High Tech/Swanky Gym

[lynx]

Well, I'm in Las Cruces for a conference and this evening I asked the front desk clerk where the closest gym was. He gave me directions and when I arrived I realized this was a place for people with money. I was sort of hoping for something with more of a hard core vibe. Anyways, I explained to the gym clerk that the hotel sent me, and to show them my hotel key for a discount. He said I could come in for free. (Very nice of him.) He asked if I competed, blah, blah, blah. Someone else came in and he helped them. By then another worker came and I asked where the ladies locker room was and he said he'd show me. He then asked if the other clerk showed me any of the equipment. I said no and that I would be ok. I mean c'mon it's just a gym right?

I changed and walked out and most of the machines had these screens on them. Ummm...ok. They had some hammer strength-like stuff and some free weights but most of the place was stocked with these other machines. (I was only doing calves and abs.) I did my calf exercises on some familiar-ish stuff and then checked out these ab machines with the screens. The screens counted the amount of reps you did, showed you your range of motion and had a spot for the amount of weight you were doing. (Wow.)

One of they personal trainers came over and asked if I was a new member. I explained to him why I was there and that I had never seen a gym quite like this one. He said that most of the machines (like the one I was on) had a slot where you plug your monitor (looked like a jump-drive) which comes with your membership and it's programed by one of the personal trainer. It will tell you how much weight are to use & how many reps/set you are to do at that machine. Then you can go over to a central screen, plug in your key/monitor and it will tell you what exercise/machine is next. He also said that there were 3 personal trainers on the floor at all times and that service was free with you membership. He mentioned something about it being one of the very few in the US.

I just remember thinking, "What the h-ll?!" when I stepped on the floor. It was so futuristic looking. It was a bit intimidating.

 

[BigBoyJ]

I was a trainer for a long time in a similar gym. All that stuff may seem fancy, but it's basically shit. VERY ineffective if you're actually trying to get a good workout. I suppose for the average lazy, fatass it's better than nothing. But, for people who are serious about working out, it's just silly.

 

[JETHRO TULL]

I miss you and please be careful.

For heavens sake don't attempt deadlifts or sweat on anything.

 

[lynx]

I was a trainer for a long time in a similar gym. All that stuff may seem fancy, but it's basically shit. VERY ineffective if you're actually trying to get a good workout. I suppose for the average lazy, fatass it's better than nothing. But, for people who are serious about working out, it's just silly.

Yes, the gym seemed designed for people who didn't know what to do.

For heavens sake don't attempt deadlifts or sweat on anything.

Uh, yeah, no deadlifts tonight. No spot for them even if I wanted to.
I was actually afraid that my headphones were too loud.

 

[thebrick]

I've seen those...

One gym I go to was recently remodeled and put in a bunch of those "hi-tech" machines just as you described. I hate them, but they said they are the "latest". So? I think some of these gyms like them because they are high on the "geez-whiz" factor to a lot of people. Give me an iron pit any day.

 

[AN3M4L]

my doctor talked about going to a gym like this when on vacation.

 

[Pekkerwood]

One gym I go to was recently remodeled and put in a bunch of those "hi-tech" machines just as you described. I hate them, but they said they are the "latest". So? I think some of these gyms like them because they are high on the "geez-whiz" factor to a lot of people. Give me an iron pit any day.

That stuff is mostly in a second weight room at my gym and I appreciate the fact that it keeps folks from reading magazines and using the smith machines for upside down leg presses etc.

 

[Paul Bunyan]

Lynx

I think a picture of the look on your face as you walked in there would be priceless. That whole experience would've made my head spin.

PB

 

[xxsuprman22xx]

seems like a great way to track your progress

 

[pesty4077]

Personally I wouldn't be happy until I had my morning coffee, newspaper and swedish massage.

 

[lynx]

I think a picture of the look on your face as you walked in there would be priceless. That whole experience would've made my head spin.

PB

I'm sure I looked like I had just entered a room where ghosts were floating around me and I didn't want to disturb them. Just slowly drift through and hope they didn't see me. Lol!

Although I did check the back of my head because I was sure I had grown a third arm from that spot based on the way people were looking at me. And I believe my physique, by NO means, warrant "Whoa! Look at her!" thoughts/comments. (Especially in the chubby state I'm currently in. )Just compared to who was there I was definitely out of place.

