Name a gym that’s always open and always free… It’s called outside! Gyms are great because they have equipment that can enhance workouts, some provide luxury spas and access to personal trainers, and overall they’re a great place to connect with people who have similar goals.
With that being said, when gyms shut down this past year it made me realize two things. ONE: I was over dependent on having access to a gym and TWO: I under appreciated the benefits of working out outside. Once I realized that I was taking having access to a “free gym” for granted, I became committed to including outside workouts into my routine. Keep reading to see my top 5 reasons for embracing outdoor fitness!
1. IT’S FREE
We all know how expensive a gym membership can be. Add on extra items like classes or studio passes and you can end up spending anywhere from $40-150 a month! I’m not saying it’s not worth it, but if you’re budgeting and looking to cut costs just remember an outdoor workout has no fees!
2. SPACE
I know the gym is a place for all, but I would be lying if I said I like to share my space with others when I’m working out. I can’t stand a crowded gym, especially now that social distancing is so important. An outdoor workout eliminates that problem. There is no limit on space. You find a space and it’s yours!
3. SCENERY
Have you ever wondered why a treadmill minute is so long? Or why they have to add TV’s to cardio equipment? It’s because it’s boring!! If you’re a visual person like me, you need something to look at to keep your mind occupied while doling dreadful cardio. Scenery provides that visual. Whether it’s trees, a beach, or city streets there’s nothing like the beauty of nature to keep you focused during your routine.
4. CREATIVITY
Okay, so I realize the gym will always be more beneficial when it comes to access to fitness equipment, BUT when you’re outdoors it forces you get creative. Using stairs and benches for strength training, turning trails and sidewalks into your treadmill. Just remember creativity = fun and fun = a more enjoyable workout.
5. CONVENIENCE
We can all find reasons to not workout. “There isn’t enough time”, “I don’t feel like driving through traffic”, “The gym isn’t open during the hours I have available to workout.” When your gym is right outside your door, there are no excuses! You have no other choice but to get it done!
Take advantage of your surroundings! It’s summertime and after being cooped up the last year, we have no excuse not to get outside and get moving! Join me in appreciating outdoor fitness! I will be posting an outdoor jump rope workout on my Youtube and a beach body weight workout on my Pinterest page this week!
As part of my job I have to move every two to three years. While it’s exciting to be able to live in different places, one of the downsides is having to re-establish a home-base. Whenever I move I have to find a new place to live, places to grocery shop, get my hair and nails done, and oh let’s not forget finding a new gym! For me finding a fitness home is a High priority. It’s on the same list as finding an actual home, except obviously way further down the list.
At the end of July I moved to Norfolk, Virginia and after being displaced for over a month with no steady place to workout, I had to find a gym and I had to find one fast!!! I ended up becoming a member of OneLife Fitness.
Keep reading to see what qualities I used to choose my new Fitness Home.
1. CONVENIENCE
The whole purpose is to EaZe along this continuous journey and be consistent. I can’t do that if just getting to the gym is going to be difficult. What I like about OneLife is that it has several locations around the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area, so no matter where I go I’m always within 15-20 mins of a gym. Their work hours are also conducive to my work hours. I need a gym that opens up early so that I can workout and still be at work by 6:50. Not only do they have gyms that open up at 0500 but they also have a few gyms that have a 24 hour option during the week. Now that’s what I call #winning !!!!
We already know it’s a struggle just to convince yourself to go to the gym. So if that gym is too far from work or home, located in a complicated traffic pattern, or has unacceptable hours then it’s definitely going to be a NO for me.
2. PANDEMIC MODIFICATIONS
I’m trying to stay fit, but not at the expense of my health. We are still in a pandemic and ultimately going to a public gym is a risk, especially because gyms can get crowded.
OneLife made me feel safe from the start. They have signs posted everywhere that stress that safety and public health are one of their main objectives. They promote mask wearing and following CDC and state guidelines. At every station and in between every station you can find towels and cleaning supplies to wipe the machines down, and out of all the times I’ve been to the gyms, there has never been an instance where there hasn’t been staff actively cleaning.
