Fitness

TLDR version: I am going to win a bet with my husband to lose 20 lbs, and we joined an awesome gym. It’s better than your gym. (And way more expensive.) If you want to prove me wrong, you’ll have to read this long-ass journal. HA!

My hubby and I have a bet. Currently, we are about the same height and weight. My long term weight loss goal is higher than his, but we are starting out with one basic goal: the first one to hit 165 lbs wins. We have both enrolled in a 5k race on April 5th. If one of us hits 165 lbs on or before that date, we get to spend our Oregon tax return ($332) any way we like!

We also joined an AMAZING gym called Club Sport. This is not your typical Bally-Gold-24-Hour-LA-Fitness-First-Neighborhood-Ho-Hum-Gym. I’ve been a member of those before. *yawn* This is different. Allow me to explain how.

1. Fitness Trainers: There are fitness trainers crawling all over this place. And they don’t cost extra money. You can grab any available trainer off the floor to help you with pretty much anything. For example, I was sweating along on the treadmill today, and I ran out of water. A friendly trainer apparently noticed this, came over UNASKED, and handed me a cup of cold water. She chatted with me a bit about my goals (training for my first 5k), and she helped me tweak my training schedule. It was amazing.

2. Equipment: There is an absurd amount of fitness equipment available. And it’s all uber high-end stuff. The treadmills have iPod connectors, which let you play your music and videos using the huge built-in touch-screen monitor. They also have USB ports, which let you save your workout stats to any USB flash drive!

3. Classes and Facilities: They also have a ton of fitness classes, all of which are free for members. There is a 45-foot rock wall, and they will teach you how to climb and belay for free! They have a huge pool, and tons of racquetball, basketball, and tennis courts to choose from.

4. Locker Rooms: Towels are readily available and free. Lockers are roomy, and your locker is activated by your membership card — no need to BYO lock! There are hair dryers by each of a couple DOZEN sinks (at least in the women’s locker room). Plenty of showers and restroom stalls available, too. Oh, and the very best part is the jacuzzi (clothing optional).

Of course, all of this comes at a price. A couple’s membership is $160 a month, and covers two adults. Yeah, that’s really expensive. But there is NO contract, and NO automatic payments required. At the beginning of each month, I can walk my happy ass in there and write them a check. Or give them cash. Or hand them a credit card. That they will charge ONCE.

There is a $10 late fee if dues aren’t paid by the 5th, and your membership is automatically suspended if dues aren’t paid by the 10th. Now, most gyms know you aren’t going to attend regularly. That’s why they want your money even if you don’t show up. This gym has the balls to charge two or three times the average price, AND let you pay as you go.

But it’s awesome. And that’s why people never want to leave.