Selecting A Gym
RUTHAN BRODSKY
Special to the Jewish News
G
etting in shape has been a
longtime goal of 39-year-
old Valerie Hayman Sklar
of West Bloomfield.
She tried different approaches: aero-
bic fitness, muscle toning, joining
Curves for a few months, buying a
treadmill for home. Nothing worked.
The mother of two boys ages 7 and
9, a wife, and owner of a business,
Corporate Specialties, Sklar had built-
in excuses not to go to a gym.
"When I'm not driving the boys
somewhere, I'm sitting in my office,
talking to customers on the phone or
e-mailing factories, and helping people
market their businesses with promo-
tional -products," says Sklar. "I need
an exercise buddy to go with me or
someone to motivate me."
She found her solution at Fitness
Together in West Bloomfield. Sklar
works out with a personal trainer who
supervises, encourages and cajoles her
into reaching her goals.
"I like the idea that I'm in a private
area and there's someone holding me
to my commitment," says Sklar. "I
even paid in advance for a series,
which makes me even more motivat-
ed."
Many gyms give prospective clients
2-3 guest passes to try out the facility.
That's the time to find out if the gym
happens to be the busiest when you
plan on coming, or if the fitness class-
es are the kind you want.
Melissa Rudin, 34, and husband
Mike, 35, of West Bloomfield work
out at Power House Gym, West
Bloomfield. They have the same per-
sonal trainer, and have followed him
from gym to gym for three years.
"I've worked with him for two years,
after our last child was born," says
Melissa. "We both work out at least
three times a week, and use kickbox-
ing as our primary cardio exercise. I'm
out the door first for a 7 a.m. training
session while Mike stays with the kids.
When I return home, Mike goes to
the gym.
"I sometimes work out in a kickbox-
ing class or on my own, warming up
with 10 minutes of jumping rope and
then lifting weights. No matter how
dark and how early it
is in the morning,
after _two minutes of
working out, I'm
feeling good about
my commitment."
Staff photos by Angie Baan
The right place for you can make a major difference.
Pro Advice
"There are lots of
places to work out in
the metro area and
some are better than
others," explains Steve
Jacob of Birmingham,
owner of the Madison
Athletic Club in
Madison Heights.
"When working out
without a personal
trainer, members need
to know that there are
professional trainers
on the gym floor,
making sure members
use the equipment cor-
rectly and advising them
Marla Golnick and Alyssa Moss work out at the ICC
how to work different
muscle groups. ),
For those who have a
longtime runner, Sefton is well aware
tough time staying motivated, it's a
of the importance of cross-training,
good idea to get a friend or family
especially for middle-aged men.
member to join you, holding you
"Power House is close to my office,
accountable and encouraging you to
has all the equipment I need and the
maintain your fitness regime.
staff is friendly," says Sefton. "I also
Thirty-five-year-old Alyssa Moss, a
joined the kickboxing classes when
West Bloomfield attorney, drops her
Ken Levy moved to Power House."
kids off at nursery school and meets
Becky Hayman, 31, of West
two workout buddies at the Jewish
Bloomfield, is another young. mother •
Community Center in West
who works out at the JCC. "I joined
Bloomfield.
the Center after they closed the nurs-
"We joined the JCC because of its
ery at Orchard Lake's Power House
great baby-sitting program, including
Gym," says Hayman. "If I had the
two hours of free baby-sitting," says
time, I'd work out twice as much. The
Moss. "The location is convenient,
facility is female-friendly, clean, new
the facility is new and exciting, and
and the service is top notch. After
the equipment is top of the line. We're
working out, I can shower, enjoy a cup
at the Center three or four times a
of coffee with friends, pick up my kids
week, joining the cardio classes and
and be on my way."
having fun while getting in shape."
Husband Steve, 38, who practices
dentistry in Southfield, recently start-
More Than A Gym
ed working out at Gold's Gym in
Joe Sterns, 50, of White Lake loves
Wixom. "I have a friend who works
working out at the JCC. "It was always
out at Gold's and he convinced me to
a major part of my life, even as a kid,"
join him, " says Steve. "We work
explains Sterns. The Center is more
mostly with free weights."
than a health club to me because the
Allen Sefton, 57, of Beverly Hills
camaraderie of being with other Jewish
works out at Power House Gym. A
.
people is meaningful for me."
Bruce Hulman, 58, of West
Bloomfield selected the JCC as his
gym because it has a pool. "I like hav-
ing the Jewish connection and the
equipment that I want is all there,"
says Hulman. "And I like the fact that
activities are co-edand that more
women are taking on leadership roles
in the training."
Bill Ellison., 60, of Beverly Hills,
prefers working out at CMI in
Southfield. "The locatiorf is conven-
ient. I frequently use their aquatic
training program for resistance exer-
cise, and I like their hours because I'm
frequently on the road." He's with
ADI alarm systems.
Not all gyms are for everyone. Some
concentrate more on muscle than fit-
ness. A good idea is to try a gym at
different times to see the variety of
people. If it isn't what you're looking
for, try another. When you find the
right place to work out and you feel
comfortable, it won't be a chore to go
to the gym.
SELECTING A GYM on page 38
a AA
3/12
2004
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