HEALTH & FITNESS

by Cheryl Alker

BACK TO SCHOOL – BACK TO THE GYM!

So you made the “Commit to be Fit” pledge on January 1^st 2009
and it was all systems go. Statistics show that at least 50% of new members to a fitness facility will have dropped out within the first three months. Your good intentions, however, may have actually lasted until the beginning of June but then summer came, the children broke up from school and that pledge now seems a lifetime away. Or maybe the pledge was made but you actually never went any further than the pledge itself. Either way, with the children now back at school it is time to re-assert your promise to yourself “To get fit in 2009” but how, where, and what?

It would seem like there is a fitness center of some sort on just about every street corner these days, so where do you start?

The first question you have to ask yourself is what type of exercise you want?

• Do you love to swim?

• Will you be happy
  just running or walking on a treadmill or do you need the latest machines
  to keep you motivated?

• Is yoga, stretch
  or pilates your thing?

• Are you the outdoor
  type?

• Would tennis be
  something that could keep you motivated?

Answering the above questions is vital to the type of facility you should start investigating. Your enthusiasm may be high at the moment, but unfortunately, even with all the best will in the world this will wane. For success, it is imperative that the right choice is made now.

If variety is your thing, you’ll need a gym with lots of group classes, maybe a pool, a racquetball and basketball court and many different types
of machines.

If you just need to get in and out, find a facility set up for a “quickie workout;” this way you won’t be paying for all the classes and amenities you won’t be using.

If your daily life runs at 110 miles per hour, maybe you need to consider some balance, therefore, a mind/body studio that offers, yoga, stretch and pilates would be more beneficial.

The good thing is they are all available and will no doubt be close by, although convenience is a priority. It will be far too easy not to go if your travelling time is too great. Decide when you’re going to work out most of the time. If it’s in the morning or on weekends, a facility close to home may be more suitable; however, if you want to fit your workout in during lunch or after work, choose a gym close to the office.

Once you’ve decided on the type of facility that will work for you, then it’s time to take a field trip. Visit at the time you generally will be exercising. This way you can see how busy the club is and whether you will easily be able to use the equipment or get into the group class of your choice.

Ask what type of credentials the staff have, and do research on it yourself if you are not familiar with the certification they tout. Check the facility’s
emergency procedures; not only should their staff be able to coach you through a safe and effective exercise program, they should know how to handle a medical emergency.

The facility should have an automated external defibrillator (AED), a machine that analyzes a person’s heart rhythm, determines if an electrical shock is needed, and delivers the shock. An AED’s use while waiting for paramedics to arrive can be life-saving. If the club doesn’t have an AED, find another facility.

Be observant when you tour facilities. Is it clean? Are there “Out of Order” signs on any pieces of equipment? Are there sprays or wipes easily available throughout the gym for cleaning the equipment after use? Are the locker rooms unkempt? Are the showers dirty or leaking? Is the hot tub cloudy? Do the machines look like they are in poor condition? Is the studio floor clean? What about the mirrors? Consider these questions when determining whether this is the place where you want to spend your money or your time.

Does the Club offer all the amenities you desire (e.g. child care, personal training, massage, a restaurant)?

What is the cost? Cost is usually tied to what the gym has to offer, so don’t pay for the nicest, newest club if you are never going to need the showers, lockers, child care or pool. If you just want to run on a treadmill, there will probably be a less expensive option in your area.

For whatever gym you join, be wary of the fine print. Ensure you’re not locked into a long-term commitment. Find out the allowances for special
circumstances such as the birth of a child, illness of a parent, operations. Can you freeze your membership any time you wish?

If you travel often, make sure your club has a reciprocity agreement with other clubs.

Finally, talk to people. Does the gym have a good reputation? Get some impartial information by checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the facility you are considering.

Of course a gym may not be what you are looking for; perhaps outdoor pursuits are more up your alley like walking, cycling, tennis etc. If this is the case, you’ll need to consider how the weather variations throughout the year will affect your ability to adhere to your program regularly and long term.

No matter what your preference, consider finding a “workout buddy.” Making an appointment with someone, whether it a friend or a trainer ensures a greater chance that you won’t cancel on yourself. No matter how you feel on your workout day, make yourself a promise that you do at least 10 minutes. If, after that first 10 minutes, you are still not up to the challenge then you may stop and go home. You will often find the most difficult part of your workout is getting there, once you have started it really is not that bad!

Exhausted? Don’t be – now you have made this important decision, don’t set yourself up for failure. Get it right at the outset and this will be the last year you make “Getting Fit” your number one New Year’s Resolution or come September you feel as if you have to start all over again.

Happy Hunting!

Cheryl Alker specializes in flexibility training, facial exercises and postural alignment. Her 26-year career began as a group fitness and personal trainer. She has lectured and directed fitness training programs in both Europe and the USA and was an advisor for a British governmental health promotion program. Alker and her company Stretch Results International continues to work with a select clientele from a base in Palm Beach County, certifying health professionals in her results-based stretching program, educating consumers through public speaking and offering consultation to clients who wish to lose their muscular pain and gain flexibility to achieve full and active lifestyles. Her program has been accredited with The National Association of Sports Medicine, The American Council of Exercise, The National Strength and Conditioning Association and The Florida Physical Therapy Association. For more information about professional continuing education and consultation options, please call Cheryl at (561) 889 3738 or visit www.stretchresults.com.