 

[overman]

In LAS CRUCES????

Are we talking about Las Cruces, New Mexico?? WOW! New Mexicans have nice gyms?? Interesting...

 

[Designbuilt]

They have a gym like that here in Chicago.

It's East Bank Club. My friend lives in the building and uses another unit as his office, until they build his "castle"

Anyway, the gym has a dry cleaning service, bars, car wash, it's pretty much for getting you ready for the day. Oprah's people go there, as welll as quite a few high ranking city officials. It's about $350.00/month!

They also had a similar gym in Cda Bungabalias, Jalisco Mex. They charge about $1200.00 sign up fee, then $200/month. But... if you stop you have to pay the Sign up fee again!

But take a look at anyone in these types of gyms, and you become unimpressed very quickly.

Even if it was the same price,
I'll stick to my $45/month Quads South anyday.

 

[SacToSD]

You guys are all lucky to go to good gyms. I pay 12 bucks a month for a hole in the wall sandwiched between a tanning salon and a viatnamese restaurant. At least the price is right, and I never (well, almost never) have to wait to use the squat rack. I've been to 11 gyms, now, and this one is actually pretty good. It doesn't even smell rank or have guys hogging the smith machine doing one arm overhead tricep extensions, and sometimes you get cardio bunnies doing romanian dl's right in front of you w/ tight booty shorts. Can you dig it?

 

[Big Bapper]

LMAO

For heavens sake don't attempt deadlifts or sweat on anything.

I wonder if Branch Warren trains there when he is in town.

The last gym were I trained got a machine that cost 5KGBP till this day I still don't know what its for.

Out of intrest how much was the membership if you don't get the hotel deal.

 

[hellraiser27]

Yes, the gym seemed designed for people who didn't know what to do.



Kind of funny. Of all people it would seem like you would know what to do in a gym. Yet you were probably the one person who needed the free training service! LOL

 

[lynx]

Out of intrest how much was the membership if you don't get the hotel deal.

I thought about it but forgot to ask.

Kind of funny. Of all people it would seem like you would know what to do in a gym. Yet you were probably the one person who needed the free training service! LOL

Yeah, I felt like I scurried right to the dumbbell rack and huddled there while I tried to reconfigure my workout, peeking over my shoulders to look at the "What the hell are those?" machines.

 

[Sassy]

That's funny Lynx. I guess I'm showing my age or something, but I just prefer to use the old non-computerized equip.

 

[Hungry Hungarian]

wow

Are there ANY gyms that still have fans in the windows to cool you off because they dont have air conditioning? That leave red rust on your hands from the dubmbells. You know, the gym that on bench day you wear your oldest crappiest T-shirt because the bar alwyas leaves a brown rust line across the front of it where it touches your chest? The places that smell like chalk, metal and tuna (because thats what the dude behind the counter was contstantly eating out of the can). Sigh..I guess these new gyms are what we have to get used to....so long you old iron pits~!

 

[thebrick]

Yeah, I felt like I scurried right to the dumbbell rack and huddled there while I tried to reconfigure my workout, peeking over my shoulders to look at the "What the hell are those?" machines.

Yeah, I had to look at the pictures to even see what the heck that machine was supposed to work Was it TechnoGym equipment?

That's funny Lynx. I guess I'm showing my age or something, but I just prefer to use the old non-computerized equip.

me too!

Are there ANY gyms that still have fans in the windows to cool you off because they dont have air conditioning? That leave red rust on your hands from the dubmbells. You know, the gym that on bench day you wear your oldest crappiest T-shirt because the bar alwyas leaves a brown rust line across the front of it where it touches your chest? The places that smell like chalk, metal and tuna (because thats what the dude behind the counter was contstantly eating out of the can). Sigh..I guess these new gyms are what we have to get used to....so long you old iron pits~!

The best gym I ever belonged to was like that. The windows were open most of the time unless it was cold or over 90º outside and only then was the air conditioning turned on. I would pull up in my Jeep in the parking lot and you could hear the music rocking and the clanging of the iron plates. It finally closed some years ago. Man! I miss that place!