I had heard of another gym in the town that I work in a few minutes away. I had stopped in once before, years ago when I wasn't into the health scene. I walked into the main lobby and didn't see anyone. I stood around and looked at posters and flyers on the walls for a while and waited to see if anyone would come to the front desk or ask if I need some help. No a soul walked by, not even a gym member. The place seemed vacant. So, I turned around and walked out. That was 7 years ago. I figured I would give it one more try. It could be under new management by now, right?
I remembered where it was at, so I parked my car and walked in. The parking was full. The lobby was bustling with bodies walking back and forth. Several which turned and looked my way, smiled and said, "Hi" as they past by. The girl at the desk was folding towels, she could tell I looked a little confused. She asked if I needed some help, had some questions, or would I like a tour. "Damn! She's good." I thought. She could spot a newbie at the door. "All of the above" I responded. At that moment, a brunette came around the corner as if on cue. The clerk said, "She would be more that delighted to help you out" as she waved over to the brunette. The brunette smiled, introduced herself to me (don't ask me her name!) and whisked me away.
By the time she was done with me, I was impressed with the club and pissed because it felt like for the past few years I had been ripped off by my gym. For almost half the price, Fitness Forum at 1210 Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville, Georgia offers more than double of what the other place offers but the other place charges almost double the money. Plus, all the hassle and run around I got about transferring from one of the franchises to the other was a total nightmare that almost cost me one extra year of a already paid two year contract (total three years when the max all members pay is two years). Where at Fitness Forum, there is no contract. HELLO!!
Pretty much everyone knows how hard I've looked into the courses for the Personal Trainer Certification and how I would love to take the course. But, the funding is holding me back. I have asked the other place to help me out several times. Like many gyms, I offered to work off the cost of the cert. or if they would hire me and pay for the cert. I would stay and work for them for a certain time frame. I wasn't shot down. Worse. I was given the, "Maybe in the future" answer.
Before I left Fitness Forum, Ms. Brunette gave me the schedule of the bigillion classes they hold each day and a three day pass. Needless to say, after my three day pass was used up I joined. On my fifth day, I cautiously approached one of the managers of the trainers. After a few moments of conversation and finding out that he is former L.E., I asked my question and I sat with my fingers crossed behind me. To my surprise, he sat and listened. When I was done, he turned and stared at the wall for a few seconds and said he had never heard of such a thing. But was intrigued by it because he was just thinking that he needed to hire a few new trainers and this just might work for him. But, he would have to run it by his bosses first and that would take some time to pan it all out, fine tune it and present it to them. I didn't know whether to laugh of cry. I was so happy to just hear someone else say it was a good idea. I didn't care if I got a part time gig or a certification out of it at that moment. I think the validation made the moment. I walked on cloud 9 for days afterward. I'm still waiting to hear back from him about it. It's only been a week and the gym has two benefits coming up in the next two weeks as well. I've waited this long. A little while longer isn't going to hurt.
I'm saving some dough, things at home are good, I'm at a better gym and I'm getting some kick ass work outs and I can see the difference. I'm pretty content right now. How about you? What's going on in your neck of the woods?
http://www.fitnessforumgainesville.com/
