Sweating In the New Year
First Monday of the new year I purposed to go back to the gym regularly. I have never been a gym rat, but when my gym was just across the street it was a good deal easier to get into the habit of working out over lunchtime.
I don’t enjoy exercise, with the exception of cycling. I do love to ride my bike, and can be found doing just that when the weather gets somewhat agreeable. Toward the end of 2008 I was not able to saddle up and spin very much, and now I fear I have lost enough of my cycling mojo that a nice 44 mile round trip to work and back would do me in. In addition, last year saw a good deal of stress. I manage stress in a number of ways, none of them particularly healthy, but it is mostly by taking out my festering rage upon unsuspecting Cheetos, Ho Hos and Little Debbie, the Milwaukee’s Best of snack cakes. I am going to be 44 this year, and I can’t expect to continue indefinitely on this trajectory.
Today was the day, and I did get all my crap together for a good workout. I go to Club Fitness in St. Charles, a short drive across the river from Earth City. The facility is well-lit and the staff are friendly and willing to ask questions, but will largely leave you alone. I think I pay less than 20 bucks a month.
I used a machine that resembles an elliptical, but it is more of a combination of an elliptical and stair climber. It offers very little impact on the old knees and ankles, and for the first 20 pounds I think I’ll focus on that. I plan to do cardio Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to include lengthy rides on the stationary bike. One of the things I really appreciate about my gym is that you can watch television as you workout. Each major workout unit, treadmill, stair climber, bike etc. have their own screen and audio jack. As long as you remember to bring your headphones, you are good to go. It does take away some the tedium. If you are looking for a gym, I recommend you weigh this feature heavily.
Tuesdays and Thursdays I’ll do weights. That thing that looks like a Pilate’s ball fused to a manhole cover is a Bosu ball (see video below). I had a friend show me a few exercises with it, namely standing on the damn thing while lifting freeweights. Working to keep your balance and going through the repetition is supposed to improve your balance and work your core muscles. I can tell you that it is pretty tough, and just staying balanced is a tidy workout for the legs in and of itself. I confess to being a genuine klutz, so almost anything would be an improvement. Stay tuned and I’ll tell you how it is going.
