In November, I joined the local Sport & Health fitness center. At first I was pretty pumped about it. While it couldn't hold a candle to the last gym I belonged to, it was decent, and definitely bigger than the itsy-bitsy facility they have here in Dominion Valley. However, after a month of regular attendance, and having tried almost every AM group fitness class they offered, I decided to quit. Why? All but their spin class left me disappointed. The instructors (and I have to point out that most of the AM classes are taught by the same woman) seemed brand new. The choreography was lame, and the cueing was bad.
Seriously, this is how kickboxing went,
"jab 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 1"
"cross 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1"
"hook 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1"
OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!
Uggh, have you heard of a combination?
Anyway, it dawned on me that I was spending almost $50 a month on this place, when I had a free fitness membership at our community club. Don't get me wrong, I had toured this little facility prior to joining Sport & Health, and found it way lacking. But, if both are going to suck, why pay extra? Free-suckiness is better than $50-suckiness.
Which brings me to the last 3 weeks at the Dominion Valley Country Club Fitness Center.
Describing the cardio area and weight-training area is pointless, since I really am there for the group fitness classes. But, I will tell you its SMALL. I guess I always imagined country clubs to be large and luxurious.
At any rate, let's get to the classes. They are conducted in a teeny-tiny room, but thankfully they do have mirrors on the wall, and a decent hard-wood floor. So far, here's the classes I've tried and my take on them:
Spin: Only 6 spin bikes total. Get there early, or get out! The music is played on a toddler-sized boom box (yes, they still make them I guess). The instructor seems knowledgable, and I liked her personality. Unfortunately, the class lacked energy big-time. No hoots, hollers - nothing to inspire me. Even a raised voice from the instructor would have been welcome. (Oh, how I miss you, Hazel!)
Jazzercise: Held in a basketball court. No mirrors (a major negative in my opinion). This class is not included in the fitness membership. You pay extra! (let's not even get me started about that) I've tried this with 2 different women. While I was surprised to see how modern it felt, I was disappointed in how stationary the movements were. Really - the dancing is pretty much done in place. You might grapevine a few steps left or right, but there's little movement around the room. I guess if the instructor can teach the class on a little stage the size of my son's bed, you know you'll be pretty much staying put. (I miss you Omar!!)
Circuit Blitz: This was a challenging class that was sort of like a boot-camp class. Circuits were set up around the room, and the instructor timed our exercises at each one. It included both strength and cardio exercises. Each of us went around the room and did the circuits while the instructor pushed. I thought this was a good class. She had energy, pushed hard and corrected form. My right tricep hurt like a mother for a good 5 days after this class.
Some toning class I can't remember the name of: This was very similar to the above class, but not timed. The instructor counted reps. We used interesting tools - the little fabric disks that I hated using with my trainer in NYC, and these things that reminded me of numb-chucks to work the arms. A decent class. Not much energy though.
And finally, today's class, Tabata: It was a full house for this event, with a whopping 10 people or so! A Tabata workout is an interval training cycle of 20 seconds of maximum intensity exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated without pause 8 times for a total of four minutes. Exercises included strength and cardio. It was challenging, but didn't instill the nausea I might have expected. (Shannon, you still take the cake for that) The instructor was pretty good too. She had energy and really moved around the room trying to motivate us. I liked that. The Tabata class is not a regular item on the schedule. You see, every Friday is something different.
I heard lots of this morning's participants saying they would like to see Tabata every Friday.
Me? No thanks. Honestly, this class feels very much like all of the other circuit classes offered every morning at this gym. And I'm sorry, but I find it boring. I want variety. I want excitement. I want something else...like kickboxing, or latin-dancing (zumba), or yoga. Oh how BTS classes would make me deliriously happy! A circuit class once a week is great, but not every day.
A new guy is managing the facility now, so everyone seems hopeful for some changes. (I vote for adding protein shakes for sale) Let's hope he comes though.
And who do I have to talk to about the $5 charge for dropping my kid off at child care?
Seriously, aren't we already paying for a membership? (well, in my case, not yet, but someday)
Any other gym includes childcare in the membership.
Okay, I think I've done enough complaining. On the bright side, this gym is small enough to know everyone who works there and attends. So, I'm sure to see my friendly neighbors on a regular basis. The locker room is nice. They offer towels. (not many are doing that anymore)
Can't say I've seen a single meathead, or chicka in a pair of shorty-shorts. Guess the guys might see that as a negative!
I am hoping this place works out. If it doesn't, well, maybe I have to buck up some cash and open my own gym! God knows I have enough friends in the fitness industry to give me some good advice.
Stay tuned...
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