“Combini Fitness” as they’re being called, are small fitness clubs about the size of a 7-Eleven. I live within walking distance to 3 of them but I can only join one because the other 2 are women only and I am a man. At first, when I walked by one of these places I was skeptical about why anyone would pay money to join such a tiny place with a limited number of machines. But then I thought it would be kind of cool to be able to do some exercise near home in the evenings. Generally, I go to the gym in the morning because it’s too crowded at night.
The concept of Quickshape is simply a small gym where you do a circuit training course comprised of 11 stations. A couple 1 minute songs play on a loop and when each song ends you get off the machine and move onto the next station. It’s hard to do any kind of circuit training at a regular gym because you often have to wait to use the next machine defeating the purpose. The mini circuit training gym is a great idea and will really appeal to the Japanese who prefer to have a structured workout laid out for them. It’s also very convenient and “quick.” I could leave my house, work out and be back home playing Zelda on my Wii within 30 minutes.
The monthly fee costs ¥5000 which is about half of what you normally pay for a fitness club membership in Japan. You don’t have to change your shoes, there’s no shower and just a few lockers to keep your stuff in. They have a limit of 300 members per gym and it hasn’t been very crowded the few times I’ve been there. Only 3 or 4 people. The 1 minute rule helps to keep you moving along without resting too much or getting lazy. So far, I can only do 2 rounds of the circuit before collapsing because I’m completely out of shape. I still intend on going to Goldsgym in the mornings and joined this gym to maximize fatloss. 2007 is going to be the year of rock hard chiseled abs. Pictures forthcoming! ;-)
hi roy!
these mini-gyms seem to be very cool… i’d only look out for one with a tiny mcdonald’s next door. this way you could include that into your circuit work-out-plan… at least i would consider that.
i also guess the equipment is always up-to-date… the picture definitely is an eye catcher.
is it open 24/7?
bye, dávid
About those abs. I’m sure you said that last year. It’s been a year. But then again Krispy Kreme just about equals rock-hard abs so you are at an advantage this year. Good luck!
david, there’s a mcdonalds about a block away and a MOS burger across the street. Stay away!!! Unfortunately, it’s not 24/7 but the hours are ok for me. The machines are OK, they have mulitple grips to minimize the need to adjusting. Good enough but not the best machines.
Percy, rock hard abs are always on my new years resolutions. But thank god I don’t really care much about Krispykremes..
One of my students is a part of one of these deals. I wonder if they’re as productive (or more productive) than doing one exercise consistently (like swimming or running). I have no idea how all the starting, stopping, and swapping affects heart rate or muscular conditioning but I’d be curious to know.
yeha. Zelda!. im on the last boss right now!….. working out is cool too.
These kinds of clubs are popping up here as well. These are unmanned and 24/7 with sophisticated security to keep people safe in the wee hours. Like Roy has figured out, they make a good supplement since they tend to be closer to home. I wonder if they will last?
Shari, circuit training is like a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise with weight training. It’s more tiring then aerobics because you are working out on machines with heavy weights and not much rest inbetween. Very hard!
Rafael, aren’t you supposed to be busy with exams? How have you managed to get to the end of Zelda already? Anyways, when I get stuck I’ll know who to call.
Robbie, interesting. Are these ones in the U.S. designed around circuit training as well or just standard gym equipment? If I were a woman I would be completely paranoid about going to a gym that had no staff.
I had to get another note in here about Krispy Kreme after reading an article in “Discover” magazine (January 2007, page 34) which states that these donuts are chock-full of trans-fatty acids and that trans fats are now scientifically proven to be not only toxic but they contribute to weight gain (especially around the abdomen which has correlations with cardiovascular disease); atherosclerosis; insulin resistance; heart disease; high cholesterol; type 2 diabetes; and hardened arteries. “(Trans fats) have no place in human diets.” “But they’re so yummy! Mmm. Mmm. Gimme a dozen!” Ha! I repeat. Fools!
Circuit-training is quite popular right now. 1 min on each machine is too short a time though, to get much effect. But good! coz guys cannot hog the upper limb machines in this case.
I doubt that the structured circuit training with music would ever go over here. American’s are too indepentance and territorial. “Hey, that’s MY machine and I’m not done yet” can be heard all over this country.
This is the fitness center thats popping up everywhere. The website is more about selling franchises then workout!.
http://www.anytimefitness.com/
I didn’t realize it’s a Minnesota company. No wonder there are so many around here.
seems OK to me
.. I mean a gym doesn’t necessarily have to be BIG
so I’d rather like someplace CLOSE to home,
especially since I have trouble drying hair
outside of home .