Spin class, baby!

We have a regular bunch that goes to many of the same classes I go to. So, exercise time is with friends for the most part. And we have a really nice instructor that we enjoy "picking on" in a nice way, and he returns the favor. I wind up working my butt off just to maintain my reputation. *grin*

Before or after spin, I make myself do weights. Boo hiss. Occasionally I jog around the track or hit the elliptical or treadmill. I like watching the news channels when I do-I don't have cable.

I haven't had a gym membership in a few years, opting for yoga and dance classes. I still do those, but now that I'm getting older, it isn't enough! I'm thinking of joining a gym again, but I'm not sure it's right for me anymore. I hate treadmill/stationary bike stuff. It's so dull. Plus I already have a stationary bike at home for procrastination punishment. Hee. I like classes though. I dunno. Working out is so boring.

The gym that me and the mr. belong to also doesn't have mirrors or televisions, or music. (What's the point these days, when a bajillion people have mp3 players?) I love it. It's a community gym, like the Y, and it's full of everyday people. I go there and depending on whether it's a cardio day or not, do weights or run on the treadmill (now that it's colder, and my throat hates the cold) and I always look like ass by the time I'm done, but nobody looks askance.

I like spacing out, but given that I run up to an hour, I do get bored on the treadmill. I've just started to listen to podcasts on my long run of the week, and that's good.

A weakling, weighing ninety-eight pounds
Will get sand in his face when kicked...to the ground
And soon in the gym, with a determined chin
The sweat from his pores, as he works for his cause
Will make him glisten...and gleam
And with massage...and just a little bit of steam
He'll be pink and quite clean

He'll be a strong man, oh honey...
But the wrong man

He'll eat nutritious high protein and swallow raw eggs
Try to build up his shoulders, his chest, arm, and legs
Such an effort...if he only knew of my plan
In just seven days, I can make you a man

He'll do press-ups and chin-ups
Do the snatch, clean and jerk
He thinks dynamic tension
Must be hard work...

Such strenuous living
I just don't understand...
When in just seven days,
oh baby, I can make you a man!

I do my lifting at home these days, using the beginner's A and B workouts from Starting Strength.

I actually took a trip out to Long Island this afternoon to check out some equipment -- a squat rack, fold-up bench, maybe a power rack. Didn't buy anything, but I was happy with the squat rack and might buy it next weekend.

Just today I started working out at home with the beginner's A workout from Turbulence Training.

I haven't worked out since gym class the freshman year of high school.

I'm registered for a conditioning class next semester in the hopes that I will get over my fear of not knowing how to work out and i might actually feel healthy.

The best gym I ever went to was a really basic place, mostly weights, mostly guys, where the Irish owner chose the music, usually Thin Lizzy, but always rock. I like lifting weights to rock music.

My current gym lets you plug in your earphones on the cardio machines and have either a choice of music stations (mostly r 'n' b or hip-hop, none of them to my taste) or tune in to one of the large-screen TVs.

If I'm going for a treadmill session, I try and time it for the first or second half of a football (soccer) match which is 45 minutes and I set the treadmill timer on a fast walking pace with an increasing incline over that interval.

The music in the changing rooms is dire - 80s soft rock, and someone who works in the pool area likes Phil Collins. Maybe they're trying to make work for the lifeguards - I hear Phil Collins and drowning myself to make it stop somehow seems like a good idea.

Good for all the sweating bunnies! I usually do a half hour on the stationary bike we have, taking in Cash Cab or How it's Made or a cooking show while I pedal. Alternating days are weights and crunches. My weight/girth aren't changing much, but I have more energy when I'm a consistent worker outer.

Plus, Fat Season started at Halloween.

We belong to the YMCA. Our Y does have televisions, but the volume is turned down. I bring the iPod or space out if I can. Most of the time I'm agonizing and hoping the time will go faster -- the iPod helps with this. I prefer walking or jogging outside to treadmills or machines. My husband dislikes machines too, but I encourage him to get on because his blood pressure is creeping into the borderline zone. He prefers to play a sport. We'll do the treadmill then an hour of racquetball. Racquetball is a great workout, but not if you have me as your partner. I like classes too, but haven't been to one in a while. I also have a ton of workout DVD's that I like. I used to be a faithful DVD freak, now it's only sporadic. I need to be a freak again.

I have always worked out at home. For years I did aerobics and weight training with dumbbells to videotapes. I finally got kind of tired of that, and bought a treadmill (pointed at the tv/dvd player/vcr). I like the treadmill, but I've gained a few pounds over the last year, so I gotta get serious about the weights again.

Our gym has little TVs on every cardio machine, which is perfect- I can do an hour on the bike and watch America's Next Top Model! Huzzah!