lozi_murias
7th August 2006, 15:57
For someone who used to be very active, I have become very unfit. Not necessarily overweight, but unfit and unconfident.
This morning I decided to do something about that - so I revved up my car and went to look round some local gyms to find out how much of my hard-earned cash I might spend joining, and what I'd actually get for my money. Being a "gym virgin" I started off, rather appropriately, at Virgin Active, which absolutely blew me away; it was all funky and colourful, and the facilities could be described as "The Ultimate Gym" - it really was amazing. It was also rather expensive...
Secondly I went to Cannons Gym, which, frankly did not impress me. The facilities didn't match up, but it was marginally cheaper. The thing that put me off though was the atmosphere - it was full of very serious people - skinny people too, and it would be the sort of place where people would look down their nose at you, a mere mortal. That was a "no" then...
Thirdly I went to Fitness First, which didn't look like a gym at all, (the reception area was more like a traditional pub-restaurant,) but the other facilities were good and the people were very friendly, however there was no swimming pool. That sort of ruined it for me; there's no point joining a gym if you can't use a swimming pool...but it was the cheapest option...
When I got home and talked about it, it became clear that Virgin Active was the clear winner - the atmosphere was very motivating, I didn't feel like a freak for being a size 12, and the facilities were not to be beaten. I am now an "Off-Peak Member" on a monthly contract, so I can go between 6:30am and 3:00pm weekdays (although I can get there at 2:55 and stay as long as I like,) and 3-8pm on weekends. It's also directly between my house and my uni campus - very convenient. I shan't tell you how much I am paying, because it's quite a lot - but if it makes me happy, it gets me fit, and it keeps me out of trouble, surely it's worth it.
I have jumped in at the deep end (although not literally yet) and I'm going for my induction tomorrow morning, at 7:00am.....so I'll let you know how I get on! Prepare to see a fitter, happier, more motivated, less-flabby Lozi! :zainy:
This morning I decided to do something about that - so I revved up my car and went to look round some local gyms to find out how much of my hard-earned cash I might spend joining, and what I'd actually get for my money. Being a "gym virgin" I started off, rather appropriately, at Virgin Active, which absolutely blew me away; it was all funky and colourful, and the facilities could be described as "The Ultimate Gym" - it really was amazing. It was also rather expensive...
Secondly I went to Cannons Gym, which, frankly did not impress me. The facilities didn't match up, but it was marginally cheaper. The thing that put me off though was the atmosphere - it was full of very serious people - skinny people too, and it would be the sort of place where people would look down their nose at you, a mere mortal. That was a "no" then...
Thirdly I went to Fitness First, which didn't look like a gym at all, (the reception area was more like a traditional pub-restaurant,) but the other facilities were good and the people were very friendly, however there was no swimming pool. That sort of ruined it for me; there's no point joining a gym if you can't use a swimming pool...but it was the cheapest option...
When I got home and talked about it, it became clear that Virgin Active was the clear winner - the atmosphere was very motivating, I didn't feel like a freak for being a size 12, and the facilities were not to be beaten. I am now an "Off-Peak Member" on a monthly contract, so I can go between 6:30am and 3:00pm weekdays (although I can get there at 2:55 and stay as long as I like,) and 3-8pm on weekends. It's also directly between my house and my uni campus - very convenient. I shan't tell you how much I am paying, because it's quite a lot - but if it makes me happy, it gets me fit, and it keeps me out of trouble, surely it's worth it.
I have jumped in at the deep end (although not literally yet) and I'm going for my induction tomorrow morning, at 7:00am.....so I'll let you know how I get on! Prepare to see a fitter, happier, more motivated, less-flabby Lozi! :zainy: