[Sportsandrec] Anyone totally blind and member of a gym?

[Carly Mihalakis]

Hi, Tanya,

         I don't know if this will work as well for you as it does 
for many other totals on this board, but my total common law husband, 
Robin and I are devotees to indoor cycling, aka spin class where you 
use an indoor bicycle to execute a complete workout. Usually there is 
a soundtrack to which you change cadences according to the 
instructors direction.
Spin classes are conducted in a single room or area so you can learn 
how to get to the spin area, then in my experience other members of 
the class are very willing to assist with setting up the bike, after 
your settings are identified.
Some people on this board say each member of the class is outfitted 
with headphones for getting the instructions, though this is not the 
case at our gym, at Berkeley Ironworks the instructor calls the 
instructions in his natural voice.  Each instructor has his own style 
and you learn to spot the details of how he delivers the directions, 
though they are fundamentally the same from instructor to instructor.
I encourage you to give it a try, for once you have been bitten by 
the spin bug there is no looking back.
Since that spin bug found me, I eat whatever I want and, I imagine 
look alright, not to mention feel great! It's a really body thing, spin is.
When i am not able to go, I definitely feel it.
Good luck, and please, other spinners, the time is now for you to speak up!
Carly  of Berkeley, California7/7/2010, you wrote:
>Hi all!  I realize many of you are at convention (where I wish I was);
>but hopefully I'll still get some feedback.
>
>I really want to join my local YMCA gym.  However, I'm hesitant because
>I'm totally blind and quite a bit overweight, and I'm afraid I'll  be
>uncomfortable trying to navigate in tight quarters between the
>equipment, bumping in to or disturbing people during their workout,
>having to always find someone to assist with setting up cardio machines
>or convince them to let me label them in braille, etc.  I have very good
>travel skills and I'm familiar with the various machines.  I've gone to
>gyms in the past but always with a friend who could guide or direct me
>to the next machine.  This time I'll be on my own and I want to feel
>comfortable if I'm going to put out the money for a gym membership.
>Thankfully, the YMCA doesn't require a contract and I do plan on hiring
>a personal trainer for a few sessions to get me started.
>
>Anyone have any ideas or advice from your personal experience on how I
>can overcome my fears?  Also, how have you dealt with fitness classes?
>Are instructor's usually pretty good about meeting with you one-on-one
>at least once before class to go over the moves and terminology they'll
>be using?
>
>Thanks so much!
>
>Tonia
>
>
>Have any of you had similar
>
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