Well, guys, our experience at the gym this morning can be summed-up in three words: inexpensive, outdated, and filthy. The cost of the monthly membership was cheap (about a 1/3 of the cost of Healthworks), but the equipment was in rough shape. The gym had a TON of equipment, but the majority of it wasn’t well-maintained. Many of the dumbbells were mismatched and quite a few of the seats on the Nautilus equipment were ripped and falling apart. Plus, most of it looked like it hadn’t been updated in decades! The cardio equipment, in particular, seemed like it had never ever been cleaned– grime covered the foot plates on the elliptical and random debris (i.e. trash and snot rags) was shoved into the holders on the sides of the treadmills. Gross! (The women’s locker room was dirty, too!) I admit that I am a bit of a gym snob, especially after being a member at amazing healthclubs, like Healthworks and Mount Auburn Club, so it’s hard for me not to compare. But, honestly, this gym was pretty bad. I guess you get what you pay for!
Even though I won’t be joining this gym anytime soon, I did have a decent workout. I did 30 minutes on the Arc Trainer, followed by 20 minutes on the bike, and finished up with about 15 minutes of abs.
Lunch
This afternoon’s lunch was very satisfying with all of its different flavors and textures. I started with veggie and wild rice soup that I plumped-up with 1/4 cup of wheat berries.
On the side, I had some TJ’s crackers and cottage cheese with granola mixed in.
It’s still snowing quite a lot here in Boston, so I’m not sure if Mal and I are going to venture out to a football get-together this afternoon or just stay put at home. Snow always kills my motivation. 
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Yuck – snow kills my motivation too. Thank goodness I have tomorrow off because there is no way I am going food shopping in this mess. What gym did you try if you don’t mind my asking?
Hey tina! its all snowy and sweet over in CT as well-football/fire/tea afternoon for me and the fam!
Eeeek, so sorry about the gym!!
That is so unacceptable! You might want to just go to Harvard’s gym once you start next week? Usually universities give discounts to spouses of full-time employees as well for gym memberships.
EWWWW that gym sounds gross! I belong to a gym that is only $10.99 per month but is very, very clean. There are no classes offered which I miss but it’s hard to pass up so a low fee. Plus, its a newer gym so all of the equiptment is new. Good luck on your search!
ewww on the gym report. at least you know now that it’s not worth it!
aw no, bummer about the gym! i sure do miss penn’s gym… still need to find somewhere to swim w/o killing the budget! i’ve done some searching, but do you know anyone with experience up here?
Ewwww…. dirty equipment is gross! Maybe if they cleaned it they could charge a bit more for membership.
I feel like I end up hibernating for the majority of the winter, rarely leaving my house. I just CAN’T brave the cold and snow, it’s too gross.
What’s more gross though is the sounds of that gym. Disgusting!
Hey Tina – you should totally join the Harvard gyms! I’m pretty sure they allow for spouses to join, and they have really nice equipment and great classes, most of which are free (with membership). I’m not positive, but I think the employee joining rate is really pretty low – something like 20 dollars a semester…
Yuck – dirty gym does not sound fun!
can you somehow make the gym in your building better? and isn’t there a gym at Havard that you can use? I know that I could use Plymouth’s facilities if we lived closer
Eewww, that gym sounds nasty!!!
Yuck–what a horrible experience! That sucks
I’m hope the right one comes along soon. At least you got a good workout in.
I’m with you as I am a total gym snob. I do not look forward to my workouts nearly as much if I’m forced to use outdated and dirty equipment. I am so fortunate to belong to the Y down here in Nashville. Our Y’s are awesome. So many to choose from, and they are all updated and clean!
Your lunch sounds very warm and totally satisfying on a cold and snowy day. Have a fun football filled afternoon whether you venture our or stay at home.
Ugh that sounds disgusting. Hope you find a better place!
aw sorry about the gym- not very motivating, huh?
Kelly Turner
http://www.everygymsnightmare.com
too bad about the bad gym!
ew sounds awful. It’s definitely true you get what you pay for. I pay a really low price and all the machines are clean and up to date but there are no classes offered at first it didn’t bother me but my next gym definitely will have to.
Booo, that gym sounds gross!
Ew on the toilet gym. Our gym is clean and I still pump the hell out of the hand sanitizer on the wall.
I’m loving the placemats you have…they give a lot of depth to your pictures!
Ewww – definitely don’t go to that gym
Oh, I know! The difference between the 30/mo gym a couple blocks from my apartment and the MUCH more expensive one I spend all my money on next door to my apartment is RIDICULOUS – and SO worth it!
Wow – sorry to hear about what’s happened – but it seems like lunch has TOTALLY made up for it.
Eww, that gym sounds nasty! I’m a bit of a gym snob too, but seriously how can people work out in filthy gyms? I wouldn’t want extra excuses not to work out.
Those crackers look delicious. I need to look out for them at TJ’s. Love TJ’s!!
That gym sounds nasty!
Your lunch looks delicious!
ugh, what a horrendous gym experience! that cottage cheese + granola looks so good!
Come work out at the Marino over at NU – you’d be amazed!!
aw, i’m so sorry to hear that the new gym was a bust! and i agree about the cold weather… is it spring yet??
I used to go to NU and the Marino is AMAZING. So much equipment and it is kept in great shape. I miss it!
that stinks about the gym – at least you tried!
I have got to move closer to a TJ’s – those crackers look awesome
Dang it- sorry the gym wasn’t up to par. I think I am a bit of a gym snob as well. I hate really old equipment and there are too many sweaty people in a gym for it not to be really clean!
Good luck on your first day Tina!!
@Julie: It was Super Fitness.
@ttfn300: A lot of the YMCAs in the area have pools and are affordable.