FitSugar

Stop Hating the Gym and Start Loving It

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:43 -0800

If you are dreading moving your workouts indoors due to falling temperatures, let me help you learn to love, or at least tolerate, the gym. Here are some common reasons people hate hitting the gym, and solutions to help you overcome the hurdles.

I hate the gym because . . .	The solution
It's too expensive.	Go price hunting. There are so many different types of gyms that offer various services, so find one that fits your budget. Instead of paying $90 a month for a gym that has cardio machines, a weight room, classes, a pool, and a yoga studio, figure out what's most important to you and just pay for that. A gym down the street from me is only $10 a month for cardio and weight machines. Not bad at all.
It's too far away from my home.	If you can't find a gym close to where you live, try to find one close to where you work. That way you can head over on your lunch break or after work.
The cardio machines are boring.	Find a way to make them more enjoyable. I like to download audio books or podcasts onto my iPod. Listening really helps pass the time. Switching to different machines in one workout also helps beat boredom. Or try competing with a stranger.

To learn more ways to start loving the gym, keep reading.

8 Ways to Start Your Week Off Right

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:30:00 -0800

Though some of us like to do intense workouts on the weekends, for many people, Saturday and Sunday are a time for relaxing and getting out of your fitness routine. It's important to start off Monday on the right foot, so you're on the right track all week. Here are my suggestions for things you can do Sunday night to make sure you're back on track for a healthy Monday morning.

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Speak Up: What Are Your Gym Pet Peeves?

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:20 -0800

There are so many things I love about the gym. It's always perfect weather inside, there are so many challenging fitness classes to choose from, and of course, the pool is a huge plus. There are also some things I don't love, number one being that I can't stand it when impatient gym-goers stand near you like vultures, waiting for you to be done with equipment. How rude.

The complain department is open for business, so tell me, what things annoy you about the gym?

Have You Ever Dated Someone From the Gym?

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:30:49 -0700

One of my co-workers recently went out on a date with a guy she met after running a 12K. When he approached her, she was still in her running gear, bib number and all. He told her on their date that the reason he went up to her that day was because he was attracted to the fact that she seemed healthy and athletic.

My co-worker's story made me wonder if it was common to date someone you met while working out. It makes total sense to be attracted to people who share a similar lifestyle, but the whole approach seems like it could be incredibly awkward or invasive.

Have any of you ever dated someone you worked out with? If you've got any funny anecdotes, tips, or success stories, share those in the comments section too - I'd love to hear them!

10 New Workouts to Try

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:30:55 -0700

Going to the gym every day can feel monotonous. An easy way to get out of a rut is to try a new class or workout. Here are some of the classes you told us you wanted to try, as well as a few of our own suggestions to inspire you.

Source: HoopNotica

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Do You Sauna or Steam at Your Gym?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:00:01 -0700

Yesterday, I took a prelunch swim at Equinox, and after swimming almost a mile, I knew I had "earned" my sandwich.

I like to treat myself to a steam postswim. It warms me up and feels like a reward for a job well done. Thing is, I have never had to share the large and lovely steam room with anyone else. Which makes me wonder . . .

Source: Flickr User MiikaS

Dealing With Rude People at the Gym

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:00:16 -0700

Working out is supposed to relieve stress and calm your nerves, but when I have to deal with rude people while trying to work out, it really aggravates me. If you find yourself putting up with inconsiderate and disrespectful fellow gym-goers, here is some advice from other FitSugar readers.

Syako says, "Usually I just ignore things that aggravate me or I find rude."
"People are quite often rude in my gym. Not to be rude per say, but just very self-involved with no consideration for others. Anyway, I use the opportunity to laugh in disbelief. The laughing puts me in a good mood." - michiny
StaceyP says to speak up for yourself. "I once had a woman jump in front of me to take a spot in a pool lane for which I had obviously been very patiently waiting for before she even walked through the door. As politely as I could, I stepped in and simply said that I had been waiting for it."
"My mother always said if people are in such a rush and rude, let them go." - TrnSmleShiftRpt
"I pity them. I feel sorry for people who have become adults and not yet learned how to treat other people with respect. I silently thank my parents for raising me with some sense that what I want isn't always the most important thing in the world. I take a deep breath and feel grateful for having a happy, full life, filled with people who love me; that getting the first bike in the class isn't the best thing that happened to me all day." - Vsugar

To see the other suggestions read more.

If there are rude people at the gym, one anonymous reader just exercises harder and says, "It is amazing how hard I can work out when I'm miffed."
Candace Foxx uses a little sarcasm when it comes to rude people. When a couple started using the piece of equipment she was about to use, she says, "I just stood there and stared. Then, after they were finished, the guy was like, 'Oh, were you using that?' I said, 'No, I just brought the bench clear across the room for you guys to use it.'"
You could always complain to the people who run the gym, suggests tlsgirl.
Even though you may not be able to make others be more polite, you can choose not to be rude yourself. NikkiRuby shares, "I have a tattoo that covers my entire back. One day I was running on the treadmill and mid run I had an older woman come up to me, stopped me from running and said, 'I don't understand why such a pretty girl would get such an ugly tattoo.' I could not believe it! . . . I just simply responded with, 'You don't have to be rude.' If she wants to live her life putting her negative energy on others that is her choice. I just can't be that cruel."

Speak Up: How Do You Deal With Rude People at the Gym?

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:30:37 -0700

My bike was in the shop for a tune-up, but my legs were itching to ride. So I decided to hit the gym and take a spinning class. The noon slot is especially busy, so I went 15 minutes early and waited outside the class door until the previous class let out. Well it looks like some guy had the same plan, and he was also waiting outside. As soon as the door swung open and the sweaty folks made their way out, he bolted in the room, and practically pushed me into the water cooler. His rudeness really put a damper on my mood. I mean we're not in kindergarten racing to see who gets to the slide first. I guess it's to be expected when sharing a gym with hundreds of other people, but it's still frustrating. Does this ever happen to you? If so, how do you deal with rude people at the gym?

Fit Tip: Spy Before You Try

FitSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:30:15 -0700

We've all been there: you waltz into a new group glass at the gym only to discover that the yoga is far beyond your reach or the dance moves are better suited to fly girls than fitness buffs. Getting in over your head can not only be embarrassing, but it can also lead to injuries.

So before you wander into a class based on a friend's recommendation or a cool-sounding description, stop by the week prior and peek into the studio. Position yourself outside the door or in the back of the room and observe five to 10 minutes of the class, enough to get a sense of whether or not it's for you. It's best to come in at least 10 minutes into it, so you can observe post-warmup.

6 Mistakes You're Making at the Gym

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:00:13 -0700

Squeezing in gym time can be tricky, so you want to make your time there worthwhile. In order to strengthen your muscles effectively and prevent injury, make sure to avoid these six common workout mistakes.

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