This is Why I Don't Make Rash Decisions...

Last weekend, blind sighted by the amazing offer due to my corporate discount, I joined 24 Hour Fitness. BIG mistake!
I will admit, though, it is my fault that I didn't ask for a tour of the place until after I swiped my credit card, instead I should have walked in and asked for a 7 Day Free trial rather than asking to join. But I figured it would be at least the same quality of the 24 Hour Fitness I went to in Dallas or have the same amenities of the NYSC I belonged to in NYC. But no... first of all, the location where I signed up (not going to point any fingers) was incredibly... let's just say I saw some people in there who I'm pretty sure could have passed as homeless! I made a mental note not to return to that location so quickly had to find another location that would be easy for me to drive to in the mornings before work.

Tuesday morning I went to the one in Santa Monica, it was better than the first one and actually the spinning class that morning was awesome but I wasn't in love with the location-- no ab/stretching area and the locker room was a maze.

That evening after work I drove to the nearest LA Fitness where I was given the same monthly rate as 24 Hour Fitness but this time the initiation fee wasn't waved, I'm still trying to argue my way out of that though! But trust me, I had learned my lesson... this time I asked for a tour and a 7 day trial pass before I signed or paid for anything. My week isn't up yet so I still want to check out a few locations but I think that's what I'm going to do. So far it's not as crowded as 24 Hour Fitness, which I have learned through this process is a gym trait that I highly value.

Jumping to the end of my story, my overall most shocking points are that 24 Hour Fitness does NOT offer you free towel (even if you shower there) and most of the Los Angeles-area locations have parking lots you have to pay to park in-- on top of your membership!

If someone would have told me that I would move to LA and suddenly feel like I had been spoiled at NYSC I would have laughed in their face. Now I'm the one telling my friends back in New York to appreciate what they have with NYSC because receiving an unlimited amount of free towels, having a gym on every corner and an overwhelming amount of class selections is a treat!

Today I attended an event hosted by SELF magazine called Workout in the Park-- it was fabulous!With more than 20 different sponsors and about 20 different fitness classes from yoga and pilates to exciting dance classes such as Awesome 80's Dance and Crumpin' & Tweakin'. However, my favorite aerobic class was taught by my favorite instructor, Serina Jain, was Masala Bhangra, a Bollywood-inspired traditional Indian dance.
No joke, I walked away from the event with a huge bag full of free products from the various sponsors including- 2 full sized mascaras from Maybelline, granola bars from Kashi, water and flavor packets from Crystal Light, the new water/juice from Tropicana, lotions from St. Ives, and a ton of 100 Calorie Packs-- just to name a few, serious!

Last weekend the event took place in Chicago; next weekend it'll be in Miami. It was so great to see so many people getting together with fitness and wellness on the mind.

I loved it and can't wait for next year's event!