Along with my 30 day unlimited use pass to the Broomfield, Colorado 24 Hour Fitness club, I received three 50 minute sessions with a personal trainer. I also had unlimited access to their Group X classes and a chance to use their Kids’ Club. Here’s my review.
Personal training sessions
When I had called in to make my first appointment with a personal trainer, the club manager, Dave, scheduled me with Britini for the following Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Upon meeting her, I immediately liked Britini since she was friendly but professional. She lead me over to the trainers’ office area and had me fill out a physical activity and medical questionnaire. Then we discussed my current physical activity, my diet and my goals. I explained that I was trying out 24 Hour Fitness with a complimentary 30-day pass* for a blog review and that I was interested in learning some workout routines that I could do at home, on the road or at another fitness club.
She was glad to hear that I was on Weight Watchers, but recommended that I have an animal based protein (lean meat, eggs or yogurt) at every meal since I was trying to build muscle. She felt that nut or soy based proteins wouldn’t do the trick. Interesting.
Then we went over to a small room so Britini could take my weight, skin fold measurements, and body measurements. She estimated my body fat (in the unhealthy range still, crap!) and gave me a 6 week goal and a 16 week goal:
| Start | 6 weeks goal | 16 weeks (lifetime goal) | |
| Body Fat | 35.5% “unhealthy” |
31% “acceptable” | 23% ”fit” |
| Weight | 153.7 | 148 | 135 |
| Fat/Muscle Weight | 55/99 | 46/102 | 31/104 |
My workouts
Then she showed me core and balance exercises using a fit ball and a medicine ball. Then I did strength exercises like pushups and front and side planks.
Britini took me over to the weight area and I did some seated cable row exercises then using hand weights, seated rainbows. (Boy are those rainbows killer!) Finally we went to the basketball court and I did lunges and more lunges. (It’s nice to know that a year and a half after my knee surgery I shouldn’t be scared of lunges anymore. Doing them doesn’t hurt that much, finally.) She wrote down all the exercises and put them in a folder along with my measurements.
Then Britini showed me where she keeps my personal folder so when I come in I can grab it to see what I need to do. She also showed me her notebook up front where I need to log in to show what I’ve done that week. I liked that she kept a log notebook for all her clients since accountability is so important.
I met with Britini two more times. The second time she showed me how to use many of the weight machines. I also did more balance exercises (important for me because I’m getting older and am a bit of a klutz) and more lunges on the basketball court.
The third session involved circuit training using a bosu ball. My husband bought me a bosu for Mother’s Day and I’ve been too intimidated to use it. She showed me the proper way to get on it without falling – advice worth its weight in gold.
There was more cardio this time, too – lots of running up and down the basketball court and pretending to be John Cleese doing a Ministry of Silly Walks routine – kick one leg high while raising your opposite arm, high steps, kick backs (kicking yourself almost in the butt as you jog), side lunges, etc. Thank goodness no one had a Flip camera to capture those lovely moments.
I was sad that my time with Britini was up and probably would have purchased a few more sessions if I was a member. She invited me back in a couple of weeks – after my membership expires – to get measured again. I thought that her offer (which is a normal practice at the club) was terrific customer service.
Yoga Group X classes
I took three classes from three instructors over the course of two weeks at 24 Hour Fitness. Each instructor had her own way of doing the class, and I enjoyed their different styles and techniques. I had not taken a yoga class since I tore up my knee, so I was thrilled to be doing yoga again. Still, I now realize that I will never ever be able to sit on my heels again or fully go into child’s pose since the right knee can’t go down that far. Oh well.
The room was well ventilated and cool enough once we worked up a sweat. The professional sound system was a nice touch so you could hear the instructor over the music. However, I did hear some grumbling about our teacher in the women’s locker room after the Saturday class. I guess some of the patrons felt that day’s class was boring. Yet, I found it challenging but not so hard that I got discouraged. If you are a serious yoga practitioner, you should probably find a teacher you relate to and only take classes from him or her. For the more casual yoga practitioner, the classes at the club were great – a balance of relaxation and stretching and some challenging positions that will help you work up a sweat, too.
Kids club
Unexpectedly, I did have a chance to use the drop off childcare since my husband had other plans for the day. For my two kids it was $5 for 1.5 hours. Lucie, who is 6, had a great time. Nathan, who is 9, was bored and the little kids (it was mostly toddlers and preschoolers) bugged him. Oh well, he’ll survive.
Darn it, is my 30 days almost over?
All in all, I really enjoyed my time at 24 Hour Fitness and plan to go back a few more times until my 30 days is over. It’s really inspired me to kick up my fitness to the next level and start going to my local rec center.
However, if I lived nearby, I would think about buying a membership especially since you can get a 2 year membership for $299 through Costco (that’s $12.50 per month!) If you’re a Costco member, the deal is where they keep the discount cards to Spa Finders, etc.
*Full disclosure: Through Six Apart Media, I’ve been given a free 30 day unlimited use pass to 24 Hour Fitness, three 50 minute sessions with a personal trainer, a stipend for my time (the nearest club is 40 minutes away from my home) and a box of 24 Hour Fitness swag – a duffle bag, a fit ball, a small gym towel, a sports bar, a desk accessories set, and a pen.
