The GTA Fitness Reviewer has Moved

Just a reminder to all readers;
The GTA Fitness Reviewer has moved!
I now have my own domain name and the freedom to design my web site any way I wish.
Please use this link to read the latest post now.

The Question: To Paleo or Not to Paleo

Read the latest post at the new home for the GTA Fitness Reviewer:
The Question: To Paleo or Not to Paleo

My New Workout Week 1 Update

So its been 7 days since I started my new workout regimen. I am truly enjoying the new schedule. Each day offers variety. The boredom is gone (for now). And the scattered rest periods are allowing my body to re-coup from the workouts and build muscle. Of course, MY intention is NOT to be a body builder, but instead simply increase lean muscle mass and reduce fat.

One of the benefits of mixing up my workout routine is that no single muscle group is being overworked. Most of my workouts focus on core but none of them are over stressing my abs or gluts.

If you decided to try out my workout, please do add a comment here and let me and other readers know what you like and what you don't like and if you are feeling any positive results.

On another note:

This blog is growing. And with growth comes decision. I have decided to grow-up the blog and I have opened a domain name dedicated to this blog:
   The GTA Fitness Reviewer's New Home

Having its own domain name on a paid server allows me much more freedom to build the blog into what I truly envision for it. I exported all the posts from here over to its new home yesterday, so no information is lost. The new blog will allow you, the reader to contribute and link to and from my blog with more ease.

My long-term plan is to keep this blog open for another month or two. Each post I make after today will be on the new blog only. However, I will post a link to the new post in this blog so that you can still find posts. Please bookmark/add to favourites this new blog address: The GTA Fitness Reviewer's New Home

You will also be able to subscribe to the new blog either via email or RSS feeds. And you can "like" The GTA Fitness Reviewer Facebook page which will also keep you updated on new posts and events.
Again, I welcome all comments, ideas and suggestions.

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

Post Injury Update

As you know, I hurt my back on Sunday. Monday was painful and slow moving. Tuesday was stiff and irritable. Wednesday was "it only hurts when I laugh". Thursday was "I can't stand this any longer I'm going to the gym".

 

Today is Friday, and today is, "OMG I stayed too long at the gym yesterday, and I've regressed back to Tuesdays "stiff and irritable".

 

Moral of the story: when your doctor tells you to walk, just walk. I walked at 3.5 mph on the treadmill yesterday for 20 mins. Then I decided I could handle some of the conditioning exercises my new trainer gave me two weeks ago. I spent another 40 mins doing conditioning.

Then!!
Oh yes!!
There's more!!!

I went for a walk with my daughter. And that was after walking downtown for an hour or so.

What have I learned??

Well, for starters; I am quite stubborn. (no kidding)

The biggest lesson I learned this week; The older I get, the more I realize that I really know very little.

There is sooooo much to learn; and so little time.

until next time; don't sweat the small stuff!!

CAH productions Tees

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!

Gym Review: Total FX Fitness, Hamilton

Total FX Fitness is a small fitness facility located on the east mountain in Hamilton. This gym offers a community environment to its members. Sessions are group classes or individual training with a personal trainer.  Members are supportive of each other and the overall feeling is warm and inviting.  Trainers tailor the workouts to suit each individual need and preference; even during group sessions. Let the trainer know in advance if you have limitations such as arthritis or other issues. This allows the trainer the opportunity to provide you with exercises that suit your capabilities yet still provide you with improved fitness. Call or email ahead to arrange a trial session and consultation.

Facilities

The gym is located in a strip mall on Stonechurch Road in Hamilton. The store front is modest yet inside the gym is bright and well equipped with free weights, mats and rowing machines.  The gym is simple an unadorned but provides a safe and suitable environment for the killer workouts that the trainers provide to members.  There are no shower or change room facilities at this gym.

Staff

The staff are very friendly and welcoming. They are knowledgeable in the programs and offer several options to new clients.

Change rooms

There are no shower or change rooms. There is a washroom for member use.
  

Classes

Total FX Fitness offers a variety of classes to suit every fitness level from cardio to weights to target specific and kickboxing. The trainers will gladly help you to select a session that is most suitable to your tastes.  Every class is open to every level; trainers tailor the exercises to meet the needs of beginners and advanced fitness members so that everyone gains from the session. This gym also offers classes for youth ages 8 to 14. Memberships are flexible and can be purchased as two or three month commitment or full year membership. Check with staff for full details and pricing. 

Personal Trainers

Personal training sessions are also available and need to be booked in advance.  Check with reception for details.

