Gyms and workouts

Crossfit Lifesport, dowtown on Summit, north of Cherry, the hardest workout you'll ever love. Call Todd, the owner and trainer, 419-450-9056.

I really liked the Y but it's a little expensive compared to others. Ended up using Snap fitness. No pools, showers, just a huge room with pretty much everything you can think of to work out. But the best 2 parts it's relatively cheap, and is open 24/7. So if I want to go and work out at 5am before work I can :) dont know any other place that offers that flexibility.

Depends on the type of workout you are looking for. The Summit YMCA offers TRX classes that are great for every level (and really beat other traditional exercise routines-IMHO)

Go to www.fitnessanywhere.com if you are not familiar with TRX.

nana made a good suggestion. I'd also add the University of Toledo Rec Center, if you have any way to get a membership (non-students can get a student to sponsor their membership there). UTs Rec Center is probably the nicest workout facility I've ever been to.

It really depends on your motivation. If you're not very motivated, then I think nana's recommendation is very good. If you are motivated, then there are better deals.

GYMS: Does your insurance, if you have any, offer discounts to any local gyms? Look there first.

I wouldn't recommend Urban Active or Fitness 19 (or is it Fitness 21?) Both are too busy to get a good workout. Urban Active and Fitness 19/21 are always packed -- even during off hours. Not worth any discount deals that are available.

The YMCA/JCC of Toledo is the best deal I have found. If I go to the Y before 2 pm or after 6 pm then all machines and free weights are available. There may be a small wait for the cardio machines, but usually not more than 10 minutes. Also, adding a spouse/etc. to a Y membership is cheap -- 45$ for single membership and 55$ for 2 person membership.

WORKOUT ROUTINES: This is really going to be specialized. The workout depends on what you are trying to do with your body: gain muscle, lose fat, both? With the wealth of information on the internet, specialized trainers are not worthwhile.

If you're a male, then I'd recommend you check out this thread: http://forums.menshealth.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/855109121/m/156108723

The thread offers various possibilities for workouts. Also, the forum as a whole contains a great wealth of knowledge (workouts, supplements, support.)

Personally, I think Ian King's workouts are the best, as they work in 3 week intervals which prevent plateaus. Those are in the previous link and here: http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/twelve_weeks_to_super_strength_phase_i_chest_and_back;jsessionid=8736711B397D970D7D9F4B6A6075B3CD-hf.hydra

The link is to the Super Strength routine, but the routine can be supplemented by Ian King's Limping and stomach exercises (found on the same site). It all depends on how many days a week you plan on working out. If 5 days, then use Super Strength on Monday/Wednesday, Limping on Tuesday/Thursday and work in abs and other core exercises on those days and Friday. There really isn't a better routine -- and I've tried a lot.

If you use the Ian King exercises, then remember to take note of the tempo. Some exercises have a 21 tempo where you will do 7 reps at the top half of the movement, 7 for full movement and 7 for bottom half of the movement (which is explained on the website) and others have 1 1/3 tempo where you will do a full movement, comeback 1/3 of the way, then extend back to full movement. These tempos are essential for building you muscles!

PS.. welcome to Toledo -- America's red-headed stepchild. Glad and surprised that a person is moving to the area. Why did you move here, if you don't mind the question?

PPS: If you use the Ian King exercises, then I hope you have humility. The exercises are so brutal that you'll be lucky to lift a minimal amount of weight -- but the gains are amazing.

Thanks, JJ and all!

Jj, do you have an email I can contact you at?

kimbo--

I do, but not going to post it here. Post your email (or you can use a throwaway/anonymous email) and I'll reach you through my University of Michigan email.

I have to agree with nana.

Using crossfit I have gained 5 lbs but lost 10% bodyfat without any real change in diet. Plus the workouts most times are fun especially if you have someone to do challenges with like who can finish the workout fastest.

When I started it took me 30+ mins to do a workout. Now I can finish in 18 mins. Not many 18 min full body workouts out there.

I prefer gym workouts, but thanks for the crossfit recommendation. I assume they're similar to HIT or HIIT routines.

JJ, I'll create an anonymous email when I get home.

Just wondering, what is the monthly price of crossfit membership at Todd's place?

Ok, just looked up crossfit.160 dollars per month. This is a joke, right? The real prices are elsewhere on the site?

Kimbo, I created an email -- jjfad12345@gmail.com

Email me there. I charge less than 160$ a month. I charge 0$.

Will do JJ. Even when I lived in Seattle trainers weren't 160 a month. I hope that price was wrong.

I am a member at Fitness 4 All (used to be synergy performance fitness) $20 a month and no contract. Not in the love with the place but it's not a busy gym and they have everything I need. Kettlebells and other crossfit related equipment. Trainers are very knowledgeable should you need personal training.

sorry, kimbo, the price is right, it's a shame its out of your range. you'll pay more over the long term with not as good a result somewhere else, but it's totally up to you how hard you want to work at your workout. If you want machines and a sauna and a running track and people who let you eat whatever you want, then Crossfit is definately not for you. Have a nice life!

Nana, thanks on hoping a nice life for myself. Sorry I see 160 dollars as a scam.

Good results are up to the person and their abilities/research. As far as "people who let you eat whatever you want", I'm in control of what and when I eat. I like to control myself rather than have others control me.

Thanks for the introduction to Toledo.

I use powerhouse, it's full of muscleheads but it super cheap. 160 bucks a month is a ton of change! I can press my body weight, do 17 - 20 chin ups, and run 2 miles a couple of times a week. None of it came from a crazy system, just putting in the work and putting down the fork.

I guess I don't feel the need to give someone 160 bucks to be in EXTREME shape. God bless those of you who have that time and energy, it's just about being healthy for me.

I like Anytime Fitness. My trouble is that I don't like it well enough.

JJFAD - Thanks for the links!

DBW8906 - Being able to press your own body weight is impressive. Congratulations!

$160 per month is a lot of bread, but there may be extra services thrown in. I know one place in Florida where your PT will call you one hour or so before your appointment to remind you to show up. That includes early morning apts.

I go (or should I say went) to LifeStyles for Ladies Only until recently. One day out of the blue they sent a postcard in the mail asking members to pay an additional $25 for machine maintenance - this is after hearing about all the problems at the south toledo (?) location. Now they are getting rid of trainers that they have had for years - I am assuming to hire in people for less $$. REALLY DISAPPOINTING!!! I DON'T RECOMMEND THEM!

JJfad, can we get some tee shirts made: Toledo -- America's Red-Headed Stepchild? We could also vote on annual awards, for the people/media outlets/etc. who have disparaged our fine burg the most :-)

I would buy one of those shirts if we could get a picture of carty screaming on the front with "The Fink" on the back

I like the carty idea. Could easily photoshop some red hair on him (upso?).

I also like "The Fink" or perhaps the back could say, "...but we have a really, really nice bridge!"

kimbo, don't take offense, you asked for suggestions, which are tantamount to opinions, and I gave you mine, no offense meant. from your post, you didn't sound like someone who knew what they were doing, asking for workout routines and such, so I offered what may have been the only suggestion for Crossfit. It's for some, not for others, no big deal. Hope you find something you like here! carry on! :)