I belonged to the YMCA back in the US. Fabulous. Loving child care. Great opening hours. Happy, friendly people. Hands down the BEST fitness instructor anywhere, Lori, who whipped my hiney into shape several times a week. The YMCA worked for our kids' school schedule and was within walking distance to home and school.
Can I say that I miss the Y?
Since we moved in January, exercise has kind of been put on the back burner. I have tried different things. Bike the kids into the ground, swimming, fitness courses on base while the kids wait in the bleachers or play in a corner, weight training in the basement while the toddler naps.
Not working as well as I had hoped. With 2 children in school and 1 nearly in German Kindergarten, I thought I might take a leap of faith.
Join a local gym.
Admittedly, the thought of taking a yoga class in German was a little intimidating. I think I would be a total disaster in a step aerobics class, but surely there would be a possibility.
Begin with research. Time of day, courses offered, location, and of course, childcare for our little social bug.
I dropped by Gym #1 to see if I could take a peek and a quick tour.
WHAT was I thinking?
In Germany, you MUST make an appointment. Clearly I looked like I needed the full tour and sales pitch with Ada climbing on everything she could see. So, I check the calendar and after 5 different days, we find one that works with all the other appointments I have for the next 2 weeks.
Not so warm and friendly, but worth a shot. I did, however, learn to CALL first and make the appointment.
Gym #2. This is the same place that our 9 year-old goes to do "sport" twice a week. It's a 10 minute walk from school, so they do get a fair amount of walking and exercise, which I like for our boy who oozes energy from every pore. Call gym #2, make an appointment.
I'm supposed to allow for 60 minutes. With toddler in tow. Hmmmm. Sure.
Lucky for me, I realize later that I can take Drew with me to Gym #2. Happy day. I can do as much of the appointment myself and bring Drew in with anything that I can't translate.
Did I mention that not everyone speaks English? And truly, the practice is good for me and gets me over my language stagnation hurdle. Still, I need to be careful with contracts, so I'm glad to have my backup.
Morning appointment. Walk in with childcare area right in front area of facility. Ada is welcome to play while we visit. She appears happy with this prospect. Good sign.
We tour. I observe. I translate most everything in general. We end up with contract and terms. I need small amount of help from wonderful husband, who asks what I think.
I have learned living here that I'm nearly never 100% sure of anything, but when I can get to 80%, pull the trigger.
Childcare nice. Facility nice enough. Treadmill. Free weights. Yoga.
Sign me up.
The part I find curious is joining the "club" or "Verein". Germans are REALLY big on clubs, so first you join the club with a one time fee and then you can join any number of things that the club offers, like the fitness studio.
So here we go.
First order of business is the AeroScan. This is some test that takes 10-60 minutes and measures my oxygen input and carbon dioxide output. I do this on a stationary bike, and need to fast that morning.
No coffee? Ouch. But I can swing a 10:30am appointment and wake up at 4:00 in the morning to eat a half peanut butter sandwich.
Second order of business is the "Back check." This apparently involves a 90 minute appointment where they figure out...something. How healthy my back is? To be honest, I'm not terribly sure, but I have lived here long enough to know that this is very German.
I really don't NEED these assessments.
I'm in reasonably good health.
I have been in a gym before.
However...
I have joined THE CLUB. I need to join the party. Follow the steps and ignore the American in me who wants to just show up and start doing free weights.
Remember gym #1? I'm thrilled to call and cancel that appointment. Phew. Box checked.
Off to the Aeroscan. I wake at 4:00, eat my snack, try rather unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, and drink lots of water.
Carlos is my trainer. Carlos speaks no English, but is patient with me and I can follow directions that include pointing. I'm a little nervous about this (worry wart that I am), as I have visions of passing out on a treadmill because I have done so little exercise in 8 months.
I'm done in 14 minutes. I didn't break a sweat. Is this good or bad?
Carlos assures me that he will send the results by email. He says he will see me later in the week for the back check. I'm in and out with Ada in 25 minutes.
Back on Friday for the back check. This is some machine created by a Dr. Wolff. I think, if I understand, it gives an idea of how strong you are front to back, side to side, balanced or no.
I think. Again, I know enough to just go along and do what they suggest.
Carlos begins by taking a short medical history with me. Ailments, surgeries, bad knees.
"Nothing?" He asks.
"Um, I take vitamins," I reply.
"Really? No problems?"
