...ok, I include myself....I go to the new mini-gym. It's marketed to my exact demo (women 23-45, moms, kinda wussy but trying). So sue me.
But I have to vent for a second....
It's a *circuit* training gym. The whole idea is that you spend one minute on each machine, in a specific order, so that you can get out in 30 minutes.
If you hog a certain machine for 5 minutes, jump out of order with no regard to the rest of us or let your kids play on the machines it kinda fucks up our shit. Seriously, they walk you through the whole routine before you sign the membership deal. It's designed to be simple enough for a mouth-breather to figure out.
I picked this McDonald's-of-fitness approach precisely because I need it to be brainless and quick. You're ruining it for me.
Don't be an eejit. Follow the rules so we can get it over with. Stop wasting my time.
But I have to vent for a second....
It's a *circuit* training gym. The whole idea is that you spend one minute on each machine, in a specific order, so that you can get out in 30 minutes.
If you hog a certain machine for 5 minutes, jump out of order with no regard to the rest of us or let your kids play on the machines it kinda fucks up our shit. Seriously, they walk you through the whole routine before you sign the membership deal. It's designed to be simple enough for a mouth-breather to figure out.
I picked this McDonald's-of-fitness approach precisely because I need it to be brainless and quick. You're ruining it for me.
Don't be an eejit. Follow the rules so we can get it over with. Stop wasting my time.
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Thu, November 15, 2007 - 12:55 AMYeah, stop wasting her time!
Precisely why I avoid that scene, and I could really use it.
Heard too many horror stories...
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Thu, November 15, 2007 - 4:08 PMwere are the employees! they should be refereeing.
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Thu, November 15, 2007 - 5:27 PMI have some circuit training I can run you through... It starts in the kitchen with the arms and then the bathroom tub cleaning which is squats and back and then vacuuming which is arms and back and then a brisk walk to the grocery store for legs and back...I could go on... I am a very good circuit trainer... ;-) -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Thu, November 15, 2007 - 6:18 PMcan you circuit train at my house? -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Thu, November 15, 2007 - 9:26 PMI'm trying to understand the concept of a machine-a-minute. So there's a room with thirty machines crammed in it? Is it a huge room? I didn't know there were thirty variations of exercise machines. Okay, elliptical, treadmill, um, stairmaster, err... what else is there? So you're supposed to time yourself for sixty seconds and then get the hell off the machine and jump to the next one? That sounds really stressful. I would certainly not label such an experience "Fit-Lite." Damn, maybe you should just jog or something! -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Sat, November 17, 2007 - 11:25 PMNo, you don't have the exact idea....and hear me out because *when you execute it as designed* it's pretty nice.
-You start off with 3-7 minutes of cardio (although some of the douchebags will sit on the cardio machines for longer even when people are waiting...a big no-no)
-You then rotate in a specific order through air-resistance machines, cardio (stair-steppers and bikes), weight machines and floor exercises.
It's a big room with the machines in order. There's a unisex single bathroom and a changing room. No showers.
The idea is that by only spending a minute at each station, working near capacity with each set, that you keep your heart rate up *and* get resistance work in. Best of both worlds.
In my experience, when I a) push myself, b) don't have fuckheads preventing me from easily going from station to station..necessary to keep to the 1-minute pace...it's actually a pretty good workout. It's very efficient (if kinda boring). I definitely notice better tone, strength, endurance since I've been doing it without the sore muscles/I-can't-walk feeling when I do hardcore weights. I'm doing this 5-6 times a week in the winter, so I can get in better shape for outrigger paddling shape.
I was paying $75/hr for a personal trainer. He was very nice and he gave me some good advice. But for less than one of those sessions, I get a month of convenient and reasonably effective exercise. I wish I had 90 minutes for Bikram, or actually worked up a sweat cleaning house....but in the meanwhile, this will do. -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Sun, November 18, 2007 - 7:42 AMOnce upon a time I belonged to CURVES - they have the same idea, although after a few months you top out, since their cardio is limited to little bouncing platforms you do between each piece of equipment. However one thing they do right is crowd management.
They have music running (different generes) and when it's time to change equipment, a programmed voice breaks in to say " please change your station". It sound corny, but it does work to get the dumbos moving on. I'm still amazed that the employees don't intervene, tho.
BTW, calling someone a douchebag is sexist, since it implies that feminine hygene is an inferior activity. There are plenty of non-sexist ways to insult the assholes.....;-) -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Sun, November 18, 2007 - 4:58 PMAh...I have heard varying things about Curves...including some rumor they were run by a born-again Christian group. *eww*
They do have this little chime that goes off each 60 seconds, but I wonder if some of the problem is that some people have their iPods on and don't hear it. I don't blame the iPod use since the music they play is fairly dull club music.
The employees are nice, but maybe they're afraid to be seen as confrontational...dunno.
I suppose we'll have to beg to differ about the ..ist thing. I dunno, To each their own, I suppose. Do women get a pass as a member of the oppressed group? Is calling someone a dick sexist too? People use that word all the time...to the point that it no longer gets the strength of my negative emotion across. Ergh..never mind, I'm just being a devil's advocate and have spent WAY too much time deconstructing the use of offensive words in college. Nevermind and sorry.
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Tue, November 20, 2007 - 11:14 AMspeaking of bikram yoga - anyone know where the closest bikram style yoga place is in or near alameda?
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Sat, December 8, 2007 - 6:46 PMjumping jacks, then push ups, running in place, squat thrusts, then repeat a few times for free anywhere
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Fri, November 23, 2007 - 10:14 AM
NOTE: This might sound a whole bunch like and advertisement, so if that offends you, please don't take the time to read it...
