What Are Your Fitness Inspirations (WAYFI): The Gym

One of the first things I ever did to try and keep physically fit, was to join a gym. Just out of High School, most of my friends belonged to Bally's. Back then there were many incentives to signing up your friends, and I took advantage of this. Or should I say one of my friends took advantage of this? Actually, I really enjoyed it. Spending time with friends as we 'pumped iron' seemed invigorating. Of course we were still young and I can recall a couple of incidents were someone was 'pants-ed'. Oddly enough, I don't recall that ever happening to me. Either I was lucky, or I've blocked it out.

I'm not sure about anyone else, but there's nothing else like the physically fit high you get after a workout is done. The mind feels invigorated and the body feels rejuvenated. I still get this feeling when I work out. However, between my post High School years and my marriage years, I stopped going to the gym. As a result of that, (mixed with other factors), I gained the major portion of my weight. Having returned to the gym has helped me in reducing the size of my waste line. Sure, the weight isn't melting off as fast as I'd like it, but at least I'm not gaining more weight.

The Gym: Pros vs Cons:
Pros:
Working at the local gym helps to motivate me. Being around others who (at least in part) have the same goals as me helps. Also, everything is right there. When I'm done, I can sit in the hot tub or steam room. I can run on the track or use the weights. When I'm done, I can shower right there and be ready for whatever else the day has provided for me.
Cons:
When the gym isn't picked up or cleaned properly, the locker room can get nasty. Also, what's the deal with older guys walking around a la Garden of Eden? Though it's nice to have a shower room readily available, I'm certainly not one for sharing the experience with others. Another con I can think of is sometimes having to wait for a machine that's being used. As I normally use the track more than anything, this isn't usually a problem for me. But last night I used Foursquare to check into Blast Fitness and found this con listed.
Anon. - "This is a fitness gym, not a pick-up joint".
I hadn't realized this was a problem. Ladies, is this truly a problem for you?

So what are your pros and cons regarding working out at the gym? Let me know and I'll include your thoughts.

Reasons I'm Disappointed in My Fitness Gym

It was recently pointed out to me I'm not spending a lot of time at the gym. True, I've started a workout program at home, and have tried to carefully watch what I eat, but am I missing out by not attending the gym? If so, why am I not going? After much soul searching, I realized it wasn't the workouts I was actually steering clear from. The gym I go to is disgusting and I'm getting fed up with it. What's so disgusting about it? Glad you asked. Following are the top 5 reasons I've grown to hate visiting the gym.

1. Disgusting shower area.

After a hard workout, the last thing I want to worry about is the condition of the shower area. I'm tired, sore and dirty but I have to question the sanitary condition of the shower area when it always seems filthy (even in the morning), the shower heads looks disgusting, and large sections of tiling and wall removed, covered by plastic. What is this, Porky's? Disturbing.



2. People stealing your soap.

As much as I'd like to, I can't fault the gym when this happens. But the fact remains, it happens. The way my gym is set up, you have the locker room which leads into the shower area, which then branches into the pool area or the steam room. So if you bring your own soap, you must place it on a shelf and hang up your towel. Then you can visit the pool and/or steam room. Once you are done, with luck, your soap is still around. Mine has been swiped several times. Of course you have to bring your own soap because the gym is lax in making sure their slimy soap is well stocked. SCORE! - I guess I can blame the gym for this after all. Seriously though, are times so tough people have resorted to stealing soap? Next time I'm bringing an empty bottle of soap filled with something other than soap and see what happens.


3. Rusty & Unclean Lockers

"Holy Rusted Metal Batman. The metal, it's all rusted and full of holes." One of my favorite movie quotes helps explain what really irks me. I realize the lockers have been in the gym for 20+ years. I also realize how expensive it might be to replace them. But again, why should it stop me from complaining? The reality is even with no garbage inside the locker, when it's severely rusted, it SEEMS dirty and disgusting. But the fun doesn't stop there, because most members at the gym DO leave garbage behind. If it's not discarded deodorant, it's used Q-tips or paper toweling. It's certainly getting rougher and rougher to find a decent locker to use.



4. Ripped and stained carpet.

This is the reason workout mats were likely invented. Not to cushion the floor, but to keep the funk from the carpet away from us. Seriously, I can only imagine what these stains are. Additionally, are the stains so bad they can't be cleaned? Has the gym never heard of Rug Doctor, or even the funds to insure they own a carpet cleaning machine? If a drink were spilled or someone vomited on the wood floor, wouldn't it immediately be cleaned up? So what's wrong with immediately cleaning up something on the carpet. So very hard to imagine.



5. Several machines always out of order.

Nothing is so aggravating as having to wait several minutes for a machine. How does such a thing come about? It's not because the machine is dispensing gold bricks, but because there is a lack of available machines for use. This is probably the least problem I'm worried about because generally the gym has many machines on hand. Knowing ahead of time what isn't working helps to alter your workout plan. The most annoying problem comes when the machine is out of order for longer than a week. I know parts may be needed, I hope the problem isn't having to find someone to fix the machine. You would think there's a service contract or some maintenance person is readily available. Another petty gripe, I know. But who doesn't like to stoke the fire once it gets going?



Conclusion? It's not the actual working out I've been trying to avoid, it's the disgusting gym. It's hard to keep motivated when you are working out in a pit. Isn't there something the gym can do to improve? Or is this an inevitable reality I need to face? Well, if they want to keep me as a member, I'm hoping some of these things are addressed. Am I working out at the wrong place or is this typical of most places? I'm not looking to work out at the Ritz, but I'm also not looking to work out at the local dump.

What are your fitness gym horror stories?

Top 15 Ways To Tell You've Joined A Bad Gym

- You're personal trainer talks about healthy eating, then asks what you plan on making for dinner. No matter what you tell him he asks "Can you make that for two?"


- There is a sundae bar available after each work out.


- The exercise machines are limited and have 'take-a-number' on each.


- In order to enter the gym you have to step on a scale and your weight is broadcast to the entire gym.


- Equipment is rusty and machines have missing parts.


- The cleaning department consists solely of signs reading "Your mom doesn't work here".


- The gym is centrally located in the middle of a cemetery.


- Water from the drinking fountains is brownish and smells funny.


- Lockers aren't equipped for padlocks and are based on the honor system.


- There are more creepy men leering at each other in the locker room than in the actual gym.


- The swimming pool is filled with alligators. (Unless you live in the South, then it's normal).


- Fresh eggs, whole milk & goat cheese are standard methods of paying for membership dues.


- The only security cameras in the building are in the women's locker room.


- The fitness machines consist of 10 Bowflex, 10 Abflex, 5 Thigh Masters & 1 Vibrating Belt.


- There is a discussion group in the center of the gym where everyone talks about their feelings and cries when they gain weight.