Thursday, June 17, 2010

Zumba, here I come!

A few months ago, in a weak moment, I let Mike convince me to cancel my gym membership. I knew this was going to be a mistake, but I tried to tell myself I would walk outside during the summer and use my resistance bands and dumbbells that I have at home. He argued that I hadn't been there in a while, which was true, but I had also had a rough pregnancy and was still recovering from a c-section.

Summer started out ok. If you read my first few posts, you can see how I was all gung-ho about doing the Couch to 5k program and some crazy 200 squats program. I do plan to revisit these things someday, but my body was just not ready for it. Walking became my main exercise (nothing wrong with that). Then, things got busy, like they do. Upon arriving home from work, instead of exercising, I would get distracted with chores and laundry and things like that. To sum it up, working out at home is not working.

Here we are a few months and minus 40 pounds later, and I'm really feeling the need to move and sweat. I want to do some bench presses and skull crushers and zone out on the elliptical for an hour. So, I put my foot down and said I was rejoining a gym. Luckily, the man knows what is good for him and didn't give me crap. I love him.


I stopped at my old gym on the way home from work, and the guy was awesome enough to give me my old rate ($20/month = cheap) with zero sign up fee. I could have kissed him! What's even better? Free group fitness including ZUMBA!!!!!! I'm so freaking excited for this! My mom has been raving about Zumba forever, and then I've been reading about all you guys going, and I knew I had to try it.

I just have to tell you... I went to take a tour of a Planet Fitness gym that just opened, and what a bizarro fucking place THAT is. Their whole thing is how they don't cater to bodybuilders and powerlifters, as if there is something wrong with doing either of those things. Especially the powerlifting, like they are going to kick me out if I whip off a clean and jerk up in there!?!? The best part is, they have this flashing light and horn that they set off if they catch anyone grunting or dropping weights or being generally annoying. And here I'm thinking, what if I let out a little grunt when I go for a heavy bench press or bicep curl? Are you going to blow your air horn at me? Really? No thank you. I do agree the dropping weights thing is annoying, but I always figured that crap goes with the territory. Maybe it's because I used to be a gymrat back in the day. Gym rats unite!

Word.

6 comments:

Steph said...

The beep a freakin' horn and flash lights? How douchey is that? I love my gym and just started with a trainer yesterday. Still doing the cardio 6 times a week, but the trainer will help me do the weights that I am too lazy to try on my own. I need someone to crack the whip over me!! Good to hear you got your way and for me, my gym time has become my "me time".

-Grace- said...

Well, Planet Fitness sounds positively douche-tastic.

Word.


What gym did you join? That is super cheap!!!

Fiona said...

mmm I havent visited the gym in a week or more, you have made me feel like getting back there. Especially as I pay for full membership. How weird is Planet Fitness?????
Let us know about Zumba I am trying to pluck up the courage to go.

Jenny said...

OMG. I would almost do it just to see what happens!

Joey said...

Was there anyone working out? Sounds so unappealing.

Maria said...

Grace -- I belong to Anytime Fitness. I love it because it never ever gets busy, so I practically have the place to myself after work.

Joey -- there were tons of people working out on cardio machines, but only a few doing weights. I guess they are all afraid! LOL!