Today I
shopped around for exercise equipment that would simulate rowing, cross-country
skiing, or paddling a kayak. I explored
online, then I visited 2 exercise equipment stores, a community center gym
& a commercial gym.
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| a homemade home gym |
At the
stores, I thought I’d have a chance to try out a couple of different machines. Nope. The
simulative experiences I’m looking for don’t exist, I was told. As I saw online, most rowers are based on
pulling a handle straight toward your torso, but not the elliptical pull of
real rowing. And it’s such a specialty
item that it’s not available in the store to try out. Buy it in their online store, assemble at
home, then try it out. For an extra fee,
you can buy the privilege of returning it for any reason. (Disassemble, pack, & ship.) For a kayak-ish experience, attach a
resistance band to a heavy object & make paddling movements. I was told that elliptical walking equipment
replaced cross-country ski machines years ago, & now only used machines can
be found. I haven’t tried any further
research about this. I wasn’t looking
for another machine to install in my crowded exercise space at home, anyway.
 |
| senior center gym |
The
community center gym is in my local senior center, with lenient age
requirements (must be at least 18). There were a few guys hanging out the entry desk of the gym, including a qualified
trainer. Several men & women were
using different exercise machines. One
man showed me around & let me try out a couple of machines. I’m told that a commercial gym went out of
business, and the seniors got a variety of machines. The
rower had two handles that pull up beside my hips, which may be a little more
simulative than the straight center pull.
How would I know? The usage fees
for this gym are a real bargain, but I don’t yet have confidence in the
trainer/supervisor. To begin using the
equipment, I need written permission from my doctor. She should be delighted! But she’s out of town for a while, so nothing
is happening yet.
 |
| huge commercial gym |
At the huge
commercial gym, I was hoping to buy guest privileges for a few days once in a
while, if they have the equipment & policies I’m looking for. When I walked in, the receptionist asked for
a driver’s license and multiple types of contact info, then alerted a membership
sales person to escort me on my tour. It
took a long time to get a clear answer about the equipment available, but the
membership sales guide was interested in my virtual journey, creative exercising,
& blog combo, and suggested a personal trainer who would tailor each exercise
session to my virtual trip segment. It
sounds pretty cool! Like having
companionable support staff join my trip & cheer me on. He introduced me to a trainer that I
immediately felt comfortable talking to.
We had an immediate, uncanny rapport.
But I was looking for a little variety of movement to supplement &
extend my cycling, and this was becoming a recruitment into an immersive cult
membership. Twice-a-week trainer sessions, plus nearly-daily workouts at the
gym. What happened to my bike riding at
home? Still, the trainer & I were
enjoying the conversation. And then,
after an hour, I finally got to hear about the fee structure. Initiation fee + monthly fee: manageable if
the program fit what I was looking for.
Trainer fees: yikes! Way beyond affordability! They offered lower-priced alternatives and,
finally, a 1-week free guest membership.
(Isn’t that what I came in for?)
And an offer for a sample session with the trainer within that week. Still pretty tempting. It’s worth pondering…
homemade
home gym: http://thrillblender.com/do-it-yourself-gym-equipment/
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