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Life's Too Short... so make the most of it! Try something new, eat something healthy, grow something beautiful, hug someone you love, move around a lot, and be kind to yourself. Melanie Cole, MS brings you the best tips from lifestyle and fitness experts to the best and brightest medical professionals.

How to Get the Most out of Your Apartment Gym

From the Show: Life's Too Short
Summary: It's time to take advantage of the apartment gym that's included in your lease. You can even use these tips for hotel gyms.
Air Date: 3/6/18
Duration: 14:00
Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Guest Bio: Christopher Berger, PhD
Dr. Christopher BergerChristopher George Berger, PhD, ACSM EP-C, CSCS is an exercise physiologist with Arizona State University. 

He contributes a monthly fitness column to the Arizona Republic and chairs the American College of Sports Medicine Task Force on Healthy Air Travel.

If you have access to an on-site gym, do you take advantage of the facility? Do you use the cool gym at the hotel when you travel?

It’s time to get the most out of your gym access.

This is your opportunity to try something new. Equipment will be limited in comparison to a large gym.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your on-site gym.

  • Safety first. Most apartment gyms are remote. If you head to the community center at night, bring a buddy. You’ll feel safer going with a friend or familiar neighbor.
  • Hire a personal trainer if you’re new to the community and don’t know what to do. They’re insured and credentialed and will come to you. Apartment gyms aren’t crowded and have a small variety of equipment; both make trainers happy.
  • It’s convenient so you might take it for granted. Remember that you’re paying for it. Take advantage of the pool and gym.
  • Assess the available equipment and see what there is. Try out the things you haven’t used after learning how to use them.
  • Using your complex gym is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors. It’s great for handling depression and improving socialization.

Sample Workout

  1. Squats in front of a mirror with a medicine ball or dumbbell
  2. Crunches with large, fully-inflated therapy balls
  3. Shrugs, lateral and frontal raises with dumbbells
Listen as Dr. Christopher Berger joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to get the most out of your apartment gym.