Gym and Fitness Studio Membership's, Guests, Courtesy, Questions, FAQ:

Working out might not be everybody’s hobby and I get it. That being said there are ways to change your relationship with working out and healthy habits. Walking or getting outside might not be everybody’s cup of tea, and I completely understand that, however, there are a number of helpful steps that will help you get there along the way. 

Gym Memberships: find a gym that’s a good fit for you and if it isn’t maybe start with walking outside on a daily basis. Thats what I did and started in San Francisco when I was taking the muni to work everyday and that changed my relationship with walking. Once that skill has been mastered, next comes, Gym Memberships. 

I’ve worked at a handful of fitness studio’s for years and I learned the in’s and out’s of fitness classes, memberships, Classpass, you name it, etc… I understand that classes can seem intimidating for those who have never attended a group fitness class, however, rest assured the fitness classes and attendees are not to be feared. I love meeting other people in group fitness settings because I know they’re people who will  have similar interests and generally, people are friendly, and outgoing that go to group fitness classes. If you aren’t it’s a good way to get out of your comfort zone! And if you need a buddy, send me an email and maybe, just maybe, I’ll go with you!

Here are a few pro-tip’s from a prior SoulCycle and Barry’s employee. 

1. Always bring your own water bottle, and you’re already a first timer rockstar. 
2. If you’re a sweaty person and already have a gym towel handy, bring it with you.
3. If you want to try the shower amenities, bring a change of clothes, and everything you might need to get ready to do whatever it is you’re doing after your fitness class.
4. Smile and be enthusiastic. Be the teachers cheer leader (not people pleasing but make an effort to enjoy the class, show some gratitude to the instructors, and the instructors will love you forever). 

If you’ve never taken a cycling class in your entire life show up 30 minutes early to get the eager beaver jitters out. This gives you time to fill out your paperwork, put your personal belongings in your locker, and text that emergency contact. Just in case. Obviously nothing should happen but I saw one two many hungover girls walk out of class from their hangover nearly unconcious on the floor of the studio. Ok, that's an exageration but you get what I'm saying. It's better to be safe than sorry. It also allows for time to get comfortable with the studio. If somebody at the studio doesn’t show you how to set up your bike YOU MUST FIND SOMEBODY. I REPEAT, MUST. Ok, you cannot but try clipping in those Shimano shoes and I can almost guess if you’ve never used them you’ll need help. I promise you, just find somebody who works at the studio, and thank me later.

If you happen to have an emergency occur do not run away. The employees have all been throughly trained on how to take care of clients, claims, etc. in the event they are injured. Nobody wants to ever see somebody get hurt in a fitness class especially, a first timer. However, if you happen to be the person that gets injured please, please, please DO NOT RUN OFF. Employees will baby you and hold your hand until you need us to. No joke. The last thing anybody wants that works at a fitness studio is to have a client get injured to only have the person run off and never return again. Especially if that person was scared to go to a fitness class in the first place. Full disclosure, even instructors get’s injured because we have one thing in common. We’re human, so do not be ashamed. In the event you do leave with a bruise, think of your battle wounds as a sign of strength.

If you’ve never taken any sort of high intensity interval training group fitness classes also show up early to fill out paperwork, put your personal belongings in a locker, and get comfortable with the studio. 

Somebody at the front desk should give you a demo, however, if that doesn’t happen ask the associates at the front desk to give you a demo so you know where to go when the instructor is telling you what to do and everybody else knows. I wouldn’t want anybody to be lost, confused, and unsure on how to move around when their instructor yells for everybody to move and everybody knows exactly what to do… Aside for that one person who then sticks out like a sore thumb.  Hoepfully this prevents that.

Boxing. Honestly, don’t go to a boxing class until you’re well versed with high intensity interval training because of the skills, and techniques you need to use, and understand to find ‘joy’ in a boxing class. I fell in love with boxing when my Mom was dying from Cancer and after she died. I used it as a way to beat up the cancer that killed her (figuratively) and found boxing to be therapeutic. That being said the only thing I was punching was a boxing bag and how it felt so good to punch a boxing bag after cancer took my Mom’s life. 

Boxing requires wraps and gloves and also taught me skills like we can have two strong hands when we need to. And that's all we need. Sorry, the journalist in me shows up in fitness classes too! If you go to a boxing class arrive around 45 minutes early to get your wraps and gloves rented, on, and comfortable. For those who already have your own wraps and gloves, bring them! The front desk staff can give you a demo depending on if you go to TITLE, Box Union, or Rumble, they all teach very different classes and it’s best to arrive early to get yourself as situated as possible before the class starts. I have never worked at a boxing studio but all the employees have been incredibly helpful for somebody whose fairly new to boxing.

Closing words of encouragement. Be the reader's cheerleader.

FitwithNickiNew

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