I did a crazy thing yesterday – joined a gym. It’s only $10 a month and gives me access to a lot more cardio and weight equipment and allows me to mix up my workouts more. And it’s just a couple of blocks from my job, easy access for after work workouts. I tried the gym out on a free day pass yesterday to use a treadmill for an 8-mile run as part of my half marathon training in nasty weather.
I know that sounds awful on a treadmill, but I enjoy zoning out to a good playlist while checking out everyone else at the gym as much as I enjoy getting outside and seeing the sites of nature sometimes. And I needed the change of pace after last weekend’s exhausting long run in hard winds. I decided during the treadmill run that, even though I have a home gym, joining this one would be beneficial to mix up my workouts on a variety of equipment, have a more social scene to workout in when I wanted it, and have access to a variety of treadmills when I didn’t feel like running outside in triple-digit heat or the wrath of old man winter.
And I enjoyed working out in a gym full of other fitness nuts and checking out other runners treadmill routines. Currently I’m planning after work workouts about 2-3 times a week and working out at home or doing outside runs for the rest of the week.
After a long workout, I headed home, showered, and headed to a Toyota dealership to test drive the Prius C on the hunt to replace my nearly 11-year-old economy car. I have a thing for eco-friendly and cheap cars, so the C looked like a good possibility to consider. Overall I liked it, but it feels smaller and lower than my current car, the lack of cargo space bothered me, but the rear visibility really bothered me. For a little hatchback, it has a tiny rear window with huge headrests on the back seat that made me nervous changing lanes during the highway part of the test. But it can get up to 64-miles-per-gallon from what I’ve seen on test drives which is impressive! But my search and test drives will continue next weekend as I explore more possibilities.
When we finally escaped the vultures at the dealership, we headed over to see 21 Jump Street in the pouring rain, super funny movie! Then to Whole Foods for a mini load up shopping trip and home for a lazy snacking dinner of vegan dips, chips, salad, and wine.
The Fresh & Easy blue corn crackers took me back to my childhood because the tasted a lot like Ritz crackers and were delicious! And the Tribe Spicy Chipotle hummus was fabulous with the spice evenly blended into the hummus.
And my lazy Whole Foods salad was great as always with cilantro chutney dressing, also packing a nice garlic punch.
Miko made sure no kale scraps and edamame were wasted since he adores both.
Seriously, he steals kale leafs from our garden and eats them, he loves chewing on the stems. Smart dog! :-)
“but I enjoy zoning out to a good playlist while checking out everyone else at the gym as much as I enjoy getting outside and seeing the sites of nature sometimes.” — that is pretty much the ONLY perk to a TM run…is just zoning out watching the (Crazy) antics of others and just people watching.
For 10 bucks, you can’t beat it AND it gives you an option in the rain, hot, cold, humid weather as a backup when outside isn’t happening.
True on the gym and I like the range of weight training equipment to use for mixing things up and new challenges. But running on a treadmill all the time will get old quick!
Christine,
funny….i tried out a gym on my neighborhood yesterday too and unfortuantely hated it! glad your experience was better :) and i love your dinner-fun for a sunday night!
That’s awful about your gym, I’ve been there too. The worst is when they’re too small and cramped or too crowded!