Marilyn MC 3/7/25–After taking a day off from working out—because my arms felt like they were about to transform into the Hulk—I knew I needed the rest. Besides, we had to pack up and leave the VRBO rental, which turned out to be not at all what we expected. With all the moving around, I figured my body deserved a break.
Once we booked a hotel that allowed dogs, my next mission was finding a gym. A quick Google search led me to Aspire, which was conveniently close by. I booked the class that same morning because, at this point, I wasn’t taking any chances with more unplanned changes. I signed up online, completed the waiver (which, by the way, saves you from signing your life away in person), and paid the drop-in fee. And just like that, my husband, the dog, and I were off—but out of the three of us, I was the only one voluntarily signing up for an hour of self-inflicted torture.
The gym itself was great—spacious, with bathrooms and a shower available. Gina, the coach, introduced herself. She was from Long Island, and immediately, there was that unmistakable East Coast vibe between us. Everyone at the gym was friendly, which I’ve learned is a reflection of the coach. After dropping into so many gyms on my travels, I can confidently say that the personality of a gym starts at the top. Gina was not just a great coach—she was an all-around awesome human being.
She explained the workout, and the first part? All abs. Fantastic. Exactly what I needed after a day of feeling like a human U-Haul. The core exercises were killer but much needed. I definitely have to get my core strengthened after so many years of lower back pain. I pretty much stopped using my abs, so I knew this workout was going to be brutal—and it was. Then came the EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) portion of the training, which was another absolute killer. But in a weird way, I loved it.
The gym definitely felt familiar to me. I once went to a CrossFit gym that didn’t have that same welcoming feel, and that’s something I’m starting to notice after visiting a few different ones. There’s a personality to a gym—a kind of culture—and I’m beginning to pick up on that vibe every time I drop in somewhere new. Aspire had that sense of community, and it made all the difference.
If youre ever in the area and looking for a solid gym, I 100% recommend Aspire.
5 /5
