This morning I tried the new, fancy gym. Since mine is under construction, we’re allowed to use this new fancy gym (even though my membership doesn’t normally allow it). It’s a bit of a drive from the house–but it will be much more convenient after work on the way home, so that’s a positive.
First up, breakfast. I’d picked up a sample pack of the Egg White Protein powder a few weeks ago. I decided to give it a try for a pre-workout breakfast.
I added some vanilla Greek Yogurt and water, then mixed it all in my Magic Bullet.
The verdict? Nasty.
DID NOT LIKE. At all. It tasted gross. The consistency was too liquidy. I am sticking with my Amazing Grass powders instead. I definitely won’t buy this product again. Yuck! Not only that, it wasn’t filling. I filled my water bottle with water and Glutamine supplements.
Then I hit the road. The new gym is huge. Parking was easy (plus), and everything was modern and up-to-date (plus). I did not see any “This Machine is Out of Order” signs like at my usual gym (annoying).
The cardio room on the main floor was huge. It had tons of different types of treadmills available, exercise bikes, stairmasters, and a few other machines I wasn’t quite sure how to use.
The other thing I loved? Staring out the big windows at the trees and river. It was a nice view.
The Spinning Bike looks rad. I really want to try that machine the next time I’m there! It’s completely computerized with an instructor and everything. Plus, I can hook up my ipod and listen to my own music.
I was able to find a treadmill without waiting and I hopped on for my 1.5 mile jog.
The treadmill was one I’d never seen before and it took me a few moments to get everything figured out. I still don’t know why there were handle bars above my head….Hmmm….
I had a great jog! I felt fantastic the entire time, I didn’t have any side cramps or pain in my leg. In fact, I zoned out and then looked down and saw that I’d jogged 1.48 miles…Wow! How time flies.
It took me 23 minutes to jog 1.5 miles. After that I explored the first floor a bit. The pool looked pretty nice. Then I went upstairs to do my weight training.
I have to admit, it was rather overwhelming. I felt like a fish out of water. All of the machines were different. These were high-tech machines…selecting the weight amount was challenging at first. Some of then machines had knobs to select the weights. Some were the regular type but labeled differently. I did my best to figure out each machine. It made the workout take a lot longer than normal.
Something else I noticed was that the machines used your whole body weight. Instead of sitting down and not moving anything but your arms to do the Lat Pull Down, you also did like crunches at the same time. Basically, the whole machine moved as I lifted weights. It was sort of odd at first, and took some getting used to. I wish I could have taken some video of it to describe these machines better.
I tried all of the machines out and then the second time around the room I got a much better work out. I knew what to do with each one and I knew what weight to use. I focused mostly on my upper body: shoulders, triceps, biceps, chest, back. I tried to fit in some ab workouts too, but the ab machines were way different than what I normally use.
It wasn’t very crowded. I didn’t have to wait to use any of the machines, so that was another plus. The new gym had motivational phrases around too:
Conquer Your Goals
Experience LIFE
I finished up my workout with using the medicine ball for the Russian Twist, and then the Row Machine. Lastly, I did my physical therapy for my IT Band.
The only downside to New Fancy Gym is there wasn’t really room to do stretching. I had to find a corner and make do. I did not like that aspect.
Gym Stats:
Time: 1:47
Calories Burned: 695
Activities: Treadmill, Weight lifting, strengthening exercises
All in all, it was a good experience. I liked more things than I disliked at the new gym. It’s only temporary but it gives me a pretty good idea of what my gym should be like after the remodel is over.
QUESTION: What are the pros and cons of your current gym?
Kristina @ spabettie
I completely agree about Jay Robb… I am a product junkie… especially with protein powders – I feel like I HAVE to try them all ! 😀
I’ve tried several of JR… icky gross. 🙁
Lisa Eirene
I’ve tried them all too. I love the Amazing Grass powders. I just add protein powder to them.
Rachel
I LOVE my “fancy” gym. I honestly can’t think of any cons to it because it’s still so new (opened in April) and because it’s a SuperSport Plus or something, it’s kinda spendy so it’s not overly crowded… I’ve never had trouble waiting for machines or anything, and I’ve gone at all hours of the day, including “peak hours” of 5-7pm.
Lisa Eirene
Spendy is a factor for me so that would be a “con” but yes the Super Sports are nice!
Lori (Finding Radiance)
I don’t care for egg white protein either. I think it has a weird salty taste to it.
My gym is very tiny. I both like that and don’t like that. No track. No classes. No doubles of any equipment (except cardio). It is only 2 miles from home, so that makes up for a lot.
Lisa Eirene
I used to belong to a small gym and it was good for what I wanted to do at the time.
Christi
I am going to have to google the protein powder thing, because I don’t know what to use it for or why. I like the gym I go to. Actually, my family belongs to the YMCA. So we get access to several different classes, cardio studio (with 3 or 4 of the same machines), free weights, weight machines, basketball courts, spinning room, walking track (indoor and out), raquetteball courts, swimming pool and lap pool. There ususally isn’t any waiting for the machines. It always seems like it is going to be very crowded when I pull into the parking lot, but it never seems that way once in the building. When I was looking to join a gym, I visited several and all wanted a membership fee of around $45 a month for just me. At the Y I only pay $66 for my entire family (all six of us) and they offer up to 2 hours per day per child nursery (included in the cost of the membership). Nursery is a HUGE deal if you have little kids. All the classes the my husband and I take and what the kids take are also included in the price. I think we get a great deal by going to the Y.
Lisa Eirene
I think with kids a community center or the Y is a great thing. There’s other kids, kid-centric classes and events.
Amy
Your transformation is epic!! I just found your site. Going to definitely be reading your posts.
Amy 🙂
Tiffany
I’m pretty sure I know which gym that is! 🙂 It’s the closest to my house but my membership doesn’t include it. Bummer. The gym I use is crap (dark, bad music, old broken machines), but it’s the easiest location for my morning workouts. It’s not exactly motivating to work out on bad equipment though!!
Emily
I really like Jay Robb normal protein powders, but HATE the egg white protein powders of his. Blech. I use the strawberry Jay Robb whey protein in all of my smoothies.
I love my gym, but a lot of times the cable machines are in use and it’s hard to wait for them if I’m in the middle of the circuit.
Carbzilla
I need to move near a gym like that! I’d LOVE that Spin machine! Maybe I should actually go to my gym and see if they happen to have one!