It’s not like I was talking to them or anything, but it made me want to spend more time lifting weights. Does that make any sense?
I did these killer ab/leg exercises with the balance ball that I used to do in college. Buuuuuuurn! I wish we had a balance ball at home. Oh wait, we DID but my mom sold it in a garage sale for like $1. Gah.
At some point during the week I hope to take a cycle class.
The cycle room was humongous (like 70 bikes!) and it was open for use because there were no classes going on. I hopped on a bike for a solo spin sesh to cool down and shake out my legs.
I immediately noticed this counter. I’d never been on a spin bike with a counter (the ones I used at Duke only had a knob to change the gear). How cool!
I’m excited to go back today and work my upper body. They have the assisted pull up machine—one of my favorites! I haven’t used it in forever. My arms are trembling just thinking about it.
I guess this break from running won’t be so boring after all 
.
Before I go, do people actually use these dumbbells?! Um, this is the weight of my entire body in a single dumbbell!
Oh and I refueled last night with carrot cake and cream cheese frosting. More on that later! I hope you’re thoroughly enjoying your weekend.
See ya!
Tell me: Do you have a gym membership? What’s your favorite piece of equipment?
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
If the gym has an arc trainer, you must try it! Runner or not, that machine will more than likely leave you panting…it does for me at least! I love the leg press and lateral pull down machines for weights!
This one does not have it
I used to use that machine almost every day at my school gym. It is so much better than the elliptical! I miss it so much. They are expensive though. I wanted to buy one .
I have a gym membership. I need to use it more. I like the convenience of LA Fitness because there are so many of them throughout the metro ATL area. Lately, I’ve been working out at home or running outside. Beats driving out to the gym for sure!!
I have a similar love/hate relationship with the stairmaster. It really never gets easier but it’s a great break from running. And I’ve seen big giant men lift those dumbbells. All their veins pop out and they make weird grunting sounds. It’s best to turn and look the other way.
I read this comment on the Stairmaster today and literally burst out laughing…and then had to put my phone away because I was drowning in sweat. But yes, those giant grunters!!
I’m way too nervous to use the gym! My apartment has a tiny gym downstairs but I get worried about other people being in there at the same time. The pool is where it’s at for me!
I don’t have a gym membership, but with the early evening darkness still, I’m wishing I did have one. It’s hard to get myself to drive there, but I always am satisfied when I am. A yoga studio membership though would make me life!
That looks like such an awesome gym!! My gym cannot even compare!!! Its okaaaay but definitely gets crowed quick and the classes STINK!
Totally jealous of the counters you have on the spin bikes at your LA! That is where I go.. and we have NO counters… and only 30 bikes. That room is HUGE! !
I;ve just gotten back into the stair mill recently. I always get really into it and then I drop it like a bad habit for months at a time. There were points where I’d climb for an hour. That is just crazy. I vow to never do that again! ha
woah! The stair master looks quite intense!!
I have a gym membership that I mainly use for the group fitness classes, like Body Pump, kickboxing and Zumba. Like you said, it is really motivating to workout around other people, like we are all in this together or something.
I go to LA fitness and I love it! Their spin classes and body works classes are my favorite. It still all depends on the teacher, but overall they’re great. Hope you enjoy!
I used to have a membership to LA fitness before I left for college and looooved it. Their spin classes are awesome!
Oh I love the Stairmaster..so hard but such a good workout…so many of the gyms I’ve been to don’t have them. Since going back to school, its nice I can use the university’s gym and my apartment has a decent gym too. I have to go super early at school (which is fine with me) because it is always super packed. I am in TOTAL support of not using a gym for fitness, but I’ll be honest, I couldn’t go very long without a membership somewhere..all the equipment is just nice to have and keeps things interesting! Enjoy your week there!
The last time I was on a StairClimber, I felt the camaraderie of working out with the girl next to me. She really kept me motivated because we were both dying. I didn’t know her or anything, but unlike with the other machines, the StairClimber requires so much more focus (so you don’t fall off). That spin room looks amazing – all the bikes are so neat. I think this is the fanciest spin room I’ve ever seen!
I KNOW!! I had a magazine with me and didn’t even TRY to flip it open. I successfully read one blog on my phone and then had to put it down because my sweat was splashing everywhere.
I’ve had a gym membership at one place or another for the past 10 years (since I was a senior in highschool) and couldn’t live without it! I love the environment & access to lots of types of equipment.
Carrot cake fuel, I love it! Is that homemade??
