Keri, that rock gym sounds amazing! Especially since it's not a meat market -- there is nothing worse than that environment when you're working out. It's so toxic and distracting!
As long as the gym has all the equipment you're going to need, then sometimes cost becomes secondary. It's better to pay a little more and know you're going to have a good workout than pay less and never go because they aren't properly equipped.
I gather you're really serious about becoming a personal trainer!!! That's AWESOME! I'm rooting for you, Keri!
You've got that right! The gym my friend's brother is opening up has a much lower monthly rate, but its limited in what it provides versus what I want in a gym. Much as I'd like to support the guy I know, I feel like I'd be cheating myself if I didn't go with the other place. My husband may still join the other gym because he isn't looking for the same things I am. I just don't see him taking yoga classes, but you never know.
I had toyed with the idea of becoming a personal trainer a few months ago, then kinda put it out of my mind. The thoughts are coming back, and I'm feeling like its something I need to do. Wich means a lot more studying!

Oh well, it will be beneficial for me to learn more about physical fitness anyway, I can apply it to what I'm doing if nothing else.
Sounds like an awesome gym... my dad'd an avid rock climber, so I used to be quite into the climbing gyms round here... none had a WHOLE GYM attached
Glad you found a good place. And how exciting thinking about becoming a personal trainer, wish you the best
It is an awesome gym. The actual 'gym' area may not be overly large, but it does have a lot of good equipment and plenty of free weights. And like I mentioned earlier, it doesn't have a 'meat market' feel to it like 24 hour fitness does. I've heard things about the 24 hour that is close to me that are really unappealing. I could easily see me going in there already grouchy from PMS or something, having some sleazeball try to pick up on me, and having to punch him in the nuts for his troubles. Probably get me thrown out or arrested, and they probably wouldn't at least let me wash my hands first.
It looks like a natural reaction to losing weight for a number of people is to want to get in to the fitness industry. I think that can be a good thing, especially if its people who have 'been there' and can use that experience to encourage and inspire others to, well, get off their ass and get healthy.
Nice workout!
Thanks! I need to make it a goal to strength train 2-3 times a week again. I've been doing a lot of cardio, dance and yoga type of exercise, but there's something to be said about getting out there and lifting weights!
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Bleh... its getting close to that time of the month again.

That inevitable water retention and cramping has started up.
So today I am going to do an hour of belly dance/cardio work and some yoga to help alleviate the cramping. Focusing on the isolations, especially in the abdomen, really do help. I've heard and read that belly dance was originally created to help women prepare for childbirth, as it really strengthens the abdominal, hip and lower back, and a side benefit is doing the exercises massages the internal organs…helping with cramping during that time of the month.
Last night I made up a batch of the PMS muffins. Yum! Its a recipe I found in the September issue of Women's Health Magazine. No wheat, dairy or refined sugar. Uses oatmeal, brown rice flour, agave nectar & bananas for sweetness, grapeseed oil, walnuts and flax seed. Whether they are really good for PMS or not, they're tasty and not too evil. Even my husband likes them.
Last night's dinner was London Broil that had been marinaded in a bit of Jack Daniel's, then thrown on the grill with a bit of Jack Daniel's mustard glaze, 1/2 of a red potato, and a nice big salad with my own Jack Daniel's Mustard vinaigrette. I have the other half of the potato and some leftover steak for lunch today, and I'll probaly toss another salad together to accompany it.