Top 8.5 Tips For More Efficient Workouts In Unfamiliar Gyms

I’m traveling yet again.  And forced to workout in an unfamiliar gym.  (I say “forced” but actually going to a new gym is, for me, like going to a new playground.  I simply love new toys!)

I’ve written a lot over the past couple months about my experiences with commercial gyms while traveling.

Yeah, despite my love of just about any workout, I’ve expressed some frustrations!

Part of that frustration comes from it being harder to stay focused and make the workouts efficient.

For example, to maximize my time and effectiveness over this two week family vacation, I’m doing my own Full Body Attack workout.  But it’s taking me about 20% longer because of waiting for the single power rack, finding the right equipment, etc.

How To Be More Effective

So how can you be more efficient (and thus, more effective) when going to a gym you’ve never been to before? Here are 8.5 ways:

1)  Call Ahead – Call the gym ahead of time to find out what their hours are, what equipment they have, (more…)

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Get my full-body lifting routine here: FullBodyAttack!

Continue reading about Top 8.5 Tips For More Efficient Workouts In Unfamiliar Gyms

I’m coming to the realization that most of you are probably “settling” when it comes to your gym.  If you belong to a commercial gym (like 24 Hour Fitness), then you have most equipment you need, but not everything.

Every hear of Bally’s?  I had heard of it, but never worked out there until last week.

Most commercial gyms pretty much suck.  Despite the high # of equipment, it’s often the wrong mix.  Of course, they are better than hotel gyms.

But the environment of the commercial gym also stinks.  The people surrounding you are doing the wrong thing, with the wrong attitude. And I’m a firm believer that to raise your level of performance in any activity (from parenting to training to career), you need to surround yourself with positive influences.

What to hear me rant?  Read on.  But most of you probably have better things to do than listen to me complain, so I’ll understand if you want to skip this one…

Oh, and did you hear about Solid Performance yet?  It’s only $37 and includes Train Better To Gain More And Lose More for free!  Just go to http://www.worldfitnessnetwork.com/more/solidperformance.html to (more…)

Continue reading about What Are The 3 Things You Wish Your Gym Had?

I just got back from a business trip.  As you might know yourself, getting your workouts in while on the road is a challenge.

Assuming time isn’t too tight, working in a run is usually pretty easy.

But weight training is more of a challenge.

(In fact, this trip gave me many ideas I’ll want to share with you over the next several weeks.  For today I want to give you some tips to consider if you are out of town and need to go to an unfamiliar gym.)

Bodyweight exercises are a great option if you are still a beginner for weight training, or if you are just going for fat loss, or if you really have no time.

But I really wanted some metal.

(more…)

Continue reading about My 24Hr-Fitness Experience – Part 1 of 2