No boys allowed
Bah. Due to problems with ipower my blog was down for the better part of yesterday. So if you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, I would love to know your opinion on a strength training routine to supplement my running!
I ended up buying a gym membership to a ladies only gym right across the street from my internship yesterday. I’ve never gone to a ladies only gym before, I’ve been going to the gym since I was 13 and I’m pretty comfortable lifting weights/working out in front of other people, even guys. Actually, one time at my gym in FSJ a bodybuilder (he was training for that same competition I was telling you about, only LAST years) asked me to spot for him when we were the only two people in the gym one morning! True story.
I got the membership there because it was conveniently close to work and because they had a special on–four months for only $100 with NO sign-up fee. Can’t really go wrong there, plus that includes classes. So many gyms don’t include classes with their memberships anymore and this annoys me! Anyways, with the sign-up I get a free 20-minute consultation with the personal trainer, so I’m doing that next Friday! It was the earliest I could fit it in since work is kind of crazy right now.
I was really sore yesterday from my long runs this weekend so I just went to the gym and did 5 minutes on the elliptical, 5 minutes on the rowing machine and then 30 minutes of upper body weights. The trainer that works there came in and was working out at the same time as me. Watching her work out made me think that she wouldn’t be the best trainer for me. I don’t want to sound too judgemental, but this was honestly what I thought.
1. She didn’t even do real pushups, she did them on a bench and she didn’t really have the greatest form. Now, I know that real pushups are hard, and I can only do about 15-20 in a row but still, she’s a personal trainer and I would kind of expect her to be more fit.
2. She was REALLY skinny. Not like fit-skinny, like underweight-skinny. Now, once again I realize that everyone’s body types are different and just because she was skinny doesn’t mean she wasn’t fit, but she didn’t look fit, she just looked skinny..
3. She looked mean. She wasn’t smiling, she had mean-looking eyes and she just didn’t look like a very upbeat, supportive kind of person.
So I’m going to have my consult with her still, but I don’t know if I’ll hire her, I doubt it. I just don’t want to spend my money on someone who won’t challenge me. I’ve had two personal trainers before, so I know the basic fundamentals of lifting weights, I know how all the machines work etc. I want a weight program that will supplement my running and, in the long run, will assist my running. So we’ll see, maybe she’ll surprise me.
I’m also starting to worry that the classes (the main reason I signed up) won’t be challenging enough. I mean the spin classes are only 25 minutes long!!! I know spin is tough, but seriously, only 25 minutes?? It’s not THAT tough. Once again I will have to see though, I’m going to a spin class on Wednesday after work, so I can report back after that.
I guess I’m mostly just worried that since it’s a ladies only gym, it won’t be as challenging and the instructors will be more easygoing. I like to be pushed hard when I work out, either by a trainer or in a class, and I don’t want to find that the classes are super easy. I guess it was only $100 though and after I’ve got my own strength routine figured out I can just go there three times a week and do my own thing. I have already done two drop-in yoga classes there and I REALLY enjoyed them, but they’re in the middle of the day so it will depend if I can find the time to leave the office for an hour or not. Some days it will be fine, other days (like yesterday) it won’t be happening! Most of their classes are in the middle of the day, not after work, so it’s clear they are kind of scheduled around mother’s. My bosses are pretty casual about me working whatever hours I want though, they usually take off to the gym around 11, so I’m sure it will be fine for me to leave to go to a class and then come back to work. Then I will have to shower and get ready in the morning and again after the gym! That might get annoying.
What kind of gym do you belong to? Any ladies out there ever belong to a ladies only gym, if so, what did you think?
Ya ladies gyms kind of sketch me out for the same reasons. I totaly agree a fitness trainer should do real push ups lol crazyness.
I’ve never had a gym membership, but I’d love to get one! I can’t wait to hear how your experience goes.
i want to get a personal training to help me sculpt the abs. I know there’s a 6 pack hiding in there somewhere.
core work is actually the best thing to help you with running. you want to strength train for balance muscles, as in the opposite muscles from what you use in running. those include core, stabilizers, lower back, outer quads, anything with side to side movements.
I belong to a YMCA that is kind of on the ghetto side! But it does the trick. The only ladies- only gyms around my city are Curves, and that’s not a gym format that I would like.
Hopefully this gym works for you – esp since it’s close to your internship & pretty cheap. Good luck w/ that personal trainer session!!
I belong to a gym open to everyone, but because I live in a military town and everyone here is military, they can all go to the free gyms on base. I used to go there, but I HATE them. They have nice equipment, but the only time of day I can go is after work or at 5:00am and it’s packed both times with military guys. I’m totally not comfortable working out with all these muscled up guys at maybe 2 women! I adore my new gym. There are very few people who go there because of course, we have to pay. My personal trainer is a woman who has daughters my age but she’s very fit and she’s just fantastic in every way. She is super nice. I couldn’t be more pleased. I was concerned when I first met her because she’d older, but now, after seeing the other trainers, I’m very pleased that I ended up with her. They offer classes and I’ve noticed the classes are predominantly women, but I’ve never attended any of the classes.