I found this conversation really funny. He got so excited at the thought of no limitations to the exercise program he could prescribe. Apparently, you can get part of some classes paid for by insurance if you see a doctor for stress or other health related issues.
Back check complete. It was really interesting, that as I completed the exercises, he downloaded the results into a computer and promptly told me that I was very unbalanced front to back, but side to side, I was ok. Unbalanced.
Gotcha.
He makes a plan. No questions as to what I like to do, free weights or machines, fitness classes or stationary equipment. I told him only that I wanted to gain strength and flexibility and drop a few pounds.
Plan complete. Off to the machines. Oh, and did I receive my water bottle?
Water bottle? Not yet.
Not to worry, my very own water bottle with my name LABLED on the front arrived shortly thereafter.
That's right. In the club, everyone has the same water bottle labeled with his or her own name.
Am I supposed to bring this water bottle, or can I bring my own, I ask.
Well, they PREFER I bring the labeled bottle provided.
No problem. I'll play on the team.
We walk through the plan that he has prescribed. It's a good start, I think, as I'm out of shape, but it doesn't feel as hard as I think it should. No matter. The plan is only good until the end of the month. Later, I learn, we make a new plan and adjust exercises as needed. Everything is in detail...number of reps, weight, settings of machines. At least I have freedom with order of exercises. There is no "working in" on machines here. And you must hover to be next. It drives me crazy to hover over a machine, but I have learned the hard way.
After I muddle through the session, mistranslating a few things, I wrap up with Carlos. I'm a little daunted, but the endorphins have made me so happy, I think I'm off to a good start.
What I know is this...
I still stick out. No one appears to arrive at the gym or leave the gym in exercise attire. They change in the proper changing room. I hurry in with Ada already dressed and leave as soon as I'm done.
Childcare is not perfect, but I'm thankful they're nice. There's no diaper changing or potty available, and there's no sign in or out. I at least make sure they know her name and that her first language is English. They appear to marvel that she is so sweet. Sounds good to me.
I'm on the young side at this gym for the morning hours. Not many moms there, but lots of older folks who think Ada is pretty cute.
I'm glad I took the leap.
I learn patience more during my time here. Maybe I want to work out the way I always did in the US, but maybe I will learn something doing this a different way. Maybe my German will finally start to improve if I brave a yoga class and chat with nordic walkers who leave Friday mornings as I'm checking in. Maybe a little extra exercise will give me the boost I need to help kids with homework when I'm exhausted. Maybe Ada will learn a little more German before she starts Kindergarten in December. Maybe just the act of stepping into an uncomfortable situation gets me one step further in my dream of having my own business.
All good things in time.
I dropped by Gym #1 to see if I could take a peek and a quick tour.
WHAT was I thinking?
In Germany, you MUST make an appointment. Clearly I looked like I needed the full tour and sales pitch with Ada climbing on everything she could see. So, I check the calendar and after 5 different days, we find one that works with all the other appointments I have for the next 2 weeks.
Not so warm and friendly, but worth a shot. I did, however, learn to CALL first and make the appointment.
Gym #2. This is the same place that our 9 year-old goes to do "sport" twice a week. It's a 10 minute walk from school, so they do get a fair amount of walking and exercise, which I like for our boy who oozes energy from every pore. Call gym #2, make an appointment.
I'm supposed to allow for 60 minutes. With toddler in tow. Hmmmm. Sure.
Lucky for me, I realize later that I can take Drew with me to Gym #2. Happy day. I can do as much of the appointment myself and bring Drew in with anything that I can't translate.
Did I mention that not everyone speaks English? And truly, the practice is good for me and gets me over my language stagnation hurdle. Still, I need to be careful with contracts, so I'm glad to have my backup.
Morning appointment. Walk in with childcare area right in front area of facility. Ada is welcome to play while we visit. She appears happy with this prospect. Good sign.
We tour. I observe. I translate most everything in general. We end up with contract and terms. I need small amount of help from wonderful husband, who asks what I think.
I have learned living here that I'm nearly never 100% sure of anything, but when I can get to 80%, pull the trigger.
Childcare nice. Facility nice enough. Treadmill. Free weights. Yoga.
Sign me up.
The part I find curious is joining the "club" or "Verein". Germans are REALLY big on clubs, so first you join the club with a one time fee and then you can join any number of things that the club offers, like the fitness studio.
So here we go.
