Getting Fit (and how to choose a gym)
Those of you who know me in the real world may have heard me announce (more than once): “I’m going to get fit and do the London Marathon”.
Often, this announcement is made after I’ve drunk a few glasses of white wine and it has been known for me to utter it with cake/finger food/pizza in hand.
It is true that I’ve been saying this for at least the past 5 years and it’s also true to say that it’s developed a hollow ring to it. But fear not earstwhile blog reader: I’m not going to shout this out loud in the real world, but between you and me I want to make good on former proclamations!
Every journey starts with the first step and I have made that first step: I’ve joined a new gym: Market Sports in Shoreditch. But more than this, I’ve started going each morning.
I’m already feeling a lot more healthy and less tired: it’s still a novelty at the moment though and the true test is going to come in the next couple of weeks: will leaving my flat at 6am still seem such a good idea then? I’ll keep you posted via this blog!
One good thing about my new gym though is that it is quite small and always fairly busy. The reason this is a good thing is that it actually forces you to do some exercise! Previously, I’d been a member of the much bigger, much more luxurious (and much more expensive) Virgin Active Broadgate.
The Virgin Active is a lovely gym: modern, big changing rooms, lots of equipment and a massive members reception area with comfy sofas.
The problem is all of that stops you exercising. Market Sports has everything you need in the way of equipment but it’s size and footfall means that you have to get changed quickly (as there isn’t a huge amount of space in the changing rooms), and you have to occupy yourself on a machine of some description as there isn’t those massive empty spaces to walk around in Virgin has. Spend too long reading a notice board and you’ll quickly become in the way of someone wanting to get past. Try and sit in reception for a rest and you’ll be a sweating wreck next to someone filling out their application to join.
As I say: this is a good thing! I’ve been a member of around 10 gyms in London and Market Sports is my favourite by far.
Stay tuned to see if my health plan continues to stay on track!