Hours & Parking

This location is open:

Mon - Friday:  6am - 9pm Saturday:       9am - 6pm Sunday:         closed

Parking is available at the front and behind the building.

Overall Total FX Fitness' goal is to provide members with an alternative to the larger gyms by offering training that is tailored to your personal needs and schedule. They offer a unique class sign-up system online in addition to on-going motivation and encouragement to members. 

Gym Review: All Canadian Fitness

 

All Canadian Fitness was established in 1993 in Hamilton. They are located in a strip plaza on Dundurn street. They specialize in providing fitness solutions to people who are frustrated and unsatisfied with their current fitness routine and not achieving the results they want. They help clients achieve their goals by working closely with them, providing a consultation at the start and checking on their progress during and throughout their membership. Training is provided one on one or in small group classes. There is no yearly membership. Members pay for sessions ahead of time individually or in blocks. Members are encouraged to call ahead to book a spot in a group session. Personal training sessions must be pre-booked. 

Facilities

The gym is located in the downtown west end of Hamilton on Dundurn Street. There is limited parking in the back with street parking also available. The entrance is tricky to find and is on the far left side of the building along a narrow laneway. The gym area is small and brightly coloured. Trainers utilize a variety of equipment from elipticals and free weights to exercise balls and TRX trainers. They also offer physiotherapy sessions.

Staff

The owner of All Canadian Fitness is Ernie Schramayr. His enthusiam and energy is contagious and he is clearly the driving force behind this gym. Ernie welcomes every single person who enters the gym. The staff are very knowledgeable in health and fitness. Consultations are thorough and include discussion of nutrition and lifestyle habits which are key to establishing a sucessful fitness regimen. The staff at All Canadian Fitness are one of its strongest assets along with the carefully detailed and highly personalized programing at the gym. 

Change rooms

There are no showers. There is a small change room. There is a washroom for member use.

Classes

Classes are run in small groups of 4 - 8 participants and start at 5:30am weekdays.  Each session is different and utilizes the wide variety of equipment available at All Canadian Fitness. Specialized classes include kettlebells, TRX suspension training, boxing and battling ropes.

Personal Trainers

All trainers are Can-Fit Pro certified at All Canadian Fitness.  Sessions must be booked in advance with the trainer of your choice.

Hours & Parking

This location is open:

Monday - Thursday:  5:30am - 9pm Friday:                     5:30am - 7pm Saturday:                 8am - 1pm Sunday:                   closed

Parking is available behind the building and on the street.

Overall, All Canadian Fitness offers a small gym with huge enthusiasm and energy. All Canadian Fitness is active in the community and provides some unique opportunities to their trainers and members to give back to the community through charity events during the year. If you are serious about your fitness goals and seeking a small gym with overwhelming energy, this is probably a good fit for you.  

Gym Review: 5 Star Fitness, Hamilton

 5 Star Fitness is located on the east mountain in Hamilton just across the street from Total FX Fitness. The building was previously home to the Hamilton Roller Gardens.  Upon arrival, guests and members are greeted with a warm and classy reception area complete with a water fountain feature, a waiting area with comfortable couches and a juice bar.   The gym offers the look and feel of a larger gym combined with the community aspect of a small organization. Cleanliness is a top priority at 5 Star Fitness, and I have not been in a gym that is cleaner than this gym.

Facilities

Located on Stonechurch Road in Hamilton the building provides a large parking area for members. The reception, change rooms and gym are bright and welcoming. The main gym has a wide variety of resistance machines, free weights area and cardio area. There is also a dance studio/group class area. My favourite part of this gym is the boxing studio which is the largest and cleanest I have seen in Hamilton. They also provide physiotheraphy services and child care on site.

Staff

Reception staff are friendly and personable. They provide member services in a variety of aspects including the main desk, equipment shop and the juice bar.  

Change rooms

Change rooms are large and very clean. Showers are very large and well maintained. There is also a sauna available in the womens change room. Plenty of mirrors are available as well as plug ins for hair dryers.

Classes

5 Star Fitness offers a wide variety of group classes ranging from Pilates and Yoga to cardio, boot camp and MMA boxing.  There are even martial arts classes for  youth aged 4 to 12. 5 Star Fitness also offers some very unique programming such as Zumba Fitness and a Golf Training program.

Personal Trainers

5 Star Fitness offers an impressive line-up of personal trainers from a wide variety of fitness backgrounds.   Sessions need to be booked in advance. Check with reception for details.

Hours & Parking

This location is open 24 hours from Monday at 5am to Friday at 11pm:

Saturday:       7am - 8pm Sunday:         7am - 6pm

Parking is available at the side of the building.

