the day after

With Thanksgiving out of the way, it is time to think about burning some calories before the next big eating binge. And what better way to do so than to go shopping? This is black Friday start of the retail season. Or maybe you prefer a trip to the gym to work off those extra calories? Given that the average American over-eats by about 2,000 calories on Thanksgiving Day, there is plenty of burning to do. And no shortage of good intentions it seems.

The US leads the world in the number of "health clubs." According to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the US health industry had $17.6 billion in revenues in 2006. That compares to just over $10 billion in Western Europe, where the population is at least 1/3 higher than in the US. As of January 0f 2007, there were an estimated 29,357 clubs and 43.7 million health club members in the country. 

Just over half the members belong to commercial clubs. The next biggest category is the YMCA and YWCA memberships at 19%. 2/3 of the members are in the 18-54 age category, nearly equally divided between 18-34 and 35-54. Women make up 57%. Half of the membership has incomes over $75,000 a year, and 1/3 make over $100,000.

Gyms it seems are a great place to socialize. And socializing is what most people do when they get there. When it comes to calories however, gyms don't do so well. You'd be better of walking or jogging there. Burning calories requires prolonged and steady exercise and that is the type of exercise gyms are particularly unsuited for. Even though the places are stacked with treadmills, stairsteppers, stationary bicycles, ellipticals, rowing machines, and other aerobics equipment, few if any, use them correctly. And don't expect any help from the club either.

In order to satisfy everyone, clubs limit aerobic exercise equipment use to 30 minutes or less. Given that it takes about 15 to 25 minutes to become fully aerobic, hardly anyone can get to a workout within the time limit. But no sweat, experience has shown that most people give up after a mere 20 minutes of watching TV while jogging or walking. And sweat is the right word. Most people would dread to sweat hard in public.

Most gyms keep up a cozy temperature. You would not want anyone to catch a cold now would you? And that is why most restrict the use of fans too. But it is hardly possible to get a good workout on a stationary machine without adequate cooling. And that would mean a frigid sub-60 degree room with plenty of fans moving air around. And a decent size puddle of sweat under each machine. Yuk, where is the fun in that?

In the end this may not be so bad. Because research has shown that stationary exercise puts a lot of (heat) stress on one's system. Some have even argued that indoor exercise may not be all that good for you. Keep that in mind when you walk on the treadmill. Oh, and don't forget a coke and a snack on the way out. You can always go on a diet later.