Exercising at the Gym

Gary and I have been exercising at the gym at Planet Fitness since Nov. 2021. I started out in their 30 minute room and have now graduated to the machines in the big room. One of the things I like about the big room is the variety of machines. For example, several of these machines have separate arms for either doing the exercise with one or both arms. I found that one arm is slightly stronger than the other one, so now I can make sure that both arms are getting a good workout.

Stay Motivated by Exercising at the Gym:

Getting motivated to go to the gym is hard if you are not working out regularly. Once you start, the good feeling you get from your workout keeps you going back to the gym. Gary and I use Planet Fitness because it is close to our house and we can use it anywhere in the US. Which will be great for us when we travel. Being close to the gym is also a motivator, since I can’t use the excuse, “I don’t have time to drive round trip to the gym and workout.”

I’m staying motivated by changing up my exercise routine. I am using different equipment every time I go to the gym, plus sometimes I do a routine with free weights. One of my favorite free weight exercises is doing bicep curls while doing lunges. Two different body exercises at the same time makes my workout go a little faster.

Don’t Forget the Cardio

My favorite way to get my cardio in my workout is to do a high intensity workout where I monitor my heartrate while doing my weight workout. When I get to the gym, I use a cardio machine such as the elliptical, row machine, bicycle, or treadmill for 10-15 minutes. This helps me get my heart rate up and once I get my heart rate up, I can usually keep it up while doing my weight workout. I like to do one set on a machine and then go to the next machine for another set. Then I go back to the first machine for another set. I don’t take a break in between sets. Then I switch between, for example, arms and legs, so I don’t overstress any particular muscle set at once.

Yoga Is Important Too!

I’ve taken yoga classes in the past and though Planet Fitness doesn’t offer yoga classes, I’ve incorporated some yoga moves into my exercise routine. I like doing the Tree Pose and Airplane for balance. Childs Pose, Pigeon, and Downward Dog are all good for stretching, to name a few. I’m still on the hunt for a good YouTube yoga class, I can do at home.

FYI I am not a doctor or physical therapist, I just find this workout works for me. Talk to your doctor if you are thinking of starting at the gym.

Come join us at the gym!