Category Archives: Fitness

Last week I started working out with my new trainer, Kris.  It will probably take me a couple of months before our training sessions become routine and I can anticipate what he may have in store for me. For now, each work out is something a bit different and new.

Like my former trainer, he couples routines so one rep focuses on one muscle group and the next focuses on a secondary group. Thank goodness we take 30-second breaks after these back-to-back sets so I may catch my breathe.

We are still in the “honeymoon” stage; he’s figuring out what are my limits and structuring routines to push me and I’m trying to impress him by not gasping for air.  Although I miss my former trainer, Stu, I’m happy with the change and have faith that Kris is going to help me attain a higher level of fitness so I’ll be more comfortable when the warmer weather arrives.  Are you working out? Let’s chat and motivate each other.

It is the end of an era (sort of).  In February 2009 my partner gave me a  trial pack at my local gym to work out with a personal trainer.  That thoughtful gift resulted in a 3 year relationship with my personal trainer, Stew.  Long time readers will recognize his photo to the left.  His workouts still leave me winded and my last session with him this past Friday was killer, but after 3 years I’ve decided I need to mix things up and change my routine.

Starting today, I’m working out with a new trainer.  Kris shares a similar work out philosophy and both trainers know and respect each other so I feel like I’ll be in good hands.  However, not knowing what to expect has me a bit on edge. I’ll be sure to share more about my work out routine with my new trainer, Kris, in the coming weeks, but for now I wanted to recognize and say thank you to Stew for all his help.

It has been awhile since I’ve talked about my fitness and work out regimen and with the holiday season set to go into overdrive next week here in the United States, it seems like an appropriate moment to bring it up (again).

My job and the weather tend to greatly influence my commitment to the gym, which is really dumb when you consider its a combination of vanity and genuine interest in my own personal health that is the reason I work out.  However, September through the Thanksgiving holiday is terribly hectic as is the new year and much of spring.  Couple that with the fact that it is downright freezing in Boston and suddenly previously considered lame excuses not to go to the gym sound legit.  The days of when I would barely visit a gym in a month are long gone thanks to the fact that I work out with a trainer whom I do my best to see two times a week, but I need to get my butt in gear so I’m going to the gym on those off-days when Stu (my trainer – depicted at the start of the post) isn’t there pushing me.  Anyone else struggling with their gym routine?  Any gym rats out there who would like to provide  some pearls of wisdom on how you stay so focused despite all the distractions?

More Massachusetts residents have gym memberships than any other state according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.  The survey found that one out of four MA residents belonged to a health club last year.

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular gym activities based on the survey results.  Treadmills 44%; Weight machines 43%; Hand weights 35%; Elliptical trainer 32%; Stationary bike 32%.

Its not exactly clear if having a gym membership translates into going to the gym but having a membership is certainly a step in the right direction.  So in light of this recent article I’m curious, do you have a gym membership and if so where do you live? If you don’t have a membership, do you work out on your own or when you hear the word “gym” do you automatically think “Jim”?