5 Common Gym Questions and Answers

Whether you’ve had your gym membership for ages, or you’re new  to the fitness community, everyone has questions about going to the gym. What do you bring with you? Where can you find the equipment you need? As always, we’ve got you covered. Below we’ve answered five of the most common gym questions we’ve come across. Anything else you’re curious about? Leave questions in the comments below!

1. What should I bring with me to the gym?

Depends how you like to work out but some common items include:

• Gym bag
• Phone or iPod for music
• Headphones
• Water bottle
• Sweat towel
• Lock

If you plan on showering, you will likely want to include toiletries, a shower towel, flip flops, and a change of clothes.

2. Where do I leave my stuff?

Most gyms will have lockers where you can leave your gym bag or personal items. You may want to call ahead to see if the lockers are located in the general workout area or if they have gender-specific locker rooms. Typically you’ll want to bring a personal lock to keep your items secure while you work out.

 

3. How can I sign up for classes?

All gyms are different. Some will allow you to sign up online while others will require you to sign up in person. Additionally, busier classes may not open up for registration until the week or day of. Be sure to check with your gym to see what they recommend for the classes you’re interested in.

 

4. How long should I spend on the machines when the gym is busy?

If you’re using a cardio machine, it’s courteous to try and limit your usage to 20-30 minutes. With weight machines, try to stick to 2-3 efficient sets. If you want to take longer rests between sets, encourage someone else to use the equipment while you’re taking your break. This allows you to maximize your time on the machine while being considerate of other people’s time.

5. What’s the difference between free weights and machine weights?

A free weight can be classified as any object or device that can be moved freely in three-dimensional space. Some of the more common free-weights in a gym would be:

• Dumbells
• Barbells
• Medicine ball
• Ankle weights
• The human body (the ultimate free-weight of all!)

On the other hand, any exercise machine in a gym such as a pec-dec or a smith machine is a perfect example of what can be considered high-tech training apparatus or machine weights.

Not sure which one to use? Find more information on the differences between the two at BodyBuilding.com.

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to learn more about how you can earn cash reimbursements for your gym visits! Ready to sign up for your free eligibility check? You can do that too, here.

Photo cred: Shrinking Guy, Words on Wellness, PopSugar

 

Gym feature: Olympic Athletic Club

While there are some fitness chains that are doing great, innovative things, there are so many independent gyms that deserve recognition too! To that end, we are going to start highlighting gyms across the country that we think are doing any awesome job. First one up? Olympic Athletic Club in Seattle, Washington.

Summary: Names “Best Health Club/Fitness Practice” by Seattle Magazine in 2012 and voted “Best Gym in Seattle” in the Best of Citysearch 2013, Olympic Athletic Club in Ballard went through a major renovation a year ago, with first class upgrades including a second pool, new locker rooms, more studio space for over 90 available fitness classes and tons of brand new equipment to get your heart race up”. [Red Tricycle]

Amenities: Group exercise classes, two lap swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, men’s and women’s steam rooms, court sports, and the latest cardiovascular and weight training equipment

Bonus: 10 hours of free childcare is given to Single-Family and Family membership holders each month. Additional childcare is available for just $3/hour.

“One little quirk is that the upstairs cardio room overlooks Ballard Ave. and in the summer you can smell BBQ when the windows are open”.

– Michelle Y. of Seattle, Washington [Yelp]

Club information:

Olympic Athletic Club
5301 Leary Ave. N.W.
Seattle, Wa 98107
206-789-5010
Online: olympicathleticclub.com

Photo cred: Red Tricycle, Yelp

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to learn more about how you can earn cash reimbursements for your gym visits! Ready to sign up for your free eligibility check? You can do that too, here.

 

Common Gym Terms You Should Know

Let’s face it, the gym can be daunting. Whether it’s your first time at a health club in years or you’re trying out new equipment, there can be a lot to learn to navigate your way around! Naturally, we’ve got you covered. Below is a glossary of some of the most common gym terms and what they mean, so you can walk around like you own the place.

Train

Spot: When someone assists another person with an exercise. ie: “Can you spot me?” or “I need a spotter.”

Rep – A rep (short for repetitions) is how many times you do a single exercise in a row. i.e.: “I did 8 reps at 80 pounds”.

Set – A set refers to a group of repetitions done without stopping. i.e.: “Do 3 sets of 10 reps”

Circuit Training – A method of physical conditioning in which one moves from one exercise to another, usually in a series of different stations or pieces of equipment.

Intervals – This is when you train at a low intensity for a period of time, followed by a high intensity.

Body 

Ripped – Someone is ripped when they have very low body fat and muscle separation is visible and defined. i.e.: “That guys is ripped!”

Pecs – Short for pectoral muscles (especially with reference to the development of these muscles in bodybuilding).

 

Lats – Short for Latissimus Dorsi – the large muscles that run down the back

Quads – Quadriceps (front of the thighs)

Core – Refers to your trunk – your low back, mid back, abdominals, obliques and stabilizers.

What other terms do you think are important to know? Leave in the comments below!

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to see if you’re eligible for a free gym reimbursement check!

References: “Do You Speak Gym” via pfitblog, “The Ultimate Guide to Gym Lingo” via greatist.

 

10 Ways to Save Money at the Gym

We hear it all the time: “I can’t afford to go to the gym”. While it is true that gym memberships aren’t free, there is no reason cost should hold you back from a healthy lifestyle. In fact, if you work it right, you may be able to break even or better yet, MAKE money by going to the gym! With all the health incentive programs entering the industry right now, there has never been a better (or cheaper) time to focus on your fitness. Here are 10 creative ways for you to save money at the gym:

1. Research daily deals in your area

Flash sales offer a great way to get a deep discount on a regularly high-ticket classes. Better yet, you can shop around before committing to your favorite. Try Groupon, LivingSocial, or Zozi to find some local deals.

