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Tips on Choosing a Gym

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Now that the weather is getting colder, it's harder to motivate to exercise outdoors. That's where the gym comes in. So many health clubs offer great new rates for the fall, so if you're looking to join, now is a great time. How do you choose a gym? These tips should help you.

Consider location. If it's more than a 10-minute walk or car ride from your home or office, chances are you'll be less motivated to go.
Cost is a big deal too. Call around to see what deals are being offered and what the price includes. You may have to pay extra for classes, parking, use of the pool or sauna, or for a consultation with a trainer. Monthly fees are usually around $25-75. Some gyms require you to pay a sign-up fee too.
Find out when the gym is open. If you can only go at 6 am, but the gym opens at 6:30, then that's not going to work. Check the weekend hours too, since some gyms close early on Sundays. Also, some gyms are open 24 hours a day, but you may be paying extra for that and it won't matter if you're never going to go past 10pm at night.
Figure out what you like to do, whether it be using the treadmill, swimming, lifting weights or taking classes. Go with the gym that has the most of what you like.

Want to hear the rest? Then read more

Check for cleanliness. The equipment, bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms should be well-taken care of.
Visit the the gym during times when you're planning on going, to see what's available. You shouldn't have to wait on line for your favorite machine or be shut out of a Pilates class because there's not enough room.
How about the staff? Are they friendly and helpful? Do they go out of their way to show you around and introduce you to people? Also, they should be trained in first-aid and CPR, so check on that.
Do they have personal trainers? Do you get to meet with one for a free session when you sign up? If not, how much are sessions?
Most gyms offer day passes, so take advantage of these. Check out all the gyms in your area to see which one feels the most comfortable to you.

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Fittingly Mad: The Gym is NOT a Bar

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I'm annoyed. No, I'm pissed actually. I go to the gym to workout. I go during my lunch break, and I don't have a ton of time to dilly dally or lolly gag. When I go to the gym, I mean business, so excuse me if I don't have time to chit chat.

Well it's not that I don't want to make conversation or be social, I just cannot stand guys that try to pick girls up at the gym. I have been a "victim" a few times, and I have to say I'm slightly flattered, but mostly ticked off. Some guys are just such idiots. They see a woman in spandex, and they immediately think the woman wants to go on a date. News flash sweaty guys at the gym -- not all women want to be picked up. I may be wearing a sports bra, but last time I checked it didn't say "Please hit on me."

It actually makes me not that psyched to go to the gym, which is not cool at all. Exercising is such a huge part of my life. I need it for so many reasons, and I shouldn't be discouraged from going because of a few obnoxious guys. I don't want to seem like a b*tch when all I really want to do is workout and get out of there. Can any of you ladies relate?

There is something that makes me feel a little better. To find out what it is read more

On a side note, this aggravating situation totally reminds me of The Inappropriate Yoga Guy my friend GiggleSugar told me about. Whenever an annoying guy tries to talk to me while working out, I just think of this and it makes me laugh out loud.

Stork Craft Recalls 2.1 Million Cribs in Largest Crib Recall Ever

babysugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:37:40 -0800

A couple of years ago, it seemed like toy recalls were being announced daily for choking or lead poisoning hazards. This holiday season, parents are being hit with major baby gear recalls. First Maclaren issued a voluntary notification that its hinges could hurt small fingers if a child's hands were holding on to the sides of a stroller during the opening or closing of it. Today, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) is issuing another statement regarding faulty baby equipment.

Canadian crib maker Stork Craft is set to recall more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs. If the drop-side becomes broken or detaches, it can cause children to fall out of the crib or suffocate. In a statement issued by CPSC and Health Canada:

The CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side.

Major retailers in the United States and Canada sold the recalled cribs including BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400.

For more information on the recall, visit the CPSC site.

My Kind of Club: East Bank Club

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Chicago has so many great things to offer from Navy Pier to Soldier Field, you get a lot out of this windy city (but not a Super Bowl win). From its famous deep dish pizza to its greasy bratwurst, Chicago is not exactly the picture of health.

However, that was before I discovered the East Bank Club. Membership to East Bank Club is more than just your average gym membership, it's like joining a super exclusive mecca to help shape your life. Every facet of the Club experience is met from the huge (20,000 sq. feet) cardio room, to the sophisticated and elegant feel to the salon and spa services, a complete Pro Shop, child care, a dry cleaners, a car wash and more. It's amazing that in a 450,000-square-foot mega-club, details do not go unnoticed.