Now you might think oh well that’s in every gym. That’s expected! It is expected! But it’s not in every gym. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to a gym, and they’re out of paper towels or they don’t have wipes or spray to wipe down the equipment.
To top it all off, the fitness chain has installed AIRPHX units in all of their facilities. AIRPHX units are machines that can reduce bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous toxins in the air and on surfaces in large facilities.
If I don’t feel safe, I’m not going, so the safety features are definitely a big plus for me.
3. VERSATILITY
It’s a pet peeve of mine when a gym lacks versatility for workouts. So for example, I’ve been to gyms that had a huge free weight area, a medium cardio section, and some machines, but no functional training area and no studio space. When I walk into a gym I want to feel like I’m in a theme park. I should be able to spend an hour their everyday for two weeks and not have to repeat the same workout.
OneLife Fitness is definitely the six flags of fitness chains. I haven’t been to all of the locations yet, but of the ones that I’ve visited they all had multiple floors, cardio areas, weightlifting areas w/ free weights & machines, functional training sections, and studio spaces for cycling, fitness classes, yoga and Pilates. Some locations even had pools.
LEVELS!!!!!! AND CHECK THE VIBE! LOVE THE WAREHOUSE FEEL.STUDIOS…. PLURAL.
Everyone’s approach to fitness is unique, and if you’re like me, I rarely repeat the same workout twice. The options that OneLife Fitness provides for working out makes it feel like an inclusive gym that encourages all types of fitness.
4. AMENITIES
Amenities are like the WOW factor of fitness facilities. I always want to know, if I’m paying for something monthly, what else do you have to offer me that makes it worth paying for on a continuous basis. OneLife definitely understands this concept. They have several WOW factors.
#1. Free services-If a gym doesn’t give you free services, then they’re trash, periodt. There should always be some sort of incentive to show members why they should be at that specific gym. Prior to signing up OneLife Fitness offers a free visit to check out the gym. It’s similar to buying a car, you should absolutely be able to test drive a gym prior to buying into it, so this definitely drew me in. They also offer two free personal training sessions and body analyses for new members. This is key because you get to really assess the professional level of their staff and get a starting basis for where you are in your journey without pulling out any coins!!!
#2.Inclusivity- Earlier I referenced how they take into consideration different fitness styles. Well they also thought outside of the box and considered the differences in their members and the certain needs/preferences they may have. For example, certain locations have women’s only gyms. Personally I can workout anywhere in the gym, but I know that it can be intimidating going into a male dominant area, so I think having this option absolutely tailors to the need of the population that would like a more private workout. They have a kids center for parents who need to workout but don’t have child care. Additionally they have cinema cardio rooms!!! Like WHAT IS THAT??? You can literally get your cardio on and simultaneously watch a movie! Cardio is Hardio. Having a distraction like cinema is definitely something I appreciate.
Cardio Cinema!!!!!
5. AFFORDABILITY
While a gym is a place for people to sustain fitness, it’s also a business, and over the years I’ve noticed the trend of “luxury gyms” with “luxury prices.”
But I’ve never felt like the amenities they touted were actually worth paying over $100 a month. That’s literally highway robbery! On the other hand, you have your $10 gyms that have weird rules and no amenities. It’s like two extremes, but OneLife Fitness is definitely a balance of the two. The two monthly membership prices were 29.99 and 39.99 and they didn’t have a ridiculous sign up fee. I honestly think you’re getting way more bang for your buck with this gym!
Choosing a gym is like getting started in a relationship. This is a fitnesship!! It’s a committment and it needs to be a match! My gym and I should be equally yoked!
If you’re looking for a new gym, hopefully evaluating these qualities will help you make a decision and if you have OneLife Fitness in your area, go check it out!! Tell them I sent you! 😉
