Why I Love the Gym
by Lisa Gartland
posted June 8, 2009

I admit it, I love the gym. I’m sure exercise purists look at me with scorn, from their triathlon-obsessed lives. Yes, I’ve done my share of extreme sports, and achieved magical, life-changing athletic goals. But what has made me the happiest over the years - and kept me the fittest - has been my time at the gym. Here’s why.

The gym has variety. A good gym has all sorts of classes & equipment. In addition to the tried-and-true classes - like yoga, cycling, step and sculpting - fun, new exercise classes are always popping up. Have you tried zumba or spin-e-oki? And the gym is full of machines, weights, and exercise gadgets.

The gym has great instructors & trainers. They can create challenging workouts for people at any fitness level. Inspiring fitness professionals also know how to make exercise fun, with music and great moves. And they don’t let you skip the stretches.

The gym has camaraderie. As a regular, you become part of the gym community. You get to know everybody’s favorite spot in the room, what exercises they like the best, and who’s having a good day, often without exchanging a word. Plus you motivate each other, and everybody works a little harder.

The gym is supportive. There’s a myth that everybody at the gym must be in perfect shape, and wear the skin-tight clothes to prove it. In reality, a good gym is usually the least pretentious and friendliest place you’ll ever go. There are always people who are more - or less - fit than you are. But what counts is that you’re there, doing your best.

The gym is effective. If you need to make the most of your exercise time, gym classes are perfect. You can get a challenging workout in an hour or less, in any kind of weather.

Add it all up, and you see the gym is really motivating. In fact, the hardest part of a gym workout is getting yourself there. Once you’re in the door, you’re lured to your favorite activities, lead by expert instructors, and buoyed along by your fellow members. You’ll leave on a wave of endorphins.

I dabble in other fitness activities, but I always come back to the gym. It’s easy, it’s convenient and it’s fun, and you don’t need sunscreen.

Lisa Gartland is the owner of Inside Outside Fitness, a friendly, neighborhood gym at 4444 Piedmont Avenue in North Oakland, (510) 655-8308, www.insideoutsidefitness.com.

This article was also printed in the Piedmont Post.

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