My Take on California Fitness

Tks gers, I'll bear that in mind: work is secondary to balance in life. (And last night I slept at 3am coz was doing slides for work!)
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Since I don’t really have anything happening going on these days, let me open your eyes to the modern, high-end work-out place frequented by the busy executives and young rich kids these days.

My regular jogging partner couldn’t join me these two works (blame it on busy work), I’ve decided to continue my weekly after-work exercising in the gym. Happily using my LadyCard’s complimentary passes, I popped into California Fitness gym at Republic Plaza II on Wednesday evening.

Right at the front entrance, a reception counter with black beings (who ask them to have all-black polo tees as uniform) “welcomed” me. It was my first visit there, so was a little apprehensive and didn’t quite know the procedures. But of course I didn’t want others to know I’m that “suagu”, so I put on a false front and acted like I’m just going through the motion. The scene behind the counter wasn’t exactly that inviting – endless treadmill runs with small TV screens in front. Everything looks like components of a standard manufacturing machine in a factory.

After signing in with my pass, I followed the other women and headed down a small flight of stairs to the towel counter, exchanged towels with my towel pass, followed again the rest of the women to the changing room. In there were rows of lockers, changing rooms, bathing rooms, toilets, big mirrors and hair-dryers. Then I realised we need own key locks for the lockers since padlocks are not provided. Quite stupid huh. In the end I took the risk and dumped my barang barang into a locker near the hair-drying area (where more people hang around compared to the inner lockers). My wallet and valuables could have been easily stolen by anyone who noticed the absence of padlock. I must have been lucky to have all things intact at the end of the 2-hour workout session.

The equipment was insufficient for all’s needs, especially the static ones. And I couldn’t find the abdominal-cruncher equipment! How can they miss out such an important one? So I went running on the treadmill facing the glass window, but with blinds covering most of the beautiful city view, left for only a veiled view. I wasn’t able to go fast, with maximum allowable speed of 7.2 and limited inclination periods. But it’s good coz I can set any time period I wish to. So it was a 30 mins run for me.. shiok. Proceeded to the “tedious machine” (dunno its real name) and only managed a meager 10 mins. So siong! Gotta do strenuous leg steps with arm movements (hands grabbing the handlebars). No wonder I saw only guys using that equipment.

Bathing there is not that bad, they provide shampoo, conditioner and body foam. But I dare not use theirs in use it gets my hair entangled. And the women there don’t really care about privacy. They wrap towels, wear their undies and bras in front of everyone else without even glancing to see if there’s anyone whom they know nearby. Their “openness” is indeed quite eye-opening, just that you may not want to see lumpy pieces here and there.

In conclusion, I much prefer my breezy Marina Promenade and stone-pathed Bedok Reservoir track. Wanna soak in own sweat, even to smell it, feel it. Plus I get to see fellow joggers, including the hunky ones and sometimes ang mohs too! Extra motivation to run faster and catch up. =P