1. 

   m
   

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   I was just laid off this week (surprise!). I'm doing all the right things as far as networking, job searching, etc. - but I also want to make sure that I don't grow fat sitting around hitting refresh on my email. I figure this is a great time to explore different options in fitness and movement.

   I see that Ballard Health Club offers a one month pass, but the majority of their classes are yoga. I'd appreciate any other suggestions for short term obligations.
   Gyms, group work-outs, dance lessons, whatever!

   Thanks in advance!

   Posted 9 months ago #
2. 

   GAM
   

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   Sorry you were laid off.

   I recommend good old fashioned walking. Now, presumably, is not the time for new outlays of cash, it will get you out of the house, and it is one of the best things you can do for yourself. I should do more of it myself!

   Posted 9 months ago #
3. 

   teigyr
   

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   Also check sites like Tippr, Living Social, Groupon, etc. I don't know if I have any gym ones due to expire but if I do, you can have them. So many of them are a fantastic deal but are only for a set period of time. Through that I've gone to pilates, hot yoga, and have done a fair amount of other things.

   Best of luck. Oh and walking, that is good too :)

   Posted 9 months ago #
4. 

   mongo
   

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   Assuming you are talking about cardio Phinney Ridge and the steps by golden gardens are better than any gym. Except for days with ice there is absolutely no reason you need a gym in Seattle.

   A brimmed hat and a rain coat cost less than a gym anyway.

   As for weights, found objects work fine there. I have a set of adjustable dumbbells but really a gym membership is more about socialization and steam rooms than it is about exercise.

   If you have a smart phone look at the many free apps that will help you track calorie burn. If you get good at taking your pulse or get a heart rate monitor you can adjust your output to what ever you need.

   The only reason I can think to go back to the gym is the steam room...I do miss that.

   Posted 9 months ago #
5. 

   mongo
   

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   I should also add that if you watch craigslist close you can find weights for almost free and if you look on the internet you can find how to use your own body weight to do most strength building.

   Also there informal adult sports that are free.

   Best of luck in your job search.

   Posted 9 months ago #
6. 

   teigyr
   

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   I can see how sometimes variety can be fun, esp if you're not working and want to be around people. I checked through my non-used and non-expired vouchers and didn't see anything gym related. One of the sites has kettleball classes right now, that might be fun. I can never do them because I can't go often enough to make it practical (sometimes it's unlimited for a month) but it'd be perfect while you're looking for work. Plus, you never know who you'll meet who might a good work referral person.

   Posted 9 months ago #
7. 

   gracie
   

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   I see weights for sale at Goodwill and Value Village all the time. And yes, walking is really good. I had to lay off, due to an injury, and man those pounds just starting pililng on.
   Do you have any experience warehousing? Just saw City of Seattle has a new listing for a warehouseman.

   Posted 9 months ago #
8. 

   onederfullone
   

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   warehouseman...

   Really?

   I'm not interested, but, what the heck?

   You'd think PC Central(aka C(sh)ity of Seattle) would choose a less generic term...

   Couldn't a warehousewoman do it?

   As far as short term weight loss, I hear it's a bad idea. Better to look long term, get up and move, it can't be all that bad if you stick to it.

   Posted 9 months ago #
9. 

   InterbayGirl
   

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   Wait? WHAT?!?
   Mongo? You think a "gym membership is more about socialization and steam rooms than it is about exercise."???

   Gee. I must have been doing it wrong all this time....

   Posted 9 months ago #
10. 

    teigyr
    

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    InterbayGirl, I see Mongo's point. You can do far more with free weights than weight machines, treadmills are not required and it's better to walk/run outside, there are city pools, so what's left is the steam room and other people :) I quit the gym over a year ago and couldn't be happier. I sometimes go to the pool (city pool is FAR nicer than the gym one was) and I go to a pilates studio but everything else is on my own. I never used a personal trainer at the gym but I used to watch them and THEY rarely put their clients on machines, most everything could be done at home with minimal equipment.

    Posted 9 months ago #
11. 

    ballardmike
    

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    Stairs.

    Posted 9 months ago #
12. 

    Catherine
    

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    If you have some cash to spend on this - Crossfit gyms or just the workouts which you can do at home or at the local playground, zumba classes, look up the workouts for Tough Mudder, or the boot camps that happen in the parks in the morning. All different, all have different intensities, styles, and cash outlays. Or... I have a bunch of work that could be done on a volunteer basis that involves moving gravel, digging up sod, digging fence posts, weeding, hauling and the like for a non-profit :-)

    Stairs are good, burpees, 100 day pushup challenge. 100 day burpee challenge. Find a neighbor's dog to run. Become a volunteer walker or runner for the Seattle Animal Shelter.

    Posted 9 months ago #

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