Yesterday, I was running on the treadmill right by the front door and these two guys had come in and apparently they’d been watching me work out with my trainer. They were talking to the girl at the front desk and one of them came over to me and he started asking me how I liked my trainer and then he talked to her and put in a request that she be his trainer. That might want to be something you consider. Watch some of them (inconspicuously!) at work, then maybe even talk to them… I wouldn’t want anyone who sounds like the trainer you described!
I agree with Carolina John on the core training.
Good luck!
i usually have a lot of trouble with personal trainers. I had one that was always checking my form and literally pushing me so hard, I loved him.
but when i was at the gym, I’d see trainers that wouldn’t pay attention to people’s forms, and just chit chatted. i’m like that’s not getting my money’s worth.
skinny trainer, over weight trainer, I’ve seen them all. I wouldn’t hire them. your look is representative of you. that’s what i think. if that’s judgmental, then so be it.
I go to Gold’s gym and while there are a lot of women who work out there, there are also a lot of intimidating bodybuilder-type men who can be a little daunting when I go to grab a pair of 10 lb dumbbells! The only ladies’ only gym I’ve ever been to was Curves (to pick up my mom) and this sounds nothing like that–yours seems like a regular gym that just happens to cater to women.
I can definitely relate to your skepticism about the trainer. Not every trainer is a good fit for every person, and your skill and strength level is probably a little advanced for her. They probably have a range of different types of trainers, so maybe if you tell them what your goals are they could match you with someone more fitting.
I go to a New York Sports club – I love it because they have great classes available – somtimes that’s the only thing that motivates me to the gym!
So, a bit off topic, but can you give us a run down of your top 10 fav blog reads? I used to link from yours to other bloggers who i can’t now locate bc i never added them to my reader. Um, the only one i can think of now is kate’s whole plate. Anyway, thought that might be fun for us all to throw out a few fav reads or something to share the blog love.
Good luck with the weight training! The gym I tried last week had men/women specific rooms so as not to intimidate or distract. It was kind of nice, but I’m totally comfortable working out with guys so I didn’t care either way.
I go to a co-ed gym and I really like it.
My old roomie is a great personal trainer so i always watch the others and kind of judge them. Why? Because they don’t watch their clients while they are working out. They check their cell phones. They don’t let them know if they are doing something wrong. My old roomie would ALWAYS correct me and while it annoyed me, it made me stronger. Now, if only he worked at my gym so I could hire him! I could use someone to kick my ass back into gear =)
A new gym membership is like a first date…a little awkward but usually a good thing in the end : ) I agree with Pursuit…spend some time at the gym before picking a trainer (if you go that route, which is sometimes not even worth it if you’re dedicated). I had a so-so trainer, then found Ms. Bootcamp after watching her with other clients. Either way, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the extra perks of a gym membership! I’m still too shy to take any classes…sigh.
Hmm….I don’t think 25 minutes is long for Anything – regardless of how “tough” it is!! Sounds like you have legitimate reasons to be a little concerned about how challenged you’ll be. They might not be ready for a runner/athlete/weight lifter to join the ranks!
I hope it turns out better than you think though! Keep us posted about that trainer appt!
With your past gym experiences, I understand your worries and concerns. I hope things turn out for the best. Good luck on spin class and hopefully it will give you the challenge you want.
I belong to a co-ed gym and I love it. It’s a chain here in the Midwest and in my city there are three of them. I splurged on my membership and pay a little extra to be able to go to all three gyms which is still a go pretty decent deal at $30/month. I belong to the gym pretty much only for the group fitness classes because they’re awesome! Helps that one of my best friends has been an instructor for eight years!
A 25 minute group fitness class?? I have never heard of such a thing, well except for abs. Weird!
I belong to YMCA- so its challenging enough. I think I would actually love 25 minute long spin classes- haha I get so bored in the long ones, but challenging wise you are right it wouldn’t be too crazy.
And also, you don’t sound bad with your thoughts on kids to me believe me- if there was water involved in my job I’d be having the same thoughts!
I’m new to your blog and I’m lovin it! Definitely a new follower!
I’ve never had a gym membership, but i DO go to one of those ghetto YMCA’s nearby. It’s nothing fancy but it has free classes and a dance studio (which i love!)
Sounds like you found a great gym! Good luck with that personal trainer!
I don’t do gyms anymore, and I do my spinning at a sports centre where I used to work. Only 25 minutes??? That’s the classes that my center has for seniors…Maybe you can take 2 in a row??