I did break down and join a fitness club. I know myself well enough to realize that I need variety, and a fitness club offers just that. Fortunately, there is a club about 1 mile from my home. If the location was too far away or completely off my regular route, I wouldn’t go. It’s a national franchise, which isn’t my preference, but I am definitely impressed with the level of customer service. I have pondered the membership for the past couple of months, thinking about my past fitness club and YMCA membership experiences – usually went twice in the first month and never again. One exception was when I worked at a YMCA as a lifeguard.
I am not a fan of public workouts. Call me strange, but I don’t want anyone seeing me work so hard that my face is sweaty, red, contorted, and I’m breathing so hard it drowns out the background noise. That’s why I prefer to exercise in the privacy of my home, with resistance tubing, hand weights, a NordicTrack, and a plain, old, floor. However, I love the water and missed swimming. The local fitness club is an impressive facility that includes a spa, cafes, and an outdoor pool (bonus!).
I thought about the last time I really spent time working out in a pool. It has been at least 10 years. I decided to try a water fitness class this week and was quickly reminded of the reason why I never embraced water fitness classes. I am height challenged and I drift, even at the shallowest depth. A friend and former colleague affectionately referred to me as a Hobbit, but I am taller than the average Hobbit (3-4 feet). I cannot keep my feet on the bottom of the pool and constantly work to maintain my position. It’s both hilarious and frustrating. I went to the club to swim laps mid-morning today. It was great, despite the smell of chlorine, which I find exhilarating. I spent so much time in a pool when I was younger, initially as recreation, next as a member of the swimming and diving team. Today, I was a victim of the many years I was away from the fitness club scene. I lost the groove. After the laps, I put my swimsuit in the locker room sink, while I dressed, and then left without it. What a dope! I remembered when I was about a block from the club. I rushed back into the club and the locker room – it was gone – Wow – efficient locker room attendants. It was the first time I wore that swim suit! (My old lap swim suit is too big – hee hee – that’s a great thing.) A friendly member services associate returned the wet swim suit in a plastic bag. All was well. It’s clear that I need some retraining in processes and procedures related to using a fitness center.
Just Beth 