I've never paid for a gym membership, mostly because I'm capable of working out on my own without writing a check to a smelly gym every month.
Keyword: capable. Reality: not so much.
I'm a fair-weather runner. I run when it's not too cold, not too hot, and not raining.
I'm a sporadic yoga participant. I do a short routine occasionally at night when I have extra time or feel the need to calm my mind and body.
Beyond that....not a whole lot of serious exercise going on around here.
Realizing that I could use an extra dose of motivation, I signed up for a women's strength training class in January. It was Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon-1pm for three weeks. I faithfully put on workout clothing twice a week and drove on down to my little class at the local gym. I walked on the treadmill, lifted some weights, did some stretching and strength-building exercises. It was fun, but it didn't offer any kind of total body transformation.
What it did offer was a slap in the face about the importance of routine and accountability. When you have a class on a specific day and time, you have to go RIGHT THEN, or you miss it. (Unlike my run that I often postpone until "later", which sometimes turns out to be "never".)
This simple realization set us on course to start researching an actual gym membership that would offer some classes, a bit of structure and routine, and maybe something fun for the kids to do. We did the one-week trial membership at Sun Oaks and tried out a few new things. The kids did the tumbling and karate classes. I tried out the cardio room. Hubby and I played racquetball.
After our trial week, there are two things that sealed the deal for me. First, onsite childcare. The ability to drop off my kids for up to 2 hours each day while I exercise just makes things that much easier. It removes one more excuse for why I can't exercise. Good stuff.
Second, racquetball. When hubby and I played racquetball last week, it was the first time I had played in over 20 years. It was his first time ever. And he won. Urgh. Regardless, we still had a lot of fun. And then the next day I could hardly move. My shoulder was aching. Every last joint was stiff. Muscles I didn't even know existed were screaming bloody murder.
So maybe, if I can't play a game of racquetball without being semi-crippled for two days afterwards, perhaps my fitness level is less than desirable.
And more importantly....if I can't beat my husband at racquetball then clearly a gym membership is in order.
Sign me up!
