You Get What You Pay For

I'm a bargain hunter. I like to get a good deal.



There are definitely times when cheaper is fine.

I don't buy fancy workout outfits, I exercise in a T-shirt and Chucks. I don't need a 4 star hotel when I go away; as long as the place is clean and convenient, I'd rather save the money. I won't pay $10 more to go to breakfast at a trendy restaurant when the eggs are better at the local diner.


So, yes, I like a good deal but I don't choose price over quality or go cheap on things that matter.

When I opened my gym, I purchased commercial grade treadmills and ellipticals, not cheaply made home versions. When I got a new computer, I paid more because I wanted something durable and reliable, not some bargain off-brand model that could end up causing me lost time and headaches. I wouldn't go to a physician based on the fact that she was the cheapest doc in town and I had a coupon. I doubt that I'm alone in that.

So why do so many people chose a gym because it's the cheapest?

If you are a long-time fitness enthusiast who knows how to properly perform cardiovascular and strength training exercise and to make sure your routine is balanced between muscle groups, a no-frills gym might be right for you. However, let’s be honest, that description doesn't apply to most people.

I've heard it so many times...

Think you'll get results doing this?

*  "I joined Saturn Gym but only ever walked on the treadmill because I didn't know how to do anything else."


*  "I'm frustrated with my results; even though I've been going to the gym regularly, my body's not changing."


 

*  "I was intimidated and no one ever helped me so I quit going."

*  "I tried NY Fitness but the staff spent all their time badgering me to buy personal training."

*  "Can you set my husband up on a routine? He joined XYZ Health Club but all he ever received was a group orientation."

Little or no instruction. No results. Skipping a critical part of a good workout. Giving up.

Does that sound like a good deal to you? In regards to your health and fitness, you really do get what you pay for.

If you're not an experienced and knowledgeable fitness buff, don't be fooled by the promise of a bargain. If you've tried to form a gym habit before but gave up for whatever reason, think about what you really want and need from a fitness center.






Your decision should be based on VALUE, not price.






We spend hundreds of dollars on cable TV; fancy cell phone plans; take out food, electronic book readers, tablets and games; etc.

Isn't improving the quality of your life worth more per month than a couple of designer lattes?

You CAN succeed at getting more energy, dropping excess fat, improving your self confidence, and enjoying life more. You just need the right atmosphere, encouragement, and proper instruction.

There are many factors to consider when looking for a gym. Don't spend $1 until you get my free consumer guide on choosing the right fitness center for YOU. Just go to www.GetFitLancaster.com.

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It's 2012!

When Bargain Gyms Aren't A Bargain

On Wednesday, I took a new member through her first workout at Body & Soul. She was astonished at what she experienced and I'm not exaggerating by using the word "astonished".

She came to me from another gym where she's been a member for 20 years. Yes, I said 20 years. Although thin, as she's gotten older, she's picked up some excess fat around her middle and didn't feel like her current regimen was doing much for her.

It wasn't. Although she was a faithful exerciser, she's basically been doing the same routine for all of those 20 years.

She thought about working with the trainer on staff there but based on a conversation, didn't feel the trainer was knowledgeable enough to help her.

So she called me, came in for a tour, and signed up - all in the same day.

And yes, she was astonished during and after our workout. She couldn't believe how much different her body felt doing different exercises and doing them correctly. She was surprised that she could actually feel the muscles she was working.

She realized that she'd just been going through the motions. She was never told how to safely challenge herself to continue improving. Nobody ever bothered to explain the importance of changing her routine regularly.

I bet they would have found time to talk to her if her payment had bounced but as long as she kept paying, no one cared if she was getting results or wasting her time.


Yesterday, when she joined, she told me she couldn't do squats because they hurt her knees. Today, she did multiple sets of squats and had absolutely NO knee pain. Why? Because she was taught how to do them properly.



I understand joining El Cheapo Gym if you are fitness savvy, know how to design a well balanced strength training program, and can perform the exercises correctly. If not, how much is that "bargain" costing you in poor (or non-existent) results and wasted hours?

Don't use all this stuff without proper instruction.

If you're not a knowledgeable fitness buff, think twice before signing up at a gym where you get a cursory "orientation" instead of a proper training session to get you started.

There are other factors to consider when looking for a gym. Don't spend $1 until you get my free consumer guide on choosing the right fitness center for YOU. Just go to www.GetFitLancaster.com.

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Win $1000!

Are you serious about transforming your body?

Craig Ballantyne is running his 13th Turbulence Training Transformation Contest and each winner of the four categories wins $1000 of his money. 

The top prize of $1000 - each - will be given to the winners of these 4 categories:

1) Women Under 40

2) Men Under 40

3) Women Over 40

4) Men Over 40

All the details on how you can win $1000 as the top prize are here...

Simple TT Transformation Contest Rules

Craig has helped thousands of women and men transform their bodies.You can see the results from the latest TT contest at... 

Latest TT Tranformation Contest Winners

(If you click on the link for each contestant's TT essay, you'll see their before and after photos.)

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Collected Fitness Wisdom #43

Success is just a series of small behaviors repeated over and over. Set the behaviors in place and the outcomes will arrive in due course.

~ Alwyn Cosgrove



People think they’re more advanced than what they are. More often than not, less is more. It often amazes me how I’ll get people coming in for evaluations asking whether they should be incorporating ME (Max Effort) deadlifts into their program, when they can’t even perform a simple body-weight lunge without tipping over! Make sure your program fits your experience level.

~ Tony Gentilcore



When you walk into a grocery store, you are walking into a pharmacy, and the power of those foods is as powerful as medications.

~ Mehmet Oz, M.D.



Squatting is not bad for your knees....the way YOU squat is bad for your knees.

~ Dan John


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Merry Christmas!

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Happy Holidays From No Pink Dumbbells Fitness Boot Camp!

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