3 years ago
Let me start off with that not all gyms are create...
Let me start off with that not all gyms are created equal.
I ve had gym memberships on and off throughout high school and university but I ve always belonged to BIG chain gyms. I didn t mind it. Ample space, ample equipment was very familiar with the layout. Now I ve taken a bit of a break (ahem few years) from the gym scene due to various injuries and well, grown up responsibilities. With a bit of weight gain and with being a newly engaged bride to be, I knew I needed to lose a bit of weight, tone up, develop a healthier habit and get stronger.
Within a month of getting engaged I knew I needed to get myself to a gym and some personal training because my condo gym wasn t cutting it any more (plus I really lacked motivation). A new gym opened up within a walking distance to where I live. I went and signed up and prepaid for a year then I realized their training packages weren t what I was looking for (without mentioning the name, this gym has a city as part of their name).
Then a colleague of mine told me she goes to a big box gym but trains at Habitual because she knew one of the trainers. I wasn t thrilled with the idea of going to a small gym as in my mind, small gyms are filled with super fit people that are the typical gym juice heads . When I went for a visit, Silvio was very straight forward and presented all the training options available without being pushy at all. I started off with 30 training sessions- very reasonably priced and I could use my sessions how I wanted. So I started training at Habitual but was stuck at my other gym.
Now fast forward a year later, I noticed that I wasn t enjoying the big box gym. When my membership ended I didn t know what I wanted to do. I enjoyed training at Habitual with Maida but I enjoyed the convinence of the big box gym. But then I remembered I barely went to that big box gym because it was overcrowded and the staff at the other gym were rude and pushy. So the answer was simple. I was going to join Habitual!! I train there so why not work out there??
Now remember how I mentioned not all gyms are created equal? Let me explain. during my year of observation while training with Maida, Habitual despite being a Small and independently owned gym is completely different from what I originally imagined. Yes there are extremely fit people, but there are also people that are new to the world of fitness. There are young people as well as older people. There is a true sense of community at this gym. The staff remembers your name beyond when you scan your card. All the trainers smile or say hi to you when you walk by. And Silvio and the front desk are always checking in on me to see how my day is! Remember my idea of members of small independent gyms not being the nicest people? Boy was I ever wrong about that!! Even though I m still shy and don t talk to a lot people, the members at the gym are really nice! I even have this woman who wishes me to have a great workout whenever I see her! I also don t feel guilty asking someone to share because they are always more than willing- sometimes I don t even have to ask as they offer before I even get a chance to ask.
Whether it is staff or members, everyone has big smiles and are friendly and easy going. Not all gyms are created equal. Just remember that! All gyms have the same equipment but it is the environment that the members and staff create! And as cheesy as it may sound, Habitual offers a sense of community. I feel that I belong, I am not judged and everyone cares! I am glad that I left that big boxed gym and gave an independently owned gym a try!