The weather is changing, and for New Yorkers it means less time exercising outdoors and more time spent inside. Personally, I get very bored running on a treadmill or working out on the elliptical for more than 15 minutes. Instead of letting the change in weather hinder my exercise routine, I am taking full advantage of it.

I’ve decided to change up my routine and try some things that I normally wouldn’t be able to do. Although the outdoors offers endless opportunities to work out, there are some things that you can only do at the gym. Since I am unable to attend many classes that are offered in the summer and fall, I decided to take advantage of the opportunities that the gym has to offer. There are tons of different classes offered at my gym: from yoga to cardio kickboxing; to classes held in the pool; to classes working with heavy bags.

What’s great about these classes is their ability to change up any workout routine. A person no longer has to stay on a treadmill for an hour to get in their cardio; they can take part in a spin class or cardio kickboxing. The treadmill can still be used as a form of exercise, but instead of five days a week, it can be used one day.

Another great part of being part of a gym and taking advantage of the classes are the instructors. I like to work out with both free weights and machines. Since I started going to the gym again, I took part in a circuit training class.

Many people don’t realize what actually goes into exercising the correct way. If the seat is not adjusted the right way for a person’s particular body, or if the weights are off, the person will not be working out for maximum benefit. By attending these classes, I have been able to see what I was doing wrong on my own and how much I am capable of actually lifting. I’ve learned what muscles should be targeted on certain days, when and how long to rest, etc. After attending a few of these classes I am now able to do it on my own, with complete confidence that I am doing it the right way.

So, I definitely think that if someone is looking for a gym membership, a good thing to look for is whether classes are offered and, if so, which ones. Every gym will have treadmills; it’s the gyms that have the different classes that will really make a difference in a person’s workouts.

-Ashley Asquino