Overall, 5 Star Fitness provides its members with a classy environment to pursue their fitness goals. They offer a wide variety of programs to suit just about anyone. This fall, they are planning on opening a second location in Stoney Creek. 

New Gym Reviews

So I've been babbling on a lot lately about exercise and health in general. I've reported to you my own personal findings about what exercises and methods work best for me. I've done some research on the methodology of fitness and found some tips and ideas on healthy nutrition. Now, I'd like to return to reviewing some of the incredible fitness facilities available in the Hamilton Ontario area. I will be posting reviews of fitness clubs over the next few months.

Again I want to reiterate my purpose; that is to give you the reader a blog that informs, educates and with some luck inspires you to get up and start moving on your own path to personal health and fitness. My gym reviews will never be scathing or negative. The purpose is to provide you with first hand information and observations so that you can check out these businesses for yourself to see which ones will be a good fit for what you want to achieve.

So, what do you want to achieve?

That's your first step. Write down a few measurable and achievable goals. Obviously, if you have never adopted a regular exercise routine before, you will not expect to run a 10k race in the next 6 months. Keep in mind that goals which focus on weight loss tend to be short-lived and disappointing.

Weight loss is an inaccurate measure of fitness. As you become more fit, you lose fat and gain muscle. Muscle weighs more that fat, so gauging your "success" solely on what the scale tells you is false.  

Focus on simple things, like losing 2 inches from your waist at the end of 6 months. Or being able to walk up the stairs in your home without being out of breath. Or being able to kick or throw a ball with your kids without straining your back/knees/arms etc.

Next; examine your personality and current lifestyle. Do you have a regular work and personal schedule? Or is your schedule harried and unpredictable? Are you a self-starter? Are you determined and thrive on inner motivation? Or, do you need someone to kick you in the butt to get you moving?

Do you like to work on your own? Or do you need the support of a group setting to achieve your daily goals?  Are you a social animal? Or do you prefer to be solitary?

Your personality and current lifestyle will determine the type of fitness facility that will best meet your needs. In Hamilton, there are fitness clubs that offer solutions for every personality type and lifestyle. 

Basically there are four types of fitness clubs:

        1.  Large Mainstream gyms:

• These gyms offer a wide variety of services. The facilities are large and often there are more than one location. Services include complete range of equipment from free weights and resistance machines to treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes.  These gyms also have expansive change room facilities which include lockers, showers and saunas. Many of these gyms also provide personal trainers, group classes, physiotherapy sessions and some offer spa services and other specialty training such as boxing or yoga. 
• Members of large gyms are varied. Some members are the independent self-motivated type who are able to integrate their gym routine into their daily lifestyle. These members tend to visit the gym a minimum of 4 days per week and tend to visit at the same time of day every day.
• Members who need to be motivated and prefer a social component to their workouts; combine the additional features of personal trainers and group classes with their own individual workouts. Often these members visit the gym 3 or less days per week.

        2.  Small gyms that offer Big Gym services:

• These gyms offer much the same services as the larger gyms. The difference is that the small gyms provide more of a community atmosphere. Membership is smaller and members tend to know one another and socialize more in this smaller setting.  If you want a variety of services but in a cozier setting, these types of gyms would be appealing for you. Each gym has its own culture. You will need to visit the gym and try out a membership to determine if the culture fits your style.

        3.  Personal training Gyms:

• You will find these little gems in the most auspicious places. Many are nestled into strip malls and residential plazas. For the uninitiated, these small gyms offer personalized services that the larger gyms cannot provide. This makes them the ideal place for members who need the encouragement and support of a personal trainer.  Overall, they tend to be slightly more expensive than the larger gyms. However, what you receive in return is personal attention and the opportunity to really achieve those goals you set for yourself. Again, these gyms each have their own flavour or culture. Therefore; you will need to visit the gym yourself and try out a session to see if you "fit".   

        4.  Personal Trainers:

• You can also find personal trainers who will come into your home and work with you. Although I will not be reviewing these businesses; it is something to consider if you are desperately shy and need someone to cheer you on every step of the way towards your fitness goals.

As mentioned, only you can determine what type of fitness facility will suit you best. The best way to decide is try them out. Pick at least one gym from each category; Large Mainstream, Small Big Gym, Personal Training gym or a Personal Trainer and try them out for a day/session or two before signing any contract or giving your credit card information.  When you are successful at finding the right fit for your fitness needs; your own personal fitness goals will become more achievable.  And, you will also find that including daily fitness to your lifestyle will become a habit worth keeping.

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