exactly! that's another benefit of exercising regularly and having an overall, healthy lifestyle. going to the gym can relieve so much stress especially after a difficult/draining day. no matter how beat up and tired i feel after work, running a few miles makes me feel better and actually LESS tired. not only does exercising help you physically, it can do heaps for you emotionally as well. :thumbup:

The place I used to go is called "Healthworks". It is only in Boston area, and it was a best women's gym in the US (in the sports magazine). It was very very nice and I loved it but then I changed my work, so it became kinda far. I also wanted to take some time off until I get a driver license. Then when I was about to restart the membership, they increased the price. It was expensive to start with and my bf was paying it for me, but I started feeling bad. It is 1.5 time or more expensive than Bally's. So I cancelled the membership and have been thinking about joining Bally's. There are two of them fairly close to my house. And the great thing is that some colleagues are members of Bally, so I was hoping that we could go together sometimes.

I am gonna think about it a little bit more.

The 24 hour fitness centers are really popular here in kansas city. They do not have the see and be seen environment of Golds or Balley.

I go to Curves and I love it! 32 pounds so far!!!!

some health insurance plans will cover part of your gym membership if you go a certain amount of times/year. definitely check into that since i know ballys accepts some insurances.

a gym is what you make of it. if you go with the goal of trying to be fit and healthy, you'll get there with dedication and hard work. if others go to the gym in attempts to look cutesy, well then those people are just wasting money, but it's no skin off your back. ;)

i go to crunch which is a subsidiary of bally's and really like it. yes it has a bit of a see and be seen feel to it. but i'm rather oblivious to it. i'm there to work out, and then i wash up and go home. the classes are great, the instructor and trainers are motivating, the equipment is top notch.

i like the fact that some of the equipment is flexible to people of various sizes, not just the average caucasian male and female. for instance, the typical weight machine that exercises your pecs (the butterfly machine) isn't suitable for petite females. even at the "best setting", i still need a booster seat to use it comfortably and be in the right posture.

another thing i like about my gym is the amenities and cleanliness. the cleanliness is definitely what sold me on the place. there is a locker room attendent at all times either sweeping and mopping the floors or washing down the showers and picking up hair from the drains. there's always soap, shampoo, and conditioner in the dispensers. and there are attendents who walk around the facilities and wipe down the equipments should a member forget. there are fresh towels for member use should you forget your own. i've been to other gyms before where i don't even want to go into the locker rooms because they are just so gross.

my only complaint about my gym is that it's pricy. but i also think the price keeps it maintained as well as it is without it being impacted with people all hours of the day.

i would recommend that you visit various gyms in your area and decide what's best for you. good luck! once you get into the routine of exercise, it can be addicting!!

I used to go to Bally's and I really liked it but it was just too far from my house and too crowded. My local Bally's is sooooo stinkin' packed. I suggest you go "check it out" during its peak hours or at least during the time frame that you think you want to go work out because they will probobly make you sign up for a year and you might find that if you have to got between 5 pm-8pm you will really not enjoy it and wish you didnt join. I had to wait my turn just to get on a machine and I am not a patient person and waiting for a machine to open up just killed my desire to work out. Now this was back when I worked 8-5. If you can go during the day its awesome :thumbup:

Bowflex
 

I have a Bowflex Ultimate 2 gym at home in my garage that I work out on 3 times a week. We bought it about 3 months ago, and so far I love it! We live out in the country, so it's easier to have one at the house rather than drive to town just to go to the gym.