Choosing the Right Gym to Keep that Weight Loss Resolution

As the two month bacchanal of feasting and partying known as "the holiday season" nears an end many of us are loosening our belts and thinking that losing some weight and getting in shape would be a great new years resolution. Statistics show, however, that most new years resolutions never make it past Valentines day unless their makers set reasonable and attainable goals. With that in mind, I would like to share some information on choosing a gym and a workout regime that I have acquired over the last couple of month while trying to whip myself back into shape.

After coming home from vacation a couple of months ago and looking at pictures taken of myself, I decided I really needed to get in shape. I am short, 5'3" and shrinking, and have always had what I like to refer to as a rather zaftig figure, but age, gravity and my love of good food were not working in my favor. Since I had recently caught my usually slim husband looking in the mirror at his sudden and disturbing middle age paunch and he was complaining that his cloths were getting tight, I used that as leverage to get him to let loose of some money so we could join a gym.

Since we had both belonged to gyms before, and after starting out with fervor and determination, had for varied and sundry reasons slid into going less and less and finally letting our memberships lapse we were determined to make it work this time.

SHOP AROUND

Most national chains such as Bally, Curves, LA Fitness, and Gold's Gym have websites. Check them out to get an overview of their plans and then go for a visit. Since most individual gyms operate as franchises they are not always the same.

When you are touring the facilities check the following:

• Equipment: Is it well maintained or are there a lot of out of order signs? Are there enough machines or are people queuing up for certain equipment?
• Cleanliness: Is there mold growing in the corners of the shower stalls? Chipped and broken tiles? Empty bottles and energy bar wrappers lying around?
• Classes: Are fitness classes available such as yoga, pilates, kick boxing or spinning? Is there an extra charge for them or are they included in the membership?
• Trainers: Are they available and how much do they charge?
• Cliental: Are you going to be comfortable working out here with these people or intimidated?

If you like what you see and are ready to sign up be sure to ask a lot of questions about the available plans before you join. The "Special De Jour" is not always the best plan for you. National chains have many levels of membership from worldwide gym access to single location access with varying prices. They may also offer discounts on long-term membership, and some have 2 week to 30 day trial memberships available.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

No matter how fabulous the gym is or how great a deal they are offering, if you have to drive a half hour to get there, you are probably going to find excuses not to go and work out. Ideally the gym should either be near your home, or on your way to or from work.

TRAINERS

I decided that at my advanced age, 54, going into the gym without any guidance would probably be fruitless and almost certainly dangerous, so I decided to hire a trainer. Of course, she turned out to be a gorgeous, hard-bodied, twenty-something who was much more perky than anyone ought to be at 7am.

Yes, most trainers have bodies that you will never be able to attain, unless you are twenty-something and willing to workout a lot, everyday. What you can achieve however is a stronger, healthier and if you work at it, slimmer version of yourself.

A good trainer will ask you about your goals and show you how best to achieve them without injuring yourself. They will train you in proper equipment operation and gym etiquette (yes, there is such a thing) and may offer advise on lifestyle changes and nutrition.

I highly recommend at least a few sessions with a trainer when you are starting out and some gyms will offer free or discounted trainer sessions to their new members.

GOALS

If you do not set reasonable goals for yourself, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Start slow and work your way up to more strenuous exercise. If you are out of shape, you will probably be huffing and puffing after fifteen brisk minutes on a treadmill and just about ready to die after ten vigorous minutes on an elliptical machine. Do not despair! Start with ten-minute sessions the first week or so, then add five more minutes every week until you reach your goal.

When working out with weights, more reps with less weight, done correctly, is usually a good rule of thumb for beginners. Those guys with the big guns bench-pressing the weight of a small elephant did not get that way overnight.

Vary your routine. Doing the same thing every day is boring. Work on a different group of muscles during each work out, such as say, legs on Monday, back and triceps on Wednesday, chest and biceps on Friday. Try a yoga or pilates class to stretch, tone and relax. Kick boxing may make you feel more self confident and get rid of pent up aggressions. I understand spinning is very invigorating but for some reason being screamed at by an instructor to pedal faster just doesn't appeal to me, as it apparently does to a lot of people because those classes seem to fill quickly.