One of the coolest parts about the club? The virtual bike rides with private televisions that display dozens of virtual courses that simulate outdoor bike rides. The bikes are equipped with handle bars that turn left and right, and you can even choose to compete against the person next to you. Log on to the web site afterward and you can gauge your progress or see if you made the leader board. How cool is that?

The price? Not cheap but not as steep as I had anticipated: There is a $500 enrollment fee and monthly fees range from $115 to $165. To check it out and learn more, visit The East Bank Club online.

Do You Use Your Gym Membership?

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:30:24 -0800

Signing up for a gym membership is one way to help you get in shape. The hardest part, though, is motivating yourself to actually go. So tell me . . .

Class Act: Cardio Theater

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:47:52 -0700

One way I beat boredom while doing cardio inside is to watch movies. I'll start one and watch about 30 minutes or more, and then the next time I work out, I'm excited to continue where I left off in the flick. I'm lucky to have a machine at home I can walk or run on, but if you don't, check out Cardio Theater. Fitworks health clubs offer a huge room with cardio machines in front of a 15-foot theater screen, so you feel like you're at the local cinema, not at the gym. You can watch movies, TV shows, or sports games, and it makes the time go by so fast. Cardio Theater is included in the price of the membership at their Cincinnati, Akron, Cleveland, Dayton, Ohio, and Northern Kentucky area clubs. If you don't live in these areas, I'm sure it'll be just a matter of time before other fitness clubs catch on. Tell me, would you want a Cardio Theater at your gym?

Would You Hire an Overweight Personal Trainer?

FitSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I read an article in the Washington Post recently that touches upon the issue of overweight trainers and its implications, inside and outside the gym. It seems that overweight trainers are faced with major criticism and have a harder time getting hired at gyms. The whole thing got me thinking about my gym and the fact that I have seen several overweight employees there. The visual skepticism of their ability as a trainer has definitely crossed my mind, good or bad, I have yet to decide.

I am curious how you guys feel about it -- Would you hire an overweight personal trainer?

Consider This When Joining a Gym

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Thinking about taking the plunge and joining a gym? Before you start shopping for a gym, be sure to consider these tips from CBC News.

Cooling off period: You may have up to 10 days to change your mind after signing a contract to join a fitness club.
Lifetime Membership: Are they trying to talk you into a lifetime membership? That is a bad sign they are fishing for members.
Monthly dues: Do you have the option to pay your fees monthly? Or is it all up front?
Location: If it's close to your home or job, you will be more likely to go.
Facilities: If you want to swim and there's no pool, you'll be wasting your money.
Programs: Does the centre offer fitness classes as well as weight and cardio machines?
Equipment: Are the machines clean, modern and in good working order?
Maintenance: Is the facility clean? Is there enough space between machines?
Track record: Has the club been in business for a long time?

10 Reasons Not to Do Yoga?

FitSugar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:30:00 -0700

September is National Yoga Month, and I'm sure you're expecting me to go on and on about the numerous health benefits of this sacred type of movement. I know if I do, there will be many of you who still refuse to step on a mat, and for those people, the Huffington Post brings us the top 10 reasons you should continue not to do yoga.

You enjoy looking 9 years older than you are.
You embrace those heavy metal toxins building up in your body as a bad-ass homage to your Kiss concert days.
Your marathon time is just fine the way it is.
You firmly believe that the junk in your trunk needs more company.
You hate yoga.

For the last five reasons keep reading

Keep the Bullies at Bay With These Tips

babysugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:02 -0700

We all know children can be lil angels, but there are bullies that like to add mischief to the mix. At some point, almost every child comes face to face with a bully. When that moment arrives, it is helpful to know some tips on dealing with the situation. Even better, give your child the advantage by talking about it before he encounters Mr. Bossy.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, children should take these steps when confronted with a bully:

Tell an adult: parent, teacher, coach or neighbor.
Stay in a group - there's security in numbers.
If it is safe, stand up to the bully.
If receiving written communication from him, don't reply.
Join clubs or make other friends where confidence can be gained and safety can be found.

To see what you can do if your child is the bully, read more.

While bullies tend to seem confident and strong, they are often the opposite. Ask them why they tease other children - does it make them feel better about themselves to put others down? Have them put themselves in the other child's shoes and discuss their emotions.

For further tips and videos to demonstrate acts of bullying, visit Stop Bullying Now!