Game ON

I started my new gym this Sunday, and the only thing I can say is holy goodness.

The cycling studio is equipped with the Keiser M3, including the computer panel that can read your heart rate monitor. Arnold is one of the instructors and pointed out that we are probably the only studio in the state that has the M3s. He is very excited in sharing his training philosophy, which is modeled after Chris Carmichael 's program. It emphasizes using a percentage of your maximum wattage as opposed to your maximum heart rate, and he will have his cyclist monitor the increase of their maximum wattage every five weeks.

The multitude of conditioning classes is also great. I can get the recommended three strength sessions per week, and do a toning or some other type of endurance strength class on the other days in combination with my own cardio work. If I still don't get the cuts that I want, I don't think anything will.

The studio rooms are in and by themselves fantastic. The ventilation and sound systems are great - screeching head set microphones and thermal issues are entirely not present. The flooring is quite special because of a layer of shock absorption that lowers the impact on your joints, without a bounce back feel. Jumping around in the studio made me think that my toe had completely recovered, but I discovered that wasn't true at all after half an hour into one of the cycling classes.

My toe still bothering me slightly, and I'm a little worried that I may not finish this Sunday's half marathon in Allentown. Oh well, whatever happens happens.