LifeTime Athletic Gyms
LifeTime Athletic gyms are extremely popular around the country and in the tri-state area especially. As a diabetic, staying in shape is essential to my glucose-control and overall health. This summer, I attended a LifeTime Athletics gym in close proximity to where I worked.
A 24-hour gym is extremely convenient for diabetics, and LifeTime provides that service. As diabetics, there are unfortunately plenty of instances where my blood sugar is either too low or too high for me to feel comfortable working out. The 24-hour accessibility of gyms such as LifeTime allow me to take some time away from my originally intended workout time, and carefully allow my blood glucose level to arrive back in my comfortable workout range, without having to rush due to limited gym open hours.
LifeTime offers a wide range of equipment and space for varying workout types. I like to incorporate different types of workouts into my weekly regimen such as weight-training intensive or cardio intensive days. Some facilities are deficient in either free weights, weight machines, or cardio machines, while abundantly supplying the other categories. The LifeTime gym exceeded my basic needs when it came to workout apparatuses. The monthly membership is not without a substantial price, but the gyms are full of great amenities diabetics and athletes in general will appreciate such as fully stocked snack bars (for post workouts or lows), spas, and yoga studios.
Lastly, LifeTime does a pretty fair job of creating a community environment within its gyms. Whether it arise from the aforementioned spas, yoga studies, and snack bars, or events such as 5ks, triathlon events, and groups weight-loss challenges, LifeTime provides a platform for strangers with similar interests to meet, greet, and tackle goals with one another. The idea of community is especially resounding amongst diabetics because we are all sympathetic to each other’s diabetes-complication and are constantly bouncing tips and ideas off one another. The environment at a LifeTime gym is especially conducive to such an open forum. My experiences with the staff and trainers on sight have been primarily positive in that they are friendly and relatively knowledgeable about any questions I may have. I would feel comfortable referring other diabetics to their trainers for advice on how certain exercises may affect their glucose levels.
Overall my experience with LifeTime Athletics was positive. While membership comes at a steep price, the facilities and amenities attached are of high enough quality to justify the price. I was extremely satisfied with the range of options available to me as someone who likes variety in my workouts and health maintenance.
Whether it be at a LifeTime gym or any other, it is most important we diabetics continue to push ourselves to make regular exercise and workouts a priority. I encourage you all to find an activity you can enjoy and make those trips a staple in your weekly schedules.
This is the first installment of many to come in my NYC-area gym review series. For further information and health & fitness tips follow me at @roycHealth.