I’m afraid of gyms. Gyms are intimidating, sweaty, overwhelming,
frightening places filled with people who seem to be experts in
operating strange medieval torture devices.
I’m afraid of gyms. Gyms are intimidating, sweaty, overwhelming, frightening places filled with people who seem to be experts in operating strange medieval torture devices. At least that’s what I used to think. Forget the debate about how long a war with Iraq would be: the longest ongoing battle of my life is the battle of the bulge. It took a former professional athlete to convince me to give Gilroy Health & Fitness a try, where she introduced me to someone named Sondra who could match me up with the right personal trainer. I needed someone who would teach me how to use things like a Pec Deck and a Chest Press and at the same time could give me a lot of support. Everyone there was very non-threatening, gentle and encouraging. I signed up for a few sessions with a trainer just to have someone initially show me the ropes; I would never have figured it all out on my own.
But after a few workouts, it was like all the other fitness routines I have tried. I got off track and missed a few visits. Then it was hard to get myself to go back. At first I couldn’t get myself to do it. I felt like such a flake. Finally trainer Ariana called me, “We haven’t seen you in awhile,” she said in an understanding tone. “I’m usually not such a flake; I usually do follow through more on what I start,” I mumbled groggily into the receiver. “Oh, believe me you’re not the first,” she says sympathetically, “You can still come back in.” Can there really be a lesson in forgiveness at the gym? I felt like such a failure for not going all these weeks. Maybe I have to forgive myself for giving up on yet another plan, forgive myself for being afraid to go back and start over again. I have to forgive myself for my lack of motivation and stick-to-it-iveness. When I finally manage to make a return visit to the gym, I am late and I come in with my tail between my legs. “Well, hey, at least you’re here,” my trainer says, “You got yourself in the door. That’s what matters. We’ll start out slow. Don’t worry.” I sigh with relief.
I find that the focus at Gilroy Health & Fitness is on overall health and wellness and changing lifestyle, not just being a certain weight or looking a certain way. Co-owner and manager Christopher tells me, “It’s hard to come into a community and make a living there and not give back. It’s all about giving back to the community.” The gym has a program through the City, in agreement with Gilroy Unified School District, which enables elementary and junior high students to come there twice a week to learn about nutrition, meal planning, various aspects of fitness, and how to use exercise machines. By starting a healthy lifestyle early, these children have the opportunity to establish good health routines early in life and avoid some of the pitfalls we adults face later. “A healthy community starts with how we take care of ourselves. We are working with the City on many future plans benefiting the Gilroy community,” Christopher explains.
One such plan is the new gym catering to women only: The owners of Gilroy Health & Fitness will be opening the new Ladies Health & Fitness Club on Westwood Drive in early November. Christopher tells me much research has gone into determining what women most want and need out of a gym; in fact, other women’s gyms were consulted all across the country. This gym will provide all the usual types of classes in exercise, yoga, cardio circuit, and Pilates, but with special emphasis on women’s health issues. Membership will also include such amenities as a lounge area with TV, magazines, books, coffee, couches, and a pleasant atmosphere for winding down or switching gears after work. The treadmills have their own built-in personal fans. Bright entryways and ample on-site parking bring safety and convenience to both the early and the evening athlete. There will be special massage days and pampering days, nutritional training, childcare, and a private aerobics studio. A registered dietitian will lead seminars on specific women’s issues. For more information, call Melissa at 847-9181.
My personal trail to fitness is a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns. There’s a poem by Rumi that I love for those endeavors in life I find most challenging: “Come, come, whoever you are – Wander … lover of leaving, It doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vow a hundred times Come, come yet again, come.” The point is there is always a second chance: Never give up. You can always start again, no matter how many times you have tried. This time I won’t wait for New Year’s to make a new resolution: I am going back to the gym.
Kat Teraji’s column is published every Thursday in The Dispatch. You can reach her at ka****@ea*******.net.
