In March of this year, two good friends tell me about Renew Active. It's a benefit of having AARP United as my supplemental insurance for Medicare.
Among other things, Renew Active includes a free membership to Life Time, a chain of US health clubs that would otherwise cost over $300/month. There are several in the city.
I join last March.
I have never been consistent with going to the gym. And, I don't like classes. But my friends convince me that water aerobics is a lot of fun and great exercise.
First I need to get the right gear. I buy two inexpensive chlorine-resistant bathing suits.
Then a great little gym bag from Vooray (in black).
I've now run out of excuses.
I go to my first class in mid-August.
The pool has a gorgeous skylight. The instructor is great. And the amenities (all Kiehl products) are perfect.
I go for about a month and then stop.
No reason.
As I said, I have never been good at organized classes.
But the club is great, and I need to go. If I don't, I risk having my membership revoked.
So today I go to a strengthening class. Like the swim class, this is part of the ARORA program — that is, "it's designed for active older adults." At least that sounds better than saying seniors.
I arrive early and am taken under the wing of a very fit woman.
Andrea gets me a mat. A balance ball. And chooses my weights. 1-3 pounds. "Start with the lightest ones first."
Then she gets her 15-20 pound weights. The difference is comical.
The class begins at exactly 11.
I do okay on the balance ball. I don't like the aerobic movements. And my knee starts to hurt before we even get to the weights.
I walk out. It's 11:08.
I spend the next hour on the recovery floor (as if I need any recovery). That's where the fantastic mega-massage chairs are.
I need to find a better reason to go.
Joining a fitness club for the massage chairs is not a good strategy.
I have a reson for you continuing to go........... It will help to keep you healthier and therefore, probably be in less pain as you grow older. Plus, you might even meet some nice people.
ReplyDeleteThe massage chair is an excellent reason to go. Try the sauna. They are better than exercise classes.
ReplyDeleteI go to aurora classes at the NOHO location and love it! No massage chairs there tho..
ReplyDeleteYou can only eat an elephant one bite at a time. Strive for shorter, more consistent visits. Doesn’t have to be a “sweaty Betty” workout every time. You got this!!
ReplyDelete(from Betsy V)...Haha. You sound like me. I was a gym rat for years. But then once I discovered Pickleball, I stopped going. I’ve gone once in the past two years and am paying 60 a month. It’s a great gym and I got grandfathered in with the low monthly rate so can’t ever quit. My other mistake was I got the bone density test and have good bones so feel no need tfor doing the weights. Which is stupid. I should be doing them. I did water aerobics forever and loved it — though I seriously wonder about the benefit of it — it’s way too easy — but I got tired of all the work it takes to go in the pool. The number of clothing changes — worrying about the chlorine with my dyed hair — fear of wearing a swim cap because of the accentuating of an old and wrinkled face. And then I just stopped. I keep saying I’ll go back but just can’t get into the swing of it.
ReplyDeleteI did spin classes for a while because you can cheat but never did any other classes besides the water stuff. A chair yoga class once. But I used to walk on the treadmill and ride the stationary bike which is great for the knees.