A number of clubs have gone way beyond day care, building full-fledged kid
gyms with tyke-sized weight machines and cardiovascular equipment. The
machines are obviously smaller and shorter with a host of safety devices to
prevent kids from hurting themselves. This is great. It’s never too early to get
kids into the habit of exercising (see Chapter 22), as long as you don’t force
your 5-year-old into an Olympic training regimen. Some clubs offer exercise
classes that the whole family can do together, as well as programs such as
teen-only exercise classes.
Another popular service is nutritional counseling, including weight-loss sup-
port groups, computerized diet analysis, and heart-disease prevention semi-
nars. Prices vary widely, from $250 to over $1,000 for a package of three to
ten sessions. Just beware: As with trainers, anyone can call himself a nutri-
tionist, so make sure that you’re dealing with a registered dietitian (someone
with an R.D. after his name). Most personal trainers don’t have an R.D., even
though they may consider themselves nutritional specialists. We don’t think
anyone but a registered dietitian should dispense dietary advice, and that
includes chiropractors — giving this kind of advice may even be against the
law in your state. Don’t let your “nutritionist” hard-sell you any products —
including expensive supplements or prepackaged wonder foods that have
been designed “especially for your body chemistry.”
At many clubs you can also find medical and rehabilitation services, including
sports-medicine doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and sports
psychologists. Be aware that many of these health professionals may not
actually be affiliated with the club; they may simply rent office space on the
premises. This arrangement helps the health professionals attract more busi-
ness, and it gives the club added cachet. However, you need to check out the
credentials and reputations of the doctors and therapists as thoroughly as
you would any others. Don’t assume that the club has chosen the most-
qualified health professionals; it may simply have picked those who will pay
the highest rent.
Braving the Gym Alone ...............................................................................
Going to the gym for the first time can be stressful, especially if you’re new to
working out. But at some point, you have to take a deep breath and dive in.
Here are strategies for feeling at ease in your gym:
Take a friend.Going to the gym with a buddy can make you feel more
comfortable and less self-conscious. You two can pretend to discuss the
stock market while you figure out how to start up the elliptical trainer.
Go at off-peak hours.This way, no one will be breathing down your neck
to use a machine, and you’ll have more attention from the staff if you
need some reminders. Gyms usually are busiest from 7 to 9 a.m., noon to
2 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m. If you can’t go during off-peak hours, choose the
276 Part VI: Conquering the Gym (Even at Home)