2. Commit at the right time

You can usually get the best deals around the end of the year holidays (Christmas, New Year’s Eve) or during the slower summers. Gyms have financial goals they have to hit and will likely offer the best discounts to prospect members during this time.

3. Walk to the gym

Obviously, this one depends how far you live from your gym, but if it’s manageable, you should always walk! Not only do you save money on gas or parking, you get the benefit of that warm up and cool down time.

4. Bring your own supplies

This includes things that you spend money on at the gym, such as:

• Locks
• Water bottles
• Protein shakes
• Post-workout snacks

These things tend to add up!

5. Refer friends!

Most gyms have referral programs and will give you all kinds of incentives for bringing in prospective members. The perks range from gift cards to membership credits to cold hard cash!

6. Utilize the free personal training session

Before you decide to splurge on a trendy fitness class, remember that many gyms offer a free personal training session with your yearly membership. Take advantage of this free pass, at the very least, and keep an eye out for package deals or group rates with your favorite trainer!

7. Check your insurance

Many health insurance companies offer gym reimbursements to members who workout regularly. For example, UnitedHealthcare gives $20 to every member who goes to the gym 12 times or more a month. That adds up to $240 a year! Find out if you’re eligible for cash reimbursements here, or simply fill your info into the form below:

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8. Prepay upfront

You can save a ton of cash by paying for 12 or 24 months upfront. For example, you can buy a 2-year membership certificate for 24 Hour Fitness at Costco for $369.99. That works out to $15 a month!

9. Two words: corporate discounts

Ask your employer if your company offers any corporate discounts. The savings are usually pretty steep (20-30%) and chances are, the gyms in the program are close to your office.

10. Wear your FitBit and cash out

Who knew that you could earn money for using your FitBit? Rewards include things like Walgreen’s Balance Reward points, perks from AchieveMint, or donations to charity. (You can see a full list of awesome incentives here.)

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to see if you’re eligible for a free gym reimbursement check!

Photo cred: YMCA Twin Cities, notyourgoodfatty.com, picturecorrect.com, worldfitnesscertification.com

I’m not eligible for a gym reimbursement, what does that mean?

As we know, many insurance companies now offer gym reimbursements for employees who workout regularly. This typically comes with a lot of paperwork, which is where spott3r comes in! Simply enter your information, and we handle all of the logistics for you.

There are instances, however, where someone may not be eligible for a gym reimbursement. Has this happened to you? Chances are its due to one of these reasons:

1. You don’t have a gym membership. 

While all fitness reimbursements are different, most require you to attend a gym or organization that they partner with. Not sure which ones qualify? Take a look at the insurance company’s website! (For example, UnitedHealthcare has a full list of the gyms they partner with here.)

2. Your employer doesn’t currently offer a reimbursement

Not all employers have jumped on the fitness train yet. Consider reaching out to your HR department and encouraging them to find a plan that offers reimbursements! After all, a healthy employee is generally less expensive. (See how one company saved $280,000 by implementing fitness into their work culture here.)

3. Your current plan with your insurance company doesn’t offer a reimbursement

While many insurance companies offer health incentives, not all of them are there yet. Ask your insurance company to consider adding reimbursements to their fitness programs, and remind them that healthier members will cost less in the long run!

Alternatively, you can consider switching health care providers! Spott3r Founder, Rami Rafeh, recommends the following: Oxford, United Healthcare, Meritain Health, Harvard Pilgrims, Blue Cross Blue Shield.

4. You don’t go to the gym enough

Keep in mind that most fitness reimbursement programs require a minimum activity in order to get your reimbursement for the month. ​For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare require that you go to the gym 12 times a month in order to receive the reimbursement ($20).

More answers to frequently asked questions here.

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to learn more about how you can earn cash reimbursements for your gym visits! Ready to sign up for your free eligibility check? You can do that too, here.

 Image via All Around Fitness

How Companies Can Save Money With Fitness Programs

Companies are hopping on the fitness bandwagon and it’s paying off. Thanks to provisions in the Affordable Care Act, which offers companies incentives for implementing wellness programs, there are more reasons than ever for companies to take social responsibility (and save money while they’re at it!).

One such success story begins with Appirio, who managed to shave $280,000 off their insurance premiums through their program CloudFit. The program got started when Appirio signed up with Anthem, which offered the company $20,000 to start a wellness program. They used this to purchase and distribute Fitbits to their employees. Data from these devises were used to shave 5% off their premiums the following year – how’s that for a chunk of Change!

Want to get in on the action? There are a lot of ways for companies to take advantage of these savings.

Many insurance companies offer cash reimbursements to those that regularly visit the gym. Spott3r makes it super easy to take advantage of this insurance perk. All you have to do is fill out this form to get your free eligibility check. Spott3r member, Lindsay, just got her first gym reimbursement check of $20. That adds up to a yearly $240 cash in! Learn more here.

 

 

Gym reimbursements. Seriously.

Did you know that you can earn cash for working out? If you’re a gym regular and have health insurance, it’s your lucky day.

It is a fact that many insurance companies have programs to pay members who go to the gym on a regular basis. Why do they offer this benefit? There’s a ton of literature on adverse selection, moral hazard and all that good health economics stuff but in a nutshell, chances are that if you stay in good shape, you’ll dramatically lower your risk of chronic conditions and therefore reduce overall healthcare spend.

Taking advantage of this perk is a no brainer. However, filling out the paperwork can be time consuming – which is where we come in. Spott3r is a New York based healthcare startup that is dedicated to paying people to work out. You create the profile, we handle the logistics. Get your free eligibility check here.