Bliss

One of the things that I *need* in life is a good gym. I am one of those people who, before having kids, rarely missed a day at the gym. I much prefer to work out in a gym verses outdoors, which is totally the opposite of Lee, who has never in his life joined a gym. I love to just get on a cardio machine, listen to music, read a magazine, and zone out. I can't do it nearly as often now as I used to, but I still try to make it there a few days a week. (Thanks to Lee, who usually lets me go on both Saturdays and Sundays!)

Since moving here a year ago, I've tried out 7 different gyms, and I've been a member of 4. I just cannot seem to find the right one, and each leaves something to be desired. If the gym is good, the childcare is terrible. If the childcare is decent...wait, that hasn't happened yet.

The most recent gym I belonged to was brand new and very nice by most gym standards. Each piece of equipment had it's own tv set, and one of the channels was to the childcare room. This was not so fun, however, because I spent most of my workout watching Colby sulking while clutching Ducky for dear life. I never made it past 20 minutes....he just didn't like it there, and I didn't like the set up for him. It has been frustrating, and I just haven't found the right fit for us.

Until now.

*cue angels singing*

One week ago, I found the mecca of all gyms. It's absolutely amazing, and I am so excited about it.

First of all, when you walk in, it feels more like the lobby of the Four Seasons Costa Rica (where we went on our honeymoon) than an actual gym. There are beautiful bamboo floors, large tropical plants, stone fountains, stainless steel fixtures, dark wood accents....and it has a eucalyptus aromatherapy type of smell to it. To check in, they do not require one of those bulky gym cards or a key chain thingy. Oh no. They scan your fingerprint, of course. (It's the wave of the future I hear)

Once you go down the stairs to the main area, it's an endless sea of cardio equipment, fitness balls, flat screen tv's, rooms for classes, large stretching areas (what many of the gyms seem to lack) and trainers. Oh....and the dress code. Silly me wore a pair of running shorts, which I quickly learned was a fashion faux pas. Anyone who is serious about working out apparently wears black leggings- didn't you know?? (full length must be boot cut, but capri length can be either boot cut or fitted...don't forget)

I have taken 2 classes so far, and they were both great. It isn't crowded at all, and in fact, seems much more empty than any other gym I've been to. The women's locker room is much like a fancy hotel bathroom- there are free lotions, mouth wash, q-tips, hair spray, shampoos, towels, hair dryers....you name it. And it smells good! I think that's one of my favorite things, because most gyms do NOT smell good.

While you are working out, it isn't unusual for have a trainer come by and ask if you need anything, or hand you a towel. Or ask if you'd like to be stretched afterwards. (never in a million years would I say yes to that...just...weird)

Oh, and the BEST part about this gym (besides the fact that it's less than 10 minutes from our house)? I took Colby 2 days ago, and he LOVED it. The childcare room is great, and unlike other child care areas with nasty carpet, it's a hard surface that can be cleaned. VERY important. (I tried out one place last summer that had 80 kids at one time- can you imagine the germs???? That's how Colby got a horrible stomach flu that he spread to his entire birthday party) Anyway, Colby was upset for the first few minutes, but when I checked on him 5 minutes later, he was running around the room with Ducky just as happy as he could be. I worked out for an hour and when I picked him up, he didn't want to leave!!!! Now that's a sign that he had a good time. I was so happy I almost cried.

However, this gym is missing one thing. One thing I have seen in every other gym....and I've belonged to many in my lifetime. What could it be?

*cue angels singing*

MEATHEADS. Tank top wearing, muscle flexing, loud grunting, weight lifting, mirror admiring, women stalking, vein popping, self-tanning, protein powder drinking, chest shaving meatheads. Somehow, there's not a one to be found in this gym. There are men there, but the women out number them, and they aren't strutting around flexing their muscles in the mirror like in most gyms.

Of course, there's a price to be paid for all this fabulousness. But...when you consider the cost of sanity, it's really not that bad. And I am SOOOOOO happy!!!!