Thursday, November 01, 2007

Girlfriends Fitness Center

I made a decision on which gym to join. Actually, it isn't a gym at all but a women's only "fitness center." I met with the owner, Shannon, yesterday and really liked her. The center is brand new and isn't even smelly, yet.

The fitness center appears to be similar in concept to Curves wherein you move around a circuit of machines and do some sort of aerobic activity between each machine session. Shannon told me that, if a person goes "all out," it's possible to burn around 700 calories in one 35 minute session. Since, I'm not an "all out" kind of girl, that probably won't happen to me. I'll probably go about "half out."

At Girlfriends Fitness Center, the aerobic activity includes the availability of steps of varying heights on which I will surely injure myself. (Release of indemnity forms were signed in duplicate.) This place also has an elliptical machine, treadmill and something else I didn't recognize, on which I will also, surely, injure myself.

The main reason I chose this place was for the location and the cost. It's so close to my house, I could walk there. I won't. But, I could. If I wanted to, that is. A full year membership required a $30 sign-up fee and $30 a month but it includes a year of free tans. Now, that's a deal.

Another big plus is that members have 24-hour access to the facilities so I never have to wonder what the gym hours are or have to hurry there after work. From what I hear, Curves has limited hours and isn't open on Sundays at all.

Now, I don't want all you local readers joining my club and hogging my machines, but I'll give you the information anyway, because I'm just that kind of full service blogger.

Girlfriends
5925 Phelan Boulevard
- same shopping center as Bella Bella, Bella Maman and Miller's Discount Liquor
Suite 1-2
Beaumont, TX 77702
409-860-4166

Accepting memberships during the following times:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

17 comments:

Susan in St. Paul said...

Yeah Laurie!

Just how many steps is it from your house to this place? ;-) Cost sounds really good for places around here, the sign up fees tend to be like $150 here.

I think convenience is an important factor. Curves here has limited hours, and they are all franchises. I think I would have kept going if they were open more hours.

I never hurt myself on any machines, but I would hurt myself somewhere else and have to skip some machines.

Free tans kind of counter-healthy, but if you are into it have fun.

Leon said...

So what you're trying to say is... i can't join 'cause im not a girl...

oh well!

i tried..

:P

Laurie said...

Susan - Sounded like a good deal to me, too.

Leon - You're not a girl and you live like a bazillion miles away. :)

TBM said...

The gym sounds very nice! Good luck with your new program.

Leon said...

Leon - You're not a girl and you live like a bazillion miles away. :)


Oh yeah! that too..! :P

Mommy said...

Good luck with the gym. Once, many years ago, I used my dad's credit card to buy a gym membership for myself. He wasn't happy, but he let me keep it. :) They really work if you stick to it.

I am suspicious of some Curves members... some of the ladies I know who go say how much they love it, etc. but never seem to lose any weight. Hmmm... I do know about 3 or 4 people that love Curves and it has worked for them.

Laurie said...

Just... - Thanks! :)

Leon - :)

Jen - I know what you mean. If I don't lose some weight and inches after a month or two, I'm going to kick it up until I do. I'm going to get my $360 a year worth.

Lorna said...

Before I would go to a gym called Girlfriends I would have to have an attitude transplant. And yeah, I know I should have one anyway.

And of course, nothing I say counts because I just quit my gym and am never going to go to another one in my lifetime.

Laurie said...

Lorna - I know what you mean about the name of the place. However, the price was too good to pass up. If anyone tries to get "girlfriendy-yaya-sisterhood-ish" with me, I'll bitch slap them for you...and for me.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a cool place. And year of free tans? SWEET!

Laurie said...

Leslie - I went for the first time tonight. It was great.

Susan in St. Paul said...

Yeah Laurie!

I went for my first night walk wearing my serious winter jacket (good to -20) tonight, I envy you your warm weather and nice work out place, even if it does have that weird name.

Laurie said...

Susan - I don't envy your cold weather and I'm amazed at all you guys up there who go for night walks and live every day lives in the bitter cold. I don't think I could do it.

Oh, and I agree about the name of my gym, but, seriously, the people there could not be nicer.

Susan in St. Paul said...

Was it Mary or Rhonda on the Mary Tyler Moore who moved to Minnesota because they would "keep better?" :-)

Laurie said...

Hahahahah!!!!!!!!! My guess would be Rhoda. I LOVED that show!

Anonymous said...

I just joined today and googled them when I got home. That's how I found your blog. And you're right...Shannon is great. I'm looking forward to the self-access. I'm also a member of Curves but their schedule isn't conducive to that of a paralegal. If you're the Laurie Shannon mentioned I'll probably see you there!

Laurie said...

Queen - See you there!