Workout tips: Make it past February -- and the cookies
Forget Democrats and Republicans. There are two types of people in the world: those who work out and those who want to work out.
Which is why there are 31 flavors of gym.
Regular gym, clubby gym, neighborhood gym, sports gym (like tennis, racquetball or bare-knuckle boxing).
And then there are the hybrid gyms. These started out as regular gyms back in the day but wanted to attract more market share, so they added yoga, Pilates, barre or Zumba. First, it was just classes in the back room, but then as it became clear the disciplines were like cats and dogs, there was a split and we saw the rise of the corner yoga retreat.
Amid this sea of wunder-Lululemons and Under Armour titanium, however, lies a simple, noble goal: get healthy.
But if there are so many choices, where do you start? For most neighborhood fitness centers, it’s first about the relationship.
“We’ve really worked hard at building a friendly, connected community,” said Laura Fox, co-owner of Defy Gravity in Corona del Mar. “We know pretty much everyone who comes in. We know their goals. Our clients know we’re with them.”
Fox and business partner Shannon Barbadian offer the new hybrid model of exercise. They combine spin with Pilates to give both cardio and core training.
They also use new Bodhi ropes, which some people call “yoga on ropes,” to expand the workout.
“It’s the ‘supermodel workout,’ ” said Fox, who explained that the Bodhi workout system is trendy in Hollywood right now.
For Fox, however, who has been a fitness trainer for 17 years, it’s not about being trendy.
“It’s strength and stretch,” she said. “Pilates has always stuck to its guns because it works.”
Regardless of your particular type of exercise, the sweat business is big business, especially this time of year.
Not surprisingly, January rules. Various industry statistics indicate that roughly 80% of the people who join a gym in January will quit within five months. And 4% of the newbies won’t make it past the end of January, according to a Harris Interactive survey. By February, 14% drop out.
And yet, despite the turnover, fitness continues to grow. According to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Assn., one of the world’s largest fitness trade organizations, the $85-billion global market has grown nearly every year since 2000.
In the U.S. alone, there are more than 54 million health club members, up 65% from 2000. And with an average monthly cost between $40 and $50, excluding a customary initiation fee, the club owners have a steady income.
For those gym-goers who don’t belong to the large chain centers, the monthly costs are often higher, especially if extra classes are offered.
Interestingly, California residents, with their healthy reputation, are not the nation’s largest users of gyms. It’s places with rain, sleet and snow, which makes sense. Californians can just run on the beach or hike up a trail, usually year-round.
In fact, out of 20 large cities across the country, Los Angeles ranks last in gym spending. Top spenders are St. Louis, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Madison, Boston and Seattle.
Of the five U.S. cities that spent the least on gyms, four were in Southern California: Whittier, Fontana, Ontario and Pomona.
Back in Orange County, Fox said it’s all about establishing a can-do attitude. Most people limp into gyms in January, hoping for makeovers but not looking forward to the burn.
The key is to make the first step.
“It builds confidence,” she said. “There’s a whole emotional component to working out. People get addicted to results. All the movement is both mind-body. It’s very thoughtful.”
For those who want to go to Defy Gravity, you have to be ready to defy temptation. The club is directly above a popular ice cream and candy store.
“I know, it’s ironic,” Fox said, shaking her head. “You walk down the stairs and you can smell the cookies baking, and you’re like, really?”
So maybe if you work out first, one cookie won’t hurt.
DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.