Join the Club

I've never been a gym person.  Ever.

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!