First order of business is the AeroScan. This is some test that takes 10-60 minutes and measures my oxygen input and carbon dioxide output. I do this on a stationary bike, and need to fast that morning.
No coffee? Ouch. But I can swing a 10:30am appointment and wake up at 4:00 in the morning to eat a half peanut butter sandwich.
Second order of business is the "Back check." This apparently involves a 90 minute appointment where they figure out...something. How healthy my back is? To be honest, I'm not terribly sure, but I have lived here long enough to know that this is very German.
I really don't NEED these assessments.
I'm in reasonably good health.
I have been in a gym before.
However...
I have joined THE CLUB. I need to join the party. Follow the steps and ignore the American in me who wants to just show up and start doing free weights.
Remember gym #1? I'm thrilled to call and cancel that appointment. Phew. Box checked.
Off to the Aeroscan. I wake at 4:00, eat my snack, try rather unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, and drink lots of water.
Carlos is my trainer. Carlos speaks no English, but is patient with me and I can follow directions that include pointing. I'm a little nervous about this (worry wart that I am), as I have visions of passing out on a treadmill because I have done so little exercise in 8 months.
I'm done in 14 minutes. I didn't break a sweat. Is this good or bad?
Carlos assures me that he will send the results by email. He says he will see me later in the week for the back check. I'm in and out with Ada in 25 minutes.
Back on Friday for the back check. This is some machine created by a Dr. Wolff. I think, if I understand, it gives an idea of how strong you are front to back, side to side, balanced or no.
I think. Again, I know enough to just go along and do what they suggest.
Carlos begins by taking a short medical history with me. Ailments, surgeries, bad knees.
"Nothing?" He asks.
"Um, I take vitamins," I reply.
"Really? No problems?"
I found this conversation really funny. He got so excited at the thought of no limitations to the exercise program he could prescribe. Apparently, you can get part of some classes paid for by insurance if you see a doctor for stress or other health related issues.
Back check complete. It was really interesting, that as I completed the exercises, he downloaded the results into a computer and promptly told me that I was very unbalanced front to back, but side to side, I was ok. Unbalanced.
Gotcha.
He makes a plan. No questions as to what I like to do, free weights or machines, fitness classes or stationary equipment. I told him only that I wanted to gain strength and flexibility and drop a few pounds.
Plan complete. Off to the machines. Oh, and did I receive my water bottle?
Water bottle? Not yet.
Not to worry, my very own water bottle with my name LABLED on the front arrived shortly thereafter.
That's right. In the club, everyone has the same water bottle labeled with his or her own name.
Am I supposed to bring this water bottle, or can I bring my own, I ask.
Well, they PREFER I bring the labeled bottle provided.
No problem. I'll play on the team.
We walk through the plan that he has prescribed. It's a good start, I think, as I'm out of shape, but it doesn't feel as hard as I think it should. No matter. The plan is only good until the end of the month. Later, I learn, we make a new plan and adjust exercises as needed. Everything is in detail...number of reps, weight, settings of machines. At least I have freedom with order of exercises. There is no "working in" on machines here. And you must hover to be next. It drives me crazy to hover over a machine, but I have learned the hard way.
After I muddle through the session, mistranslating a few things, I wrap up with Carlos. I'm a little daunted, but the endorphins have made me so happy, I think I'm off to a good start.
What I know is this...
I still stick out. No one appears to arrive at the gym or leave the gym in exercise attire. They change in the proper changing room. I hurry in with Ada already dressed and leave as soon as I'm done.
Childcare is not perfect, but I'm thankful they're nice. There's no diaper changing or potty available, and there's no sign in or out. I at least make sure they know her name and that her first language is English. They appear to marvel that she is so sweet. Sounds good to me.
I'm on the young side at this gym for the morning hours. Not many moms there, but lots of older folks who think Ada is pretty cute.
I'm glad I took the leap.
I learn patience more during my time here. Maybe I want to work out the way I always did in the US, but maybe I will learn something doing this a different way. Maybe my German will finally start to improve if I brave a yoga class and chat with nordic walkers who leave Friday mornings as I'm checking in. Maybe a little extra exercise will give me the boost I need to help kids with homework when I'm exhausted. Maybe Ada will learn a little more German before she starts Kindergarten in December. Maybe just the act of stepping into an uncomfortable situation gets me one step further in my dream of having my own business.
All good things in time.
