Simply The Best

Last day of membership at Pulse Leisure Club today, before starting at the new gym next month. Sad to be leaving but it’s not the same as when we joined four years ago. At that time the club had a lot of autonomy in the way it was run and there was little interference from the hotel owners. You felt like you were a valued member. Since the hotel was sold to a corporate group a couple of years ago they have gradually imposed more of their ideals on the way it is run, and it now feels like just another hotel facility where we members are tolerated rather than encouraged and it feels like priority is given to hotel guests having access to the pool and gym. The discount we had for a joint, off peak membership has also been pulled and though cost isn’t a prime factor, in conjunction with the above it was enough to make us go elsewhere.
It has been worthwhile though. On my first “induction” day, I ended up flat in my back in reception with ice cold towels on my forehead and neck. In spite of only doing very light exercise, I’d come over very light headed and thought I was going to pass out. Since then I’ve - literally - gone from strength to strength. Damaged my back at the start of 2020 and had only just recovered when lockdown hit. Training was only possible again from August and that only lasted until the beginning of November. Just before it closed I managed a personal best Dumbbell Chest Press of 64kg (2 x 32) which was a target I’d set myself two years previously, having seen one of the staff achieve it. Since going back to the gym in April I’ve been steadily working back up to pre-pandemic levels and achieved most of them in this last week of membership. For a final hurrah I picked up the 34kg dumbbells - a total weight of 68kg - and with a member of staff spotting me, I went for it. And made it!! 8 decent reps and 2 scrappy ones, but I’d done it. Quite embarrassed by the round of applause from those around me who knew I was attempting an all time PB! Good to walk out on a high and, who knows, we may come back one day if circumstances change.