Comments on: how to get newbies healthy?

Question: how to get newbies healthy?

edmcbride — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:50:50 -0800

My wife and I are trying to get back into shape, and maybe loose some weight. I've tried out my google-foo, and can find some places here in RI, but I don't think my wife would feel comfortable walking into Golds gym. Help!

We're kinda looking into maybe some yoga. I'm just interested in doing some cardio, bikes, maybe some free weights. Would love to have a pool and a hot tub.

My wife has never been in a gym while I used to go with a roommate. We've been looking into the YMCA. Maybe some AskMe users live in Rhode Island and can give some expertise.

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:14:29 -0800

Find a trainer, even if it's only for one or two sessions. Even better would be a training program, check with a hospital, that's where I found a really good one. Going with a trainer helps you to learn how to exercise so you don't injure yourself or get bored. Make sure it's good trainer, someone who's positive and will push you a bit, but isn't a dick about it.

By: substrate

substrate — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:21:05 -0800

I hate Gold's gym, but your wife may be fine at a Gold's. The one where I am has a separate women's workout area.

By: The corpse in the library

The corpse in the library — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:32:05 -0800

I sometimes go to a Gold's gym. It's not at all harrr! harrr! grunt!y. It also has a room just for women to work out in, and yoga classes, bikes, weights, cardio. I'm not a big fan of Gold's, because of the year-long contract, but the gym itself (at least my neighborhood one) is fine.

I've also had good luck at various Y's and locally-owned gyms. Don't be intimidated -- just walk in and look around. They're really not very macho places. Even if the free-weight section can be a bit manly, the rest is usually a bunch of bikes in front of TV sets.

By: hurdy gurdy girl

hurdy gurdy girl — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:49:59 -0800

You and your wife might be interested in this recent thread: Is the YMCA for me? It discusses a lot of the pros of going to the Y, notably that it is a welcoming atmosphere for people who are new to the gym or aren't into stereotypical "gym culture." All YMCAs are different, so you'd have to check your local one to see if it has a pool/hot tub.

By: bfranklin

bfranklin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:08:14 -0800

Simplefit is bare bones and will definitely get you in shape if you're capable of motivating yourself to stick with it. You can do all of the exercises at home.

By: edmcbride

edmcbride — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:12:55 -0800

Thanks for all the info, I'm checking it all out, and I will pass this all on to my wife!!

By: Melismata

Melismata — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:16:43 -0800

How's your diet? Diet is a huge part of losing weight and generally feeling better. You could switch to one of those meal-portion plans, such as Nutrisystem or HMR. I did HMR and liked it because they also give you many tips on how to exercise better (if you can stand their too-cheerful "you can do it!" attitude).

By: BobbyDigital

BobbyDigital — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:35:00 -0800

Have more sex, and cook your own food.

By: ignignokt

ignignokt — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:58:41 -0800

Seconding SimpleFit. Besides not requiring a gym, it's also very efficient and won't take up huge swaths of time.

By: shothotbot

shothotbot — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:08:17 -0800

Have more sex, and cook your own food.
that sounds like excelent advice to me.

In addition, Eyes of the World is a nice yoga studio in Providence, near you. Take a few classes with Tom Gillette and be sure to tell him you are new.

By: subtle_squid

subtle_squid — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:22:55 -0800

I recommend a rock gym. Rock climbing combines cardio and anaerobic excercise, and it builds balance and flexibility. Personally I've never enjoyed the regular gym environment but rock climbing keeps me coming back and motivated to improve.

Google tells me there is a gym in providence and another in mystic.

By: epersonae

epersonae — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:22:05 -0800

I had good experiences with yoga classes at a community college where I worked; they were part of the "continuing education" program.

The school also had an exercise room & pool, although both were out of commission for most of the time I worked there -- earthquake damage followed by renovation. When I did use the exercise room, it was very mellow, mostly other staff.

You might find something similar near you, probably at pretty low cost.