Exercise options - Gym vs. Home Workout

From Page 100: Work On The Entire You

The following are small excerpts on Exercise options taken from Pz's "Get a Jump-Start on Aging," soon to be available in its entirety online.

Pz Pointers on joining the Gym:

• Do your research before joining a gym.

  Examine the facility. Compare it to others in the area. Is it located close to work? Make sure it has adequate equipment in good working order with enough mobility. Be sure there is sufficient ventilation—there's nothing worse than working out in a stinky hot box. Make sure there instructors who know what they are doing and not a bunch of cutesy little bimbos hopping around acting important. Do they have rules? What are they? If they post a sign stating a towel must be used or no work out, do you observe that rule being followed? (I can tell you there are a lot of things I'd rather do than sit or lay down in someone else's sweat.) Don't be afraid to ask questions. This is a big decision. If the management or staff can't take you on a tour and spend some time with you, then they're in the wrong business and it's not the gym for you. Ask for a guest pass. Some gyms offer a few free visits.

• Join for a one-month period.

  Use your guest pass. If you have a pretty good feeling about the place, join for one month, only one month. All gyms have a monthly rate. If they tell you they don't, tell then that's all you're willing to commit to at this point. If they don't like it, show them my book and tell them I told you so. Blame it on me! That is a pretty good starting point. You should know enough about the gym and your commitment to stick with it in that timeframe. If you chart most peoples' progress you will find most don't make it beyond a month. This should be a commitment, something you will incorporate into your life for the rest of your life. You need to be in a place that you enjoy, that meets your needs, and that will help you achieve your goals. Sometimes that is hard to determine unless you actually use the facility over a period of time. Find a gym where you can pay for one month and if you still want to continue you can apply the money to a longer plan. Do not feel pressured into anything. Do not go in and sign a long-term contract for a year's membership. Do not give them access to your bank account for automatic withdrawal of the fees. I have made this mistake, and it is a mistake. I don't care what the deal is. If they will not agree to your terms and work with you, then they are not the gym to join. Wait until you are sure, or the gym will have your money and you'll be left with a negative feeling about working out, and simply quit.

• Set clear goals going in

  Make it clear that you want to use free-weights as well as machines. You only learn a routine by doing it. If weight loss is a priority, have the instructor help you develop a program to incorporate that goal. Don't get thrown in with the masses or lost in the crowd and waste your time, energy, and money on something that isn't meeting your own individual needs. If you're going to do it, and I hope you do, then do it right . . .