Saturday, February 13, 2010

A First Date

I've been a member of New York Sports Club for a little over 5 years. The club is okay, quite expensive compared to non-NYC clubs but not bad for clubs in the city, but my main reason for joining NYSC was convenience. When I joined, the club was two blocks away from my apartment, a necessity when I was just starting to get myself up before work to workout. Now, it's still only 5 blocks away, so still very close. Woody joined as soon as he moved out here and we've been going together ever since. Our main gripes about the club is the lack of cleanliness, a fairly high number of machines out of order on a regular basis, unkept weight areas, and over crowding. It is convenient, there are many locations around the city, and a fairly large number of classes to take, if we're interested. Our gym was recently renovated, so it is better than it was, I admit.

So, last year a new apartment building went up on 2nd Ave right between our place and the gym. The building houses a new Equinox gym. If you're not familiar with Equinox, it's supposed to be one of the best sports clubs. At least around here. We know the prices are high so we couldn't afford to switch gyms. Fast forward a bit and we got a letter in our mailbox for a free 3-day trial. We've seen these before but decided to take advantage of it over this long 3-day weekend (well, for Woody anyway) so we could really use it and not be rushed to get to work or anywhere else.

Here's what I think after our first workout at Equinox:
Very, very clean. Well built, designed and maintained. Great music choices. Lots of stairs in this location, but it's the same at NYSC. Really nice, large locker rooms with computerized locks on the lockers so you don't have to bring your own. Nice, new and frequently updated cardio equipment. Clean equipment. I don't like how the machines don't have their own TV's and there are several flat screen TVs instead for many of them. I like having control over what I watch or listen to. Lots of room between machines - cardio and weights. Woody didn't like the flow between weight machines, he thought they were in an odd and unnatural order. The weights were very tidy - definitely didn't have to go searching for anything. Stretching area was clean and large. There were a good number of people working out but it didn't seem overly crowded and there were always a few cardio machines empty. Over 100 fitness classes per week at this location (nice) with a spinning studio with new equipment even though they've been open less than a year. Nice big windows upstairs that look out over the street so it's very light and airy. The underground floors would feel more confined but probably not as busy. The personal trainers seemed very well informed, professional and effective.

Overall, I really enjoyed the workout and am looking forward to going back tomorrow and Monday. I hope to take a class and hopefully my workout will be a bit more efficient since I'll know the layout a bit better. A first date with a gym is always interesting - have to get a feel for the place! 

Unfortunately, even with the current special on the initiation fee, the monthly fee is still a bit too pricey for us, but maybe we'll be able to switch over one day. In general, I have some environmental issues with gyms in general, but I also find them to be a necessity for me and many other people to stay (or become) fit, so I can't judge them too harshly. I wish there was a way to have an environmentally friendly gym. Hmmm. Business idea!

After the gym I came home to coffee and this filling and nutritious meal -
banana, peanut butter and kiwi oats!
Tomorrow we're going out for brunch to celebrate Valentine's Day! After we hit the gym, of course!

Are you a member of a gym? What do you like most and least about it? How are you celebrating Valentine's Day?

Happy Saturday!

16 comments:

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Hi, I am visiting from SITS.
Happy Saturday to you.
No I do not belong to a gym :(
Atually I have asthma. So my husband travel and got home early yesterday, did a nice lunch and went to se Up In The Air. We don't go out on THE day, he can't handle the crowds. Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I'm back. I am a follower of the Sphor Family. Came in contact with them the first week I started my blog. Actually my second blog For Your Tears was actually a part of why I started the ministry. Isn't Annie adorable? I just wanted to share that with you. God Bless.

freckletree said...

happy saturday sits share thingy!

yes, i am a member of a gym.

what i like LEAST is that i haven't been since i joined in november.

what i like BEST is that it is VERY inexpensive so i'm not wasting *that* much money. let's face it, i'm too lazy to drive two minutes down the street to cancel the membership.

enjoy your delicious valentine brekky/workout tomorrow!

Karen said...

Kiwi in oats. Interesting! I might have to give that a try.

I belong to Lifetime Fitness here in Atlanta. I love that even though the parking lot is jammed with cars, it never feels crowded inside. I also love that I never have to wait for a machine, it is uber clean and they provide towels for working out and showering.

Julie said...

Hi Lisa,
Your club sounds great!! I am a person who needs a clean and updated gym to workout in! May you have many fun filled future workouts there:)

I really do like everything about my club....the only bummer is when it gets crowded. I need my space and can get easily annoyed if someone gets in my personal area.

Have a great weekend Lisa!!

Oh, and congrats on winning the skirt give away!!

Jen Cole said...

No gym for us...we go back and forth with joining IM on campus.

We had banana, peanut butter, and apple oats for breakfast!

Jocelyn said...

Sigh, both of those sounds great...I would love to have a nicer gym. I go to Planet Fitness. 10 bucks a month. I get what i pay for but all i really need is a treadmill. Still I would like a gym that gives towels.

Unknown said...

thanks for your encouragement on my blog..it is new for me (i have had my other one for a while)! I am excited to read more of your blog :) Oh and i have never thought of putting pb, banana and kiwi together...i will have to try that!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

I am not a member of a gym.. but I have heard that you can negotiate the fee. I wonder if you could talk to a sales person and let them know what you can pay. You could ask the question, all they can say is no.

We celebrated Valentines yesterday, tomorrow we will just relax and be togehter.

Crissa Pollmann Robertson said...

OOO! I love banana and peanut butter anything. I never thought to add kiwi to my oatmeal too. Looks yummy!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Thomas Tan said...

My family and I are members at our local YMCA; we love it there because it is so kids friendly and it offers great summer camps. The banana/peanut butter/kiwi oats breakfast looks delish, will have to try it myself.

Have a great brunch and Valentine celebration with Woody!

Susan said...

We used to belong to the Y here, but it just became a hassle for us to go, so we quit. Now, we run outside and use free weights at home. It's what works for us. I do miss the classes, but have become used to doing things myself. But, given that it would be convenient for us to belong, we'd go back, for sure. Valentine's plans? Ran my half this morning and now I'm recovering on the sofa! Enjoy the day!

Jenn said...

The gym I work out in is awesome. A local factory donated the money for the gym with the stipulation that there would be no charge for people living in our city and children under 7th grade were not allowed. It really is a beautiful facility and almost everyone that uses it cherishes the fact that we don't have to pay a dime so it's well respected. Hope you have a great Valentine's Day!!

J said...

I really like my gym, its clean, lots of machines and good classes. I usually work out in the morning and shower there which helps me get to work on time! I also like my gym because its women only! I never would have thought I would have liked that but its nice because then there aren't men hogging all the weight equipment and such! Plus we have a lot of machines that are made for women!

Jennifer said...

Enjoyed Reading your blog! I am from NYC and now live in southern Mississippi, But still have all my family there so I visit regularly. I work at a university, so I use the fitness center there. It's real nice, can get crowded at certain hours, the pool is never too crowded and the showers are super. The only thing that can be distracting is when I run into one of my students. Have a great week!

Robyn said...

I'm pretty sure you're my neighbor and that new Equinox looks so nice!