Ladies Choice Fitness (SE USA)

[tellico]

This is my review of Ladies Choice, where I've been a member for 4-5 months now.

Ladies Choice is a chain in the SE USA. You can use any LC gym, and supposedly there are 1100 affiliates throughout the nation, but I don't know who/where they are. It is the closest gym to me (i live in the country), and I like the women-only atmosphere. Since 70% of the people in there are not that serious, I can get around very efficiently. Often, I find the resistance has not even changed on the pin-stack machines since my previous workout 2-3 days earlier Lots of older (like 70,80,90 yr. old) women in there, too- one grandma, at least 85, crunches 20 lb. more than me on a resistance upper-ab machine!! I like that not everyone in there is a supermodel, therefore I am comfortable running in that company even though I know I'm a little more jiggly than I'd like to be!

Cost: comparable to local Gold's Gym (ave. $29/mo, depending on promotion), option to pay in full.

training: I've heard that you can get a personal trainer, but that's never been offered to me, so I have no idea what that entails or costs. Everyone gets an introductory plan for their cardio and weights, and monthly weigh in and measurements. the staff at my gym seems to be very limited in their knowledge and understanding, though- they kinda only know one routine to tell everyone.

classes: various aerobics/step/turbo kick, etc.- never done one, though.

Child care: yes (again, no personal experience)

Sales: supplements (never looked to see what they have, though), water, and a powerade machine. There is a free water fountain in the back.

Music: a local pop radio station- I.E., bring your own

Equipment:
Cardio- loads of treadmills, ellipticals, recumb. bikes (all Life Fitness brand), 2 normal bikes, 2 sprint runners. Most equipment is Polar HR ready (reads Polar HR monitors). 3 screens to watch TV (different channels), 50% of cardio equipment has place to plug in headphones to listen to the sound. Even at the busiest times, there are a couple of each machine open, so no waiting for your fave cardio machine!

Resistance- most machines you can imagine, grouped by body part. One grouping designed for circuit training, so it makes a nice flow from one exercise to the next with only 1-2 seconds rest necessary to get from one to the next. Almost all machines that require a grip have two grip options- one for shorter women (4'8"-5'8" or so) and one set further out for taller women (like me! 5'10", and I find the outter grips to be just right).

Dumbells- several pairs of low weights (2-25 lb.). Benches (but no incline that I've seen). Ab machines to do resistance ab work. no barbells in sight. 3 complete cable gyms. 1 chin bar. 1 chin/dip assist machine. 1 stand for doing leg raises (but for shorter women- my forearms are too long for the forearm pad. again, I'm 5'10". a few stands for back extensions and obliques.

2 Precor stretching machines.

Mirrors on every wall.

What could be better?
-45 deg. leg press
-barbells
-section with floormats
-heavybag
-better education for their trainers
-keep closer watch on idiots hurting themselves on the equipment!!
-more emphasis on stretching
-towel service
-rent-able lockers
-PRIVACY for showers- doors are glass! and a little privacy for dressing when you get out the shower, too. Women don't choose to walk around naked in locker rooms, people!!!
-real doors or curtains for dressing rooms- swing doors don't close, and with the wall mirrors, you are on display to the front door!
-area for stretching that doesn't involve sitting on nasty aerobic carpet. Also, a wall to do calf stretches and a ballet barre (for stretching, not ballet) would be nice.

So there you have it. Probably the best choice when compared to other women's fitness places. Probably a little below average when compared to overall gyms/fitness places.

[Insex]

Interesting overview, tellico.

Just out of curiosity, I was wondering if you could go into more detail about why you like the women-only atmosphere so much? How would you compare it to a normal gym?

I am just curious, because I've never been inside a women's-only gym (due to obvious reasons). Do women sign up for a membership for a women-only environment to get away from distractions (like men for example)? Or are there other reasons?

[tellico]

I'm sure every woman has her own reasons, but for me, it is because of two reasons:
1- I'm serious about my workouts, and I hate when guys come up to chat or interrupt to flirt. I feel that should be saved for other situations, or at least wait until washed/clothed/exiting the gym.

2- (kinda follows along with 1) I am self-concious about my body, but I"m not going to let that limit my workout to only things that don't jiggle my fat. However, when I'm working out with guys, I feel the pressure on my looks, and I just don't need to be worrying about anything but form and intensity when I work out.

3- (ok I added one)- I know guys well enough to know how they talk. I would be crushed to be the person that they made fun of in the locker room.

4- (ok I added another one)- I wouldn't wear my most comfortable workout clothes in the presence of guys, otherwise, they stare at my cleavage the whole time (I wear tank tops and sleeveless shirts, and am large-chested) or stare (in a bad way) at my fat in my leggings... which are of course my favorite thing to run in.

So to sum it up, I love men. I love working out. I want to look good for men. I do NOT look good working out. So I feel much less self concious in a women's environment. I can work out just as hard there

I hope that sheds some light on the subject?? I know some women like the ladies gyms because there is less pressure to be hard core, and there is an abundance of 2 lb dumbbells and cheesy classes and easy cardio to be had. But most of the right equipment is there to be serious, you just have to take advantage of it (my fave machine, for assisted pullups and dips, I've only ever seen used by one other person, one time, since I joined in October!)

By the way, thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog, it is encouraging!!

[gYmgIrL]

bump


I dont think I'd like to go to a Ladies only gym. I feel like the equipment wouldnt be as good an I dont really care about the the doofuses think!