Gym Reviews: A little more Background

So I got to thinking that some of my readers may not be aware of my intentions for doing gym reviews and health and fitness posts. I figure just in case there is any doubt, I will re-re-itterate my intentions here again.

I'm not a fitness expert. I'm just an average person who happens to really like fitness activities and I strive to live a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity (I go to the gym 5 days a week) and nutritious eating habits (I do indulge in the occasional home baked goods and a handful of chips here and there)

My hope for this blog, my business activities and my daily interactions with people is that I will help to inspire others to take up their own lifestyle change and participate in a healthy lifestyle too. I would love to see everyone make fitness and healthy eating a normal part of their daily lifestyle.

I recently wrote an article for a local Hamilton blog which better illustrates my thoughts. You can read the full article here: Raise The Hammer

I also want to ensure that all owners or managers of any of the gyms or fitness organizations that I am reviewing will contact me regarding anything they see on this blog that might not be completely accurate. As a human, I may have some information on a post that is not as accurate as you may like. I welcome you to contact me with your comments, suggestions or ideas. You can email me at the blog here or you can post your comment and I will read and reply. Also let me know if you have some special events coming up or just want to post a health and fitness related article in my blog.

There are about 60 or so gym and fitness organizations in the main city of Hamilton. I will be focusing on these first then branching out to other sport organizations in the main city and much later reaching out to communities adjacent to Hamilton such as Burlington, Oakville, Winona and Caledonia.

If you have any suggestions, comments, criticisms, ideas or events you want to share, please feel free to do so.

Until next time...........don't sweat the small stuff!

New Gym Challenge - Update

Today for my workout I went back to a familiar stomping ground. After writing and reading an re-reading my post from yesterday and the previous day, I decided that I just did not feel comfortable at Phoenix Fitness. Its hard to say why. Maybe its because I am used to a much larger facility. It could be that I was simply uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Or it could be the lack of experience with the older weight machines they provided.

Most likely its a combination of a few things. I was a bit taken back by the higher membership fees. While they did provide pricing right up front from the very start, it also seemed that there was no wiggle room, no negotiation on the fees and the services. I did express that I wanted some personal training sessions. I was told these were available for a range of $65-75 per session. I was not offered a membership price that included sessions. These were simply an add-on.

Another thing that caused me to question the club, happened on the weekend. One location told me that all three locations offered the same deals and that once you were a member you could access any location any time. Another location told me they were not aware of a weekly trial pass that the other location was offering and she did not want to honor the pass. She said, well I see that you will be upset if I don't honor the pass so I will let it go this time. Hmmmph!

For this one small reason, I implore my readers to be certain to always try out a gym for a week BEFORE signing anything!!!!! You cannot possibly make a decision based on one visit at one location. Take the time to check out all the locations included in your membership. ASK for what you WANT!!

If you want personal training sessions, ask for them. The gym should then offer you at least an introductory deal including personal training. That's the same for anything else you might want such as daycare, multiple locations, group classes, nutrition coaching, specialized training or workouts (boxing, MMA, Nia etc)

IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU WON'T GET IT!!

Simple!

So bottom line now for me, I have crossed off Phoenix from my list of possible gyms.

I shall keep you posted on my next trial.

until then, don't sweat the small stuff!! 

What happened to the Fitness Tax Credit for adults in Canada?

Do you remember hearing about this back about a year ago? Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada "announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will introduce a new $500 Fitness Tax Credit for adults once the budget is balanced (Target 2015). In addition, Mr. Harper announced that he will double the existing Children’s Fitness Tax Credit from $500 to $1,000 dollars during the next Conservative mandate." Fitness Industry Council of Canada

I remember, and I was pretty excited about the prospect of being able to claim some of my fitness club fees on my tax return. Adult Fitness Tax Credit

Of course, like most, I failed to really hear the part about "once the budget is balanced". Sounds alot like, "when turkeys bark like dogs". Which, could be a really long time coming.

Sigh....... The FIC even made a really cool little poster to promote excitment and get people talking about the announcement.

The Child fitness credit has been in place since January 2010. Again, its been a great idea and sounds fantastic, but in reality it provides a max of $50 per child per year. My daughter is a competitive gymnast. Her training fees are almost $3k per year. Even a parent who's child takes swimming lessons at a recreational facility will spend $300-500 per year, if they attend sessions year round. So $50 isn't alot, but its more than what we got before.......

Governments are silly aren't they? They spend time and money on wonderful studies, but I wonder if they ever read the studies??

Here is a small exerpt from the Adult Fitness Tax Credit web site:

"... The federal government would save $2.5 billion over the next 21 years by extending the benefits of the current Children’s Fitness Tax Credit program to adults, according to Dave Hardy, President of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) following the release of an economic study on the effects of the program.

“The financial incentive offered by a federal adult fitness tax credit will encourage nearly one million more Canadians to get active and healthier,” said Hardy. “These healthier Canadians will need less health care and miss less work due to illness.” "

Seems like a no-brainer.

If you agree with the implementation of this new proposed (promised) fitness tax credit, why not contact your local MP and let your opinion be counted??

until next time; don't sweat the small stuff