Gym Rat- Definition- One who spends entirely too much time partaking in muscle building, strength training, cardiovascular, or aerobic activity. Although, I don’t personally think I’m a Gym Rat many who know me say otherwise. So, I thought this week I would give a "in denial" Gym Rat’s prospective on the new Leesburg L.A Fitness.
For starters IT’S HUGE! There are two levels of fitness equipment, squash courts, indoor basketball court, a spin cycle room as big as a small movie theater, indoor lap pool and enough equipment to work every muscle known to man and beast alive! The gym offers regular cycle, yoga, aqua fit, and cardio class (i.e. step class, kick boxing, and some sort of dance/ shaking your booty class that most of the white folk (like me) can’t do). There is also a really nice daycare area for the kids while you work off that pastry you had for breakfast! You probably will also see many of the same trainers and staff from the other local gyms. So, you should feel right at home with most of the staff. If this isn’t good enough no worries; they have plenty of other trainers that will find ways to make you walk funny the next day. One more big plus for those thinking of joining is that there are no long term contracts. You can go month to month with at least a 30 day notice to the gym.
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Sounds great right? Well, this gym isn’t for everyone. For starts, this place can become packed! The spin classes require signing up in advance at the front desk because the classes are usually full. The free weights and benches always seem to be at a premium. I’ve been kicked out of the pool more then once so that seven Aqua Fit girls and walk around in the pool. Since joining back in January I’ve watched many of the trainers in action. My personal biggest pet peeve is when trainers who are working with clients do not pay attention their client. This is not just poor customer service but can also be dangerous if the person being trained is not using the equipment correctly. Unfortunately, I see a lot of this at L.A Fitness. Not all the trainers are like this but many are. If you are really thinking of getting in shape I would suggest hiring an outside trainer. I personally like Ralph Ferraiolo at Ferrailo Fitness who is also in Leesburg. I hired his staff to help my wife train for her first Triathlon a few years back and she had a very good experience.
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So, who is this gym really for? I would say if you are like the 80%- 90% of gym goers who like to workout a few times a week and don’t mind people socializing on equipment or can easily change your workout to avoid waiting for equipment this might be your gym. For me, this is one of the few local gyms I can swim and workout in the same spot. The only other place I can do that is Ida Lee in Leesburg but there equipment room is smaller then my high school weight room (not much of a stretch here!). If this sounds like you, I think you’ll like this place. Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10! I'll give them an extra point if they stop kicking me out of the pool;0)!
Enjoy!
Chuck
PS.. Want to follow this Gym's Rats training sessions? Chcek me out on DailyMile.com