You should get a gym pass for a few months! You’ll like the change. LA Fitness is a nice gym!
No, it was store-bought. Lo the Bro got it from the Whole Foods bakery. Almost home made
. I’m seriously thinking about getting one now, since the guy is offering no initiation fee and month-to-month payment. We’ll see!
Yes, i DO have a gym membership. And I LOVE it! I have made so many good friends, running/work out buddies, and also some good info and tips because of my gym. It would be hard to give it up if I ever had to.
Not to sound creepy or anything but I’m actually a member of that same gym! haha I live in NoVA too but I’m in college right now. During my winter break I joined that LA Fitness to stay in shape while I was at home. It really is a beautiful gym isn’t it? If you do take a spin class make sure to take one of Angela’s! I took a few of her spin classes over my break and they were killer. She also teaches some Bodyworks classes too and oh my gosh I felt them for days after, it was great!
Hi Clarice! Totally not creepy
. We should hang out when you are home, okay? I will be sure to take Angela’s class–thanks for the tip.
I don’t have a membership anywhere, but I have been thinking seriously about getting one. My job gets me a pretty hefty discount at a gym nearby, I just haven’t been able to bite the bullet and sign up yet. It’s hard for me to justify it when I can run right outside my door and strength train in my living room with our free weights. I really miss taking classes though.
What a bonding experience you two had on the equipment together….. I miss a gym. The nearest one is over 40 miles away so I have to go at it alone in my house or outdoors!
I belong to a gym. I just LOVE it. I do not know what I would do without having it. I tried to work out at home or the community rec center (ours is like $35/year) but I just do not do as good a job when I am in that situation.
This is the exact gym my in-laws go to. I’ve gone a few times as a guest while visiting them. It’s weird to see pictures of it online when I’ve been there. I took a spin class before and it was great. I’d try to get one in before the week is up.
I have a free membership to my school gym and I don’t know what I’d do without it! It has a great assortment of machines and equipment. My only complaint is that I wish the machines had individual tvs – the wall tvs are never set to interesting channels!
I almost joined the LA Fitness here but the people there are total scam artists and tried to rip me off. I’ll stick with my free community gym!
I’m swooning over that cycle room! I wish mine looked half as organized as that.
You’re so purty!! Sounds like quite a workout!!
I belong to LA Fitness and really love to take advantage of the classes. My favorites are spin, body works, and kickboxing – you should give them all a try to get an idea of whether it’d be a good investment! Not sure what I’d do without the classes I take – probably be incredibly bored
Even though my apartment complex has a gym, there’s just something about going to a “real” gym that makes me more motivated. I take group classes (BodyPump!) and even enjoy the treadmill more when I’m surrounded by people. If you’re loving it and adding more variety to your workouts, I think it’s totally worth it to suck it up and pay (although it’s nice having a free gym).
I am glad you are enjoying the gym Allie. If you are going to use the gym, join. It is more motivating as Lena mentioned, and there is the social aspect which is nice
I totes agree about the StairMaster- it kicks my butt every time! By the end of 15 minutes I feel like I’m holding on for dear life
My fiance and I got an all-access [can use any of the locations] membership at Sport & Health and love it- I’ve belonged there with my family since I was in high school and think they have great facilities [indoor and outdoor pool, a healthy snack bar at some locations, tons of cardio and weight machines] and free fitness classes!
I wish I had a gym membership! We have a really nice one about 2 miles from my house, but it’s so expensive. Stinky! So for now I have to stick to my workout DVD’s and jogging out doors.
I used to have a gym membership; I miss being able to use all of the different machines. I like Jillian’s workouts since she does cardio, circuits, and weights.
Haha, I hear ya on the evil stepmill (or stairmaster). I even have a post on my blog called “Evil Stepmill Workout.” That machine kills me everytime, but the best part is that people either a) are afraid of it, or b)don’t know how to use it, so there’s never anyone on it at my gym.
I miss the gym… a little… but I went from gym workouts -> home workouts and have actually been able to maintain some sort of shape…
Looking good, btw!
Every time I see those dumbbells at my gym, I think of those cartoony 1920s strong men with the wide curly mustaches who travel with a circus. I have never seen a real human being lift one.
I have a membership to my local YMCA, and I love it. It’s never crowded, there are no salespeople trying to get me to sign up for anything, and they have great spin and yoga classes. Bonus: it’s a lot cheaper than the conglomo-gyms in my area. I just wish they had CrossFit!