In light of the new year and the many resolutions being made, we wrote a blog post about Three Things to Know About Joining a Gym in January.
To elaborate upon those points and offer specifics to our community, we met with employees of Canton’s very own Summit on the Park, Jennifer and Sarah, who provided valuable information about their facilities and what to expect if you use them.
Many people create New Year’s resolutions to get fit, lose weight or tone up. In a recent blog post, we discussed three things to know when joining a gym in January to give people a heads-up that they haven’t gone to a gym in a while. Traffic was one point of it. What do you find are the best times to visit the Summit for people who might be nervous about getting started and may want to start with more privacy until they get comfortable?
"The most private time is during lunch, from 11:30 AM-2:30 PM. After that, a lot of teens show up after school to exercise, so it does get busier. Apart from the 'after school' crowd, there’s also the 'after work' crowd and the 'after dinner' crowd."
Another point was understanding gym etiquette and mentally preparing for others not to understand it. What is one thing you think is very important for people to understand when it comes to proper gym etiquette?
"With tech being at the forefront of everything people do, people spend a lot of time on their phones, which can lead to backup of equipment times. We are a smaller facility; we don’t have lots of space and are very popular, so making sure you are not holding someone else up is important. And we all do it: sometimes you’ll get a work email and be reading it and not think about your surroundings. Do your reps, but if you need to check the phone, sit off to the side, grab a drink, don’t be intrusive to other people. Offer for others to work in your space if you are comfortable.
Headphones as well. You want to keep them at a level where you can hear people around you. Someone may be trying to ask you something, like if you wouldn't mind swapping machines with them."
Sarah, you’re a certified personal trainer; let’s say you’re preparing for your first workout at the Summit. What do you recommend eating before? How soon before?
"It depends on the duration of the workout and how fit you are. One to two hours before, you want a little carbs and a little bit of protein. For example, a banana and granola bar or it could be a peanut butter sandwich or oatmeal with berries. Some people’s stomachs can’t handle dairy, so maybe a protein smoothie. But something light, it doesn’t need to be much. And hydrate. Hydrate before you come in—before, during, and after the workout."
How should someone new to working out begin to develop a routine? How do they know which parts of their body they should work on and for how long?
"A consultation appointment with a trainer is great for figuring out your goals. You don’t have to commit to a schedule; you can just see a trainer one time for $18 for 30 minutes if you want. But no matter how you find a routine, you cannot 'spot train.' This is so important."
What does it mean to “spot train?”
"If you want to work your arms, for example, just working your arms doesn't give you the results you're looking for. You should train your whole body. You can’t change the tires on a Ford and say, 'I have a Porsche.'"
What classes do you offer for groups? Any one-on-one training?
"We have over 70 fitness classes a week—something for everybody. They range from small to big, gentle to intense. We have senior fitness, beginner, intermediate and advanced classes. Most classes are included in the membership. We do offer daily drop-ins, but it can be difficult to find those extra spots because our classes are so popular.
We have several trainers on staff, each with their own strengths. We hired a new one recently who got into personal training because he felt the discomfort of walking into a gym without knowing how to get started. He now works to alleviate that anxiety for other people."
Joining a new gym can be tough. People often don’t acknowledge that it takes courage to walk into a place you’ve never been to do something you’ve perhaps never done. What would you say to encourage someone reluctant to start, someone who might be coming alone with no friends or moral support?
"If you asked everyone else who was also at the gym, you would see there are other first-timers. Ask anyone else how they felt the first time, and you will realize you are not alone. Everyone who goes to a gym was a beginner at one point. Show us how brave you are. You can do it."
You've done an excellent job of discussing less busy times of day, establishing a welcoming culture, giving tips on etiquette and diet and briefly discussing options for classes and personal trainers. As someone who often greets guests at the front desk, why do you think the Summit is a uniquely great place to exercise? What can you tell our community to excite them for their first visit?
"It’s more like a family here, not just a workout place. Our front desk staff will know your name. We offer more than just scanning a barcode, more than just a workout. We’ll get you connected with people. We’ve sent cards to guests in the past that were sick. We try our best to make everybody feel like family. Our people start to show up 15 to 20 minutes before we open. They have to wait in line because there are so many, and they all seem to know each other. We see them chatting all the time while waiting outside. It’s really cute.
We also update our equipment every year. We are always open to hearing about the latest fitness equipment and trends to better our facility. There’s something here for everyone. We hope to see you soon. Drop in, say hi and take a tour. Canton residents are eligible for a one-week free trial."
The Summit on the Park offers membership options for individuals, groups, families, and even couples. In addition to the fitness center’s wide array of equipment, there is also a 7,600 square-foot gymnasium for basketball and running (complete with an indoor track), pools for aquatic classes, a 55+ club with pool tables and space for socializing, and even themed birthday parties for children. For more information, visit their website.
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