Gyms.

[ProfLiebstrom]

Posting in here instead of the sports read football forum :p.

Anyone been a member of any gyms? What sort of help from the people there do you get? whats the best gym?

I was thinking about openning a membership at the virgin gym in sheffield because its nice and cheap (£21 a month for students) and it looks rather good. But hey i know nothing about gyms really :p

[Laz]

I'm currently going to a boxing gym just down the road from me. Used to be Mark Roe's but he sold it to some guy I don't really know. Used to be a score per year and then 4 pound every time you go. Now it's 40 a year and about a fiver every time you go. Although there is some 40 a month scheme going where you get loads of training thrown in too.

Going to join in at the BJJ down in Gravesend, It's a Rickson Gracie approved gym being run by Dean Taylor (never heard of him myself) It's just whenever I can get my arse in gear really. Gonna go and watch a few sessions first I think.

[Munkee]

Most gyms will give you a half hour intro to the machines, if only to minimise their legal liability if/when you knacker your back using them, and some cheezy fitness test to convince you that you'll die of a heart attack within 12 months unless you instantly sign up for a direct debit payment. Other than that you'll be doing well to get anything more than a "Personalised Fitness Plan" which is a bit of paper listing the machines you should use and the reps you should be doing. It won't be much use but its an ok starting place if youre a complete novice.

Gym suitability depends on what youre wanting to achieve. If you're out to improve aerobic fitness then make sure there are loads of bikes/rowers/joggers/step machines since these tend to fill up fast and be used for a long time. If you're out to build muscle then free weights are a good sign but a lot of the trendier places shy away from them since its dead easy to hurt yourself using them.

Make sure its convenient cause most days you'll be looking for an excuse not to go and check it out at the times youre likely to be using it. See how busy it gets and what kind of people are there. The biggest problem with gym training is the boredom so consider swallowing your embaressment and see if they offer any aerobics classes. You'll be surrounded by flexing women and so desperate not to make a fool of yourself that you'll try twice as hard.

Theres a "Weight Lifting for Dummies" believe it or not and if you're an absolute beginner its worth a read though training advice changes as often as the weather.

[Lungboy]

Be careful Laz, most of the "Gracie Approved" BJJ places have some extremely tenous link whereby Gracie said something about his mates dads dogs housesitters daughters penpals cousins gym is ok. There are very very very few properly certified Gracie gyms around. I'm not saying this isn't one, but make sure you check it out fully.

[ProfLiebstrom]

in england i think there are some incredibly low number like 2 gracie approved places/instructors.

1 in Sheffield
1 in Leicester i think it is

[Minty]

I believe theres one in Nottingham, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and 2 in London. officially anyways.

[Smoo]

Seeing as no-one else has said it, take it to the fitness forum :P

[Minty]

I was thinking about it, but then I thought "No, its just as welcome here as anywhere else"

So shush! :P

[Smoo]

"Martial Arts" My guess is you'll be banned from the gym when you kick someone in the back of the neck :P

[Minty]

Or you could always do it to the punching bags. Now shush!

[ProfLiebstrom]

the fitness forum is dead thats why i didnt post in it.

[Smoo]

I shall never be shushed!!