From Shari:
Let’s be real, the gym doesn’t need to be scary or intimidating. I know that is easier said than done. I have been there. I used to go to the gym and get extremely intimidated and end up just doing small workouts that didn’t utilize any of the machines or other numerous amounts of equipment available to me. It’s also worth mentioning that there was a time where I loved group classes BUT getting up at 4:30 am almost every weekday eventually wore me down. To be honest, my inconsistencies with exercise have been confusing over the years. I have gone from expensive barre classes to cheap box gym memberships and so many others in between. But like everything, there is a season and I have found myself at a local gym where I see it as an extended home gym with so many options. I now think of the gym as a sacred space for me to sweat and get my heart pumping; it’s a place I look forward to going, whenever I can.
How did I get to this current moment of loving my gym? Here is how… I knew pretty quickly into “at home workouts” in 2019 that I missed the gym. Nothing against home workouts but I know myself and I need the physical location of a gym. The machines, the classes, and mostly the separate space to work out rather than my cozy living room. My husband and I visited several gyms at the end of that year and I am so glad we did because we found the perfect gym for us and it was close to home. Everything about the gym drew us to it, from the reasonable cost of membership, to 24 hour access 7 days a week, to the open floor plan and less crowded space. It was an easy decision and so we decided to join.
Then Covid happened… and we were back to at-home workouts, bike rides, and outdoor activities. Which was fun but not quite the same as going to the gym. We counted down the days until our new-to-us gym would open back up and we could get into some sort of routine.
Finally the gym reopened and we have been diligently going ever since. My husband, Alex, and I have a routine now, we start with cardio and transition into weight training (usually targeting a specific muscle group). When we first started I would walk around the gym aimlessly and get a little overwhelmed but Alex would find exercises based on what body part he wanted to focus on and eventually I caught on and started to do the same. We even lift together several times a week! We always start with cardio and a good 10-20 minutes of getting our heart rate up. Then we pick 5 or 6 different workouts that target a specific part of the body… back, arms, shoulders, legs, or core and we do each exercise in sets of 5, the reps of each depend on the exercise we choose. To be honest, I prefer doing exercises in sets of 3 but Alex pushing the 4th and 5th set have been the game changer for me. I think I get tired of the repetition or exhausting a certain muscle group but in reality – that is the point, to break the muscle down to build it back up!
I truly look forward to the gym these days. It’s hard to explain the rush of excitement at the thought of going and working out. Maybe it is because I am finally noticing a difference or maybe it is the rush of endorphins. Whatever it is, I am thankful that I get to experience a healthy and happy relationship with the gym. I wish this for everyone so please reach out if you have any questions about the gym and what to do there. I am happy to help!
From Kendall:
I love working out. Before getting pregnant I was in great shape and was doing crazy PIIT workouts (Pilates Intensity Interval Training) and running about 5k multiple days a week. Then during pregnancy I stopped working out. Every time I went to do something, my stomach pulled in this super uncomfortable way. It hurt. So I listened to my doctor and stopped. After giving birth, I had a hard time finding that fire to get back in it. I was constantly breastfeeding AND leaking milk all the time. I preferred to just stay relatively still.
In late December of 2019, I re-committed myself to getting back in the gym. Lucky for me, that ended up being in my basement. Considering how 2020 turned out, I am beyond grateful that my husband built us an amazing and functional gym space. Phew. Anyways, I was a SLOW starter those first few months. Due to a variety of factors I mainly did quick 15 minute HIITS. Sadly, those kicked my butt. But then, I got better and stronger so I upped my workouts to longer HIITS. After about 3 months, my husband (a total gym nerd) started me on muscle group workouts. And that’s when I began to notice a huge difference in my body.
Everybody has a different threshold of what they can handle. Further, everybody has something different they want to accomplish with being in the gym. For me it has become about staying healthy and, honestly, soaking up the ONLY alone time I get all day. When I am in the gym it’s just me and my music or audiobook. It’s 100% my time where I focus on strengthening my body, pushing it to train harder, and care only about myself.
I do not have a model’s body- and I am cool with that. But I have amazing endurance, strength, and focus. I want my daughter to see that her mom is healthy. I want her to see that being active is a normal and essential part of life. Sure, she can watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin five times in a row (and no I am not kidding) but she also LOVES running around outside, going on walks, and climbing the ladders at the park. She is a super active kid and working out consistently has helped me to keep up with her.
Every week I average about 4-5 days of gym time. I love it. I have actually changed in that I NEED to workout regularly. IF I don’t, I am irritable. Being in the gym has been beneficial to myself not only physically, but mentally as well. Endorphins are key to being happy and I definitely feel them. Something else the gym has done is give me stamina… you know the kind I am talking about. I have no shame in saying that my appetite for that part of my relationship came back with a fierce vengeance as my body started building more muscle and cardio endurance. So not only is that part of my life on fire but I am also able to keep up with my toddler… all because of my time in the gym. Being in the gym is truly my time to mentally vision board who I am and where I am going.
Anyways, here are some of my tips and tricks for getting back in the gym, staying at the gym, and evolving your workouts:
- Get a pre-workout supplement you like. I love Advocare Spark. Consult your doctor before trying any product.
- Stay consistent with your gym time. Creating a routine where working out is done at the same time is key to making it part of your life and muscle memory.
- For home gyms: shop sales for equipment AND make sure to use your CC for purchases until they arrive in the mail. There are A LOT of scammers out there and banks are a lot more lenient on helping you out if it is a CC transaction.
- For gym memberships: make a list of what is important to you on your health journey. Do you want a gym that offers Zumba classes? Do you want a gym that has a great crossfit set up? Don’t waste money on a gym you aren’t committed to. Find a place that gives you the specific resources you need to succeed in your fitness goals.
- Change it up! I get bored doing the same thing every day. PLUS- it doesn’t actually do your body justice to serve it the same workouts every day. Mix it up! Make Monday your leg day followed by cardio Tuesday and so on. If you want a sample workout schedule, let me know. My husband and I can help draft one for you. His arms don’t lie- he works out.
- Give yourself rest. IF you injure yourself determine if you need to take a few days off or if you can push through. Don’t think you are a failure for taking the rest. Sometimes that rest can keep you out of the hospital!
- Stretch! Ok- I am the worst at this. But you should really do it. And I am constantly trying to be better about it! Stretching is good for your muscles AND your mental focus.
Alright, get in the gym. Get your heart rate going and PUMP IT UP! And if you need some inspo, check out The Rock’s insta. Holy hell. My workouts are downright cute next to his. But hey, I still do it!
The Salty Exchange 