| Written by Doug Gibson, on 02-06-2008 12:30 |
Sensible Fitness: Which Gym is Right for You?
Our fitness guru reviews the pros and cons of big-name gyms, ”fitness boutiques” and women-only fitness clubs.
I took it upon myself for the Boutiques edition of Cincy Chic to take a look at the various fitness boutiques that are scattered throughout Cincinnati and throw in my two cents on them. On my TV program, “Sensible Fitness," many women ask what makes a personal training center different from a gym or a “ladies only” center, so this is the perfect time to do some comparisons.
First let’s look at the major health clubs. They usually have the benefit of a great deal of variety with their equipment and group classes. I think this is a major plus because doing the same exercises on the same equipment leads to plateaus and limited results. The downside for many is that they may be crowded and can also be very intimidating, especially if you are self conscious about being out of shape. Personal training is offered at most clubs, but traditionally the trainer makes a very small wage, which means you are getting a trainer with limited education and experience. A superior trainer will not work for $18 an hour.
Next, there are many variations of franchised fitness centers for women, such as Curves. Fitness centers that are for women only offer an inviting and non-intimidating environment. With no men allowed, who cares about primping for the workout? Pull your hair up in a pony-tail and go! These centers are appealing for new exercisers who will see good results in the beginning. However, because their protocols revolve around every person performing the same exact exercises every time, long-term or better than average results will be limited as plateaus are quickly reached. A women’s fitness center that offers a large variety of machines and free weights are a better choice in my opinion.
Recently, personal training centers have become a dime a dozen. When I started Sensible Fitness more than 12 years ago, there were very few centers. A true personal training center does not offer open gym memberships, but instead only allows you to workout with a trainer. There should not be any membership fees; you only pay for time with the trainer. Generally, this is more of an intimate setting with limited people in the facility. The downside to most personal training centers is their size. Many are small and have very limited equipment, which means limited exercises and limited results. Another concern would be the assembly line approach that some utilize, where everybody does the same workout. Remember it is not personal training unless the program is directly supervised and recorded by a trainer, while being customized to you, your goals and any medical conditions or aches and pains you may have.
There truly is something for everyone when it comes to the type of facility you desire, and you can combine facilities if you want the best of both worlds. Many of my clients belong to a major health club and go there for most workouts but also visit Sensible Fitness once a week for the accountability and education of a trainer. This gives you a quick glance at your options for fitness, now comes the hard part…actually making it to the facility or your choice on a consistent basis!
PHOTO CREDITS:
Photo: Curves
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