I can’t touch my toes.
This is evidence of a larger issue – that of being inflexible, out of shape and irrationally fearful that I won’t be able to walk in 20 years due to degenerating muscles.
I want to touch my toes. I know that involves exercising, which I’m not against. The rub is deciding between joining a gym or somehow disciplining myself to work out at home.
The latter is extremely unlikely without a workout buddy or access to a lap pool. It simply isn’t in my nature to exercise by choice. I can run, but don’t enjoy it. I have a bike, but no real desire to ride.
So that leaves joining a gym.
Here’s my issue with that – I find gyms incredibly intimidating. I’m an amateur exerciser to say the least and the hard core, go all out patrons scare me. And I’m sure they find my lack of machine knowledge annoying, which makes me less inclined to use certain machines, essentially negating my whole purpose in joining a gym.
So to summarize, I need a workout buddy to encourage, a place without scary machines and people who are willing to work with me on my level. Somewhere that appeals to both my nature and nurtures me.
Aren’t I in luck!
Last month, a few people from Gangplank started #fatoff and partnered with Competitive Fit. I had never heard about this gym, though I live on the Chandler border. Naturally, that immediately piqued my interest because I despise big gyms that advertise everywhere (I’m looking at you LA Fitness). When the gym decided to host #twitfitaz, a Saturday morning workout preview, I decided to give it a try.
I haven’t been that physically tired since my first high school varsity volleyball workout.
We worked out on an improvised baseball field. The order went as such: run to first base and do 15 squats, run to second and do 10 push ups, run to third base and do 5 box jumps, run home and do 3 “burpees”. We had to do as many laps as possible in 15 minutes. Jason, the owner, encouraged us the whole time. I was working out with 3 males and one other woman, so the competition to not get lapped helped push me to work harder. Afterward, I was tired, sore with complete muscle exhaustion…and it was fantastic.
I’m one of those people doesn’t feel I’ve exercised unless it burns. Since Competitive Fit aims to push you to your physical limit and beyond, there’s no way to have a bad workout. The lack of machines means I’m not worried about following instructions. The constant supervision by staff ensures my forms is correct to protect against injury AND the workouts feed my competitive side.
I’m hoping to start working out at the gym next month. Maybe I’ll see some of you there…and kick your exercising ass =)