My name is Margo Rose and I've been a group fitness instructor and personal trainer for over 6 years now, and I know it is really a challenge to stay fit and active when most people are so busy with various responsibilities and often injuries. I really am trying to help people enjoy their bodies and quality of life more. Options are good...
I run a personal training studio for women here in Alameda. Beachfront, panoranic view, excellent clean equiptment, comfortable carpet for floorwork, your choice of music and my pet bunnies (Mo and Jo) hopping around checking out our sessions. I do indooor-outdoor circuit training, strength training, yoga, goofy dance aerobics, adult hoola hooping (great for abs) and various forms or boxing and kickboxing drills with gloves/bag etc. I can accomodate up to 4 women at a time in my studio, which is fun and makes things cheaper per person. If you are curious, my website is:
(www.functionalfitness4you.com)
Back when I was first getting started in the fitness industry, I worked teaching pilates/yoga and low-impact aerobics at 24-Hour Fitness in Oakland. At their staff meeting they literally say that their professional goal is to be 'the McDonald's of fitness" which obviously has many pluses and minuses. I'm sorry you have been frustrated by trying to use the new facility at South Shore. It takes a lot of motivation and scheduling, especially for a Mom to GET to a workout, so to have it not go as you want is a big deal. You feelings make plenty of sense.
In order to better advise my clients who might be considering the new Fit-Lite workout, I went to check out how they present themselves and try out the equiptment. Overall they do have a pretty good program and offer quite a bit for the money. On my body, I noticed that some pieces of equiptment felt very safe and effective, others...not so much. I can understand why some clients might want to skip around or stay on a favorite machine longer than one minute--for variety, in order to 'body sculpt' or to care for an injury. If there is any chance at all you can try to workout when it is less crowded, you might do better. Realistically, the staff is unlikely to be patrolling the equiptment and intervening every time folks are personalizing the routine to better suit themselves. Be aware that when the "resolutioners" hit the gyms on January 2nd things are likely to be really packed (for about 5 weeks). The wider range of ways you know how to get a workout the better, especially having a foundation of about 15-20 minutes that you can do at home (or wherever).
Again, I apologize if this posting is offensively self-promotional. My motivations are really very caring. -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Fri, November 23, 2007 - 7:53 PMit doesn't sound like advertising to me per se. It's relevant to the topic and you gave some helpful advice on the gym being discussed. I loved going to a personal trainer/pilates/massage studio in Oakland, but it was quite too expensive. Perhaps at another point I'll be interested, esp since it's in Alameda......
thanks! -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Sat, November 24, 2007 - 8:21 AMBirdie,
I'll be glad to go by Fit-Lite again sometime this weekend with your specific complaints in mind and write back with a few suggestions of moves you can add to your workout when you are stuck behind some "eejit". You seem like a very fun and feisty woman, and maybe other readers of this thread could benefit as well. -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Sun, November 25, 2007 - 8:48 AMHi,
Margo again. I went by the Fit Lite yesterday (Sat.) in the mid-morning and it was completely empty. A few hours later it only had a few folks working out...so apparently weekend days are not their 'peak time'. Practically no on exercises at gyms on Sundays, by the way.
It is pretty difficult to find space for improvised activitiy there since the equiptment is so close together, presumably so people can hop from one piece to the next and still get their minute worth of exercise.
The two open spaces are: the middle of the room, is you don't mind being...well...in the middle of the room and the way back wall, so long as you are close to that part of your circuit.
For the middle of the room, a great full body toning move (especially for the postural muscles of the upper back.) that also works on balance is a "standing 'T'" from yoga. It is part of the Birkam series and there are a variety of possible modifications. Basically you want to stand up very tall with your abs 'active' (belly button reaching towards the spine). One foot touches behind you then while keeping your whole body fairly straight the back foot lifts off the floor as far as you are comfortable. Ideally, one's body ends up parallel to the floor (other than the standing leg) and you end up shaped like a "T", hence the name. Arms can be by your sides for a tricep focus, out like an airplane for an emphasis on the back of the shoulders and reaching forward next to your ears for more middle back. I like to hold the pose for, maybe 5 long breathes in each of those three positions which is a modification I call "the three 'T's".
That available space on the back wall (or any wall in 'real life') is great for wall squats (either moving, or as I prefer an isometric--static hold) Put your back on the wall, walk your feet 2-3 feet out in front of you then slide down the wall until you feel your thighs working. Hold for a few deep breathes...up to 30 seconds or a full minute if you are a tuff girl. Make certain that your knees do not move any further forward than your ankles (you should be able to see your feet if you bend forward and look down)
If you stand up and turn around it makes a great little mini-routine to do wall push ups. Stand maybe 2-3 feet away from the wall, make your body firm with active abs and find which arm positions make for a comfortable push-up move. Try 5 moving wall push-ups then add a static hold with your face really close to the wall for a slow count of 5 deep breathes.
Anyhow Birdie, good luck enjoying your workouts and getting the most out of the time/opportunity you have set aside for yourself as personal care. Hope you have fun on your paddling trip. -
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Re: open letter to all the douchebags at fit-lite
Fri, November 30, 2007 - 11:21 AMI've been fortunate enought to only go during off-peak hours. I HAVE seen similar problems at the full fledged gyms where people will be on a cardio machine for 1-2 hours when people are waiting. My mom and girlfriend have similar complaints about people hogging machines for waaaay over the alotted time.
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