i used to do a lot of gym and free weights but due to work and lack of general motivation I let everything slide for a few years and now my core is lacking in strength and easily injured. I really pulled my lower back muscle doing a 5km run recently, and that was the point I thought "Oh crap, needs fixing asap", hence why I signed up to Kieser to build it up in a safe and more ergonomic way using the machines. Plus, it's only a few minutes walk from my place.
Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.
I have been a member for the last 20 years go every 4 days. I would seriously not want to face life at my age without the gym. I walk taller, ski hard all day without muscle ache, after initial no weight loss as muscle is heavier than fat, I lost weight and kept it off.
Kieser has been described as trading in a prison as there is no music or social side, but for a 1 hour session that brings maximum results, I don't think it can be beat...
Oh and no more backache in the morning!
Thanks for the feedback AbFab, that's exactly the kind of long-term impressions I was interested in hearing about.
I don't care a stuff about the social side, but having said that the people there are very friendly and I like the fact that there is no wasted time. It's also really not too busy.
6 hours personal training is 390chf, which is also not so bad for a few months in order to get used to the machines and get a bit of nmotivation drummed up.
It couldn't have been much of a success in Fribourg, it doesn't exist anymore and has been taken over by another fitness company.
I really liked my first two sessions and definitely felt the muscles being worked, so I think providing all goes well during the first month that I am going to give it 12 months and see what results I get.
The difference over free weights is that free weights also works more stabiliser muscles, but that's by the by for the moment. My focus for now is on safely strengthening my back and core, then I will start worrying about the rest.
Best way to get core strength is in my eyes a good personal trainer. But they of course don't come cheap in CH...
Free weights are of course better for overall muscle gain, but for best and safest results you either need a personal trainer who really knows what he is doing, or you really. It's exactly what I'm looking for to put on some strength and muscle mass in a controlled manner before I brand out to other things.
I did a 30min workout 1-2 times a week, that was totally sufficient to be effective and to be honest I loved it - very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff, no posers, no waiting for machines, no time wasting, no pumping music. I was able to zone out and found it to be a very efficient, quick but effective workout - easy for me to fit in to my busy working/family life. I usually went over lunch from work.
My goal when I joined was to complement my running, as I was training for a half marathon at the time and had had some slight knee and ankle niggles. Sorted those niggles right out and I felt great (got a PB in the half marathon too 😉 . I liked the targeted approach. I also liked seeing my rapid progress on my chart (of course you can do that elsewhere too). They also offer a free 'strength test' every (6?) months, to be able to quantify and compare how far you have come.
It was often almost empty when I was there, or there'd only be a couple of elderly folk doing their strength training. For me this was a bonus - I hate busy gyms! Nothing to be suspicious about as far as I'm concerned. If I remember right, you can do a couple of sessions free before deciding whether to commit to a membership, so maybe give that a go if you have doubts?
I think the lack of cardio machines and treadmills and the like may put off potential customers. I can imagine many perhaps prefer to get more wide ranging fitness training options, cardio, or group classes for their membership CHFs. I admit I was sceptical when I first heard about them. But if you get the rest of your fitness needs fulfilled running or cycling outside, for example, without the need for steppers and treadmills and bodypump classes, and you purely want the muscle/strength training, I really can not fault it and can only highly recommend it.
Editing to add: they also have a medical doctor you can have access to (very likely for an extra price, I can't quite remember) if you have specific physical medical problems to address.
I liked that they don't extend your membership automatically. They still send me birthday cards.
Initially I liked the ability to compartmentalise my workout as I had a problem in one area of my left arm lifting weight while stretching, which I could isolate and work on. They also have some of the best abs machines.
Occasionally there were a few bodybuilder types, and it was sometimes busy during early weekday evenings.
In terms of progress I gradually increased my load, and the instructors can be proactive about correcting your usage of the machines.
What put me off was some of the younger (20 yrs younger than I) instructors who tried to get me to push harder based on their perception of where I "needed" to be, rather than being focused on assisting me to get where I wanted to be and by when (given my slight injury), especially given the initial medical one receives from their doctor. So be prepared to push back.
I concur with the comments on lack of cardio equipment if you're used to warming up and down on a bike/elliptical or treadmill.
The locker area is relatively compact.
Overall I'd recommend it, especially as they won't bother you for a renewal (but will try to push you to take the 2 year plan).
I don't recall being asked to complete any satisfaction survey, although this may have changed in the meantime.
One other bonus is that there's a fitness shop nearby if you forget something.
I genuinely wouldn't have thought it would have been so effective, I'm even losing the mini tyre (I'm a very slim body type so the slightest bit of flab really shows on me) I had around my stomach as I combine the training with the weekend healthy stuff and a sensible diet.
There are definitely personal trainers there who work you much harder than other personal trainers, and when those guys aren't available I notice the difference, but overall I am happy with it and the results I am getting.
One of those, definitely! Plus I have zero "fitness and training" vocabulary outside of yoga/pilates.