Going to the gym: a love/hate relationship.

[ski diva]

Anyone else have a love/hate relationship with going to the gym?

I work out quite a bit (when I'm not skiing, I go 5 times a week). Half an hour cardio, half an hour weights. I don't do classes -- don't like being tied in to someone else's schedule. And though I never enjoy it much while I'm there, I really like the way it makes me feel when I'm done.

Anyone else feel this way?

 

[ski now work later]

I belonged to gyms off and on from the mid-1980s until the late 1990s and never really liked it much. Then last summer in between my 2nd and 3rd season skiing, I didn't exercise much -- just went horseback riding about 2 times a month, which was hard as I fell out of shape after ski season.

Last November my first day out (Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend at Killington) I almost died of exhaustion skiing and vowed that I would not let myself get so out of shape this summer. I joined a gym a month ago and have been going 2x week (trying to get a 3rd visit in but work and child responsibilities get in the way). I'm doing cardio on the treadmill, lifting weights, taking yoga and pilates classes, and met a trainer who does ski training clinics in the Fall, which I plan to do.

I feel more focused now that I have a goal for going to the gym (staying strong for skiing) rather than just the staying in shape and trying to kee the weight off/look good thing. I bring my iPod or watch the tvs on the treadmills with headphones and the time flies by.

The hardest part about going to the gym is at the end of my work day when I'm tempted to come home and have to force myself to go there first. I prefer my weekend mornings at the gym when I'm more energetic.

The way I see it, we avoid the peak gym crowds (from November through February) 'cause we're out skiing. It's quieter in the Spring through Fall months.

It's all good.:o

 

[abc]

though I never enjoy it much while I'm there, I really like the way it makes me feel when I'm done.

Well, no...

Don't belong to a gym and haven't been for quite many years. Before that, I lived in a building that has a small gym, which I went a few times a week because it was so convineint. 15-20 min. each, and a quick shower following gelt really refreshing.

So, I guess I don't hate gym, I actually like it enough but I don't love it either. When I went, I enjoyed the work out. (there's something about sweating that only some can understand ;) ) And I liked what the work out did to me even more. :D

The only problem is finding the time to go. These days, I prefer to find exercise that can be done outside. Biking takes care of the cardio and leg strength. Kayaking works the upper body and back. And hiking? Well, that's just for fun & relaxing. ;)

I'm actually planning to join the gym at work to squeez in some pilate and a little bit of weight, maybe a couple times a week at lunch time. At least that's the plan. ;)

 

[joycemocha]

I don't go to the gym. I fell off this winter, though, due to some travel and time stuff (like writing a novel or two...) and am trying to get back into it.

I do ride horses pretty seriously year round, both English and Western. Lots of posting trot to prepare for ski season. I ride 3-4 times a week, pretty heavy-duty schooling session as I'm training my horse and we do a lot of canter and trot work, and will probably be ramping up into higher level reining training. I hope. Abs, abs, abs...and my legs are in pretty good shape, needless to say!

I'm getting back into an every other day Pilates and weight workout. Try to get aerobic work in. Would like to lose at least ten to fifteen pounds.

I started skiing last year when I was in what I considered to be the best shape of my life. Since I'm in my late 40s, I figured it was a now -or-never proposition, and now I'm hooked.

 

[Ski Spirit]

I also have a love/hate relationship with going to the gym. I used to go first thing every morning and do weights 3x/week and spinning class/cardio 3-4x/week. On week-ends at certain points I would go for 2 hrs/each day. So, I kind of burned out on the whole thing. Like spinning classes (especially ones with great music). At this point, I need to lose 10-15 pounds...so I need to get back to it. Started in-line skating so I hope that will help but am convinced I need to go back to a more regular work-out.

 

[RachelV]

I am all hate. I just can't make myself spend half an hour on a treadmill/elliptical machine/whatever staring at the clock when I could be out on a bike ride or something. I ski in the winter, bike in the summer. I definitely get a bit out of shape over the summer, as we don't bike as much or as seriously as we ski, but I'd much rather try to bike more than try to go to the gym.

Plus, gyms around here are eeeexpensive.

 

[Jilly]

Yeah I guess it's a love/hate relationship. I used to go to a "health club" in town. Aerobic classes etc. Got to the point where I couldn't make classes at their time schedule. So, I looked elsewhere. About 6 years ago I tried a women's gym, they're a franchise called Curves. Alot depends on your owner, but Elfie is great. We have all the equipment that is available and great staff for support. Last fall I mentioned that I needed to get into better shape for the ski season. Nikki looked up all extra things for me to do and in return I got her inline skating. So 2-3x a week for resistance training and cardio. Now that its summer I'm doing Dragon Boat Racing, so the core is getting quite a workout 2 x a week. Paddling is all core, not shoulders like people might think. Add some water skiing when it gets warm and the inline skating too, I think things will be good to go next fall. Now there is that 15 lbs that needs to come off - working on that too - Curves Challenge its called. 6 week "eating plan", can't call these things "diets" anymore. I know I lost 6 lbs just before ski season last fall, so with more determination I make that 15 total!

 

[Sheena]

When I go to the gym, I really enjoy it. Lately I just run on the tread mill and do some ab excersizes. I like taking classes, but it is had to make them consistantly. I got really into the BodyPump classes, and definitely made me feel a lot stronger. I took a class for three months prior to ski season and during ski season. The instructor I had included lots of squats and other quad exercizes and balance type-work. By the time I went to SLC in January my legs were REALLY strong, it made a big difference.

I would like to say that I would motivate myself to workout outdoors, but usually I won't, unless I am doing something like hiking or skiing.

Right now I am a member of a health club that is in this hotel right next to my office so I go on my lunch break. It is great, and helps beat that afternoon slump and keeps me energized til its time to leave the office.

 

[tcarey]

Well I definatley have a love hate relationship! I work in a gym and alot of times I just want to leave and not workout.I love training with my partner and that helps me get motivated.Being a personal trainer forces me to stay in shape.What kind of advertising would I be if I did not practice what I preach!

Terry

 

[ISki]

The gym & I are definitely love/hate but we are deeply committed. I blame my ski pants, my stretch ski pants.

 

[SnowHot]

I actually loved working out at the gym about 5 years ago and got a lot out of it until a after I got more active with mountain biking and golf in the summer.

I just prefer to be active doing the stuff I do than going to the gym now, though I still get a spin card from time to time to do spin classes.

Back when I really got excited about it, I was going at 5 AM when it was quiet and loved how it started my day.

 

[lozz]

I have a love hate relationship with the gym. I go infrequently, but have a cross trainer at home, and balance ball so I do exercise regularly at home and go to the gym for a change ocassionally. Its harder to get enthuasiatic and fit it into my learning schedule because by the time you get there, exercised and showered a couple of hours have past.

I should make more of an effort, but I think a long cycle ride at the weekend will help burn those calories