Before I started bike commuting I dreaded the shorter fall days that shut down my after work rides on trails or backroads. I pondered: should I join a gym? But I never did. Now, when I go to the grocery store after work I ride past a roomful of gym rats slaving away on machines in front of big TV screens. I smile and keep rolling.
About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.
Rachel Unger
October 10, 2012 at 12:18 pm
This reminds me of the one and only time I tried biking to the rock climbing gym. Trying to bike the 12 miles home once we were done, with what felt like tiny T-rex arms and no muscle strength left whatsoever, convinced me to never do that again.
ladyfleur
October 10, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Twelve miles is a long ride after a hard workout. This gym is < 3 miles from home which would be a good warm up/cool down distance if I were inclined to lift weights or swim or do zumba or yoga.
But the idea of driving in rush hour traffic to pedal an exercise bike or climb endless stairs? Torture.
TinLizzie72
October 10, 2012 at 5:39 pm
I belong to a gym (about 3 miles from home) and take yoga and BodyPump classes there. I tried a spin class once and it was definitely a waste of time, but I believe in cross-training, and I am not supposed to run, so I try to do use the elliptical once a week. Strengthening is just as important as cardio, but I know I won’t do it unless I’m in a class. A year and a half later, I look forward to seeing my gym friends every week, and enjoy my muscles. Now I know I’ll never give up the gym or biking!
ladyfleur
October 10, 2012 at 9:32 pm
I’ve worked out in gyms off-again-on-again for the past 25 years but never really liked it. In general, I prefer exercising outdoors, although I do like yoga at the studio across town that’s more of a retreat than a gym.
But my all-time favorite indoor exercise was ballroom dancing. I danced four nights a week in the 90′s: salsa, swing, hustle, ballroom. I knew all the hot spots where I could find the best dance partners.
sevencyclist
October 11, 2012 at 6:42 am
I ride by a 24 Hr Fitness almost every day (depends on which route I take back), and it amazes me how congested the parking lot is there. In fact, traffic jams up entering the parking lot, and I have to be careful of cars exiting the parking lot, for those that either finished, or was frustrated at the parking situation, and just gave up. It just confirms the joy of riding past the gym, and not going in there, but still getting a hell of a workout.
ladyfleur
October 11, 2012 at 9:07 am
Well, the good news is that people are actually doing more than sitting on their butts. But it’s too bad there aren’t more people working out within walking, running or riding distance from home or work. Or maybe they never considered it or maybe the streets and roads are too unpleasant.
My all-time favorite gym parking lot is the Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood Shores. It has free valet parking. I am not making this up.
Rachel Unger
October 11, 2012 at 9:34 am
For a moment, I read this as “free valet bike parking” and was intrigued.
ladyfleur
October 11, 2012 at 9:37 am
Someone else made the same mistake when I wrote about bike parking at SFO being near the valet parking area. She was wondering why I didn’t use the valet instead of locking up on the rack.