Quiet Gyms for irritable old men in Canberra?

I agree with you, although I am neither old nor a man.
I’ve recently moved from the ANU gym to CISAC (which is ludicrously expensive).
I didn’t like the music at the ANU gym, so I wore headphones and listened to my own. This isn’t an option at CISAC, as the music is so loud that I can’t hear my own unless I turn the volume up to pain-inducing levels.
It’s pretty annoying.
If you find one that’s appropriately zen, I’d love to know about it.

OpenYourMind said :

Here’s some thoughts, some or all of which may help or may not apply to you:
A gym is not the only answer to getting fit. In my opinion, often the decision to join a gym is the first mistake beginners make. They somehow imagine all those wonderful programs, shiny machines and expensive gym fees are what will make them fitter and then kind of miss the fact that no matter what, the hard work needs to still be put in. Gyms make heaps out of people paying up front and quickly losing interest.
If you are looking for something a little more sedate, at least in music, a dedicated yoga class might be a better choice.
If you are looking for some resistance training, it might be easier to get a personal trainer to create a program for you, and then if you have the space get some equipment for your home. Then just get the trainer to check your form now and then. In total that might well cost you lots less than a gym membership and you can listen to whatever music you damn well like.
No matter what, slowly building some cardio into your workout that gets your heart rate higher and holds it there is worthwhile. There’s lots of things you can do that don’t involve music that you don’t like. If your joints are up to it, fast walking and or slow jogging on soft surfaces is great for your cardio. Or you can try what is now the middle aged fad of thee 2000s, cycling. You’ll find that there are heaps of 40+ people getting into cycling these days and it’s a fantastic activity. Best of all, it usually involves a coffee stop at a cafe!
Finally, surrounding yourself with like minded people who are enjoying their exercise will do wonders for your own motivation.

“Best of all, it usually involves a coffee stop at a cafe!”
Or a trip to ED at The Canberra Hospital according to a report in today’s CT.

OpenYourMind said :

Here’s some thoughts, some or all of which may help or may not apply to you:
A gym is not the only answer to getting fit. In my opinion, often the decision to join a gym is the first mistake beginners make. They somehow imagine all those wonderful programs, shiny machines and expensive gym fees are what will make them fitter and then kind of miss the fact that no matter what, the hard work needs to still be put in. Gyms make heaps out of people paying up front and quickly losing interest.

Do you reckon you can get off your high horse? The OP asked a question, I don’t think he came here to read a lecture about he has made a beginners mistake wanting to go to the gym. How about treating his intelligence with a bit of respect until proven otherwise?

Skip the gym and spend the membership money on a treadmill. Then you can walk briskly whilst listening to your own music, watching tv, or just in blissful peace and quiet.

Walking is better than hi-cardio (see links below) so save your money.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/apr/05/brisk-walk-healthier-running-scientistshttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2278319/Walking-better-gym-Long-periods-gentle-exercise-beneficial-high-intensity-workout.html

Here’s some thoughts, some or all of which may help or may not apply to you:
A gym is not the only answer to getting fit. In my opinion, often the decision to join a gym is the first mistake beginners make. They somehow imagine all those wonderful programs, shiny machines and expensive gym fees are what will make them fitter and then kind of miss the fact that no matter what, the hard work needs to still be put in. Gyms make heaps out of people paying up front and quickly losing interest.
If you are looking for something a little more sedate, at least in music, a dedicated yoga class might be a better choice.
If you are looking for some resistance training, it might be easier to get a personal trainer to create a program for you, and then if you have the space get some equipment for your home. Then just get the trainer to check your form now and then. In total that might well cost you lots less than a gym membership and you can listen to whatever music you damn well like.
No matter what, slowly building some cardio into your workout that gets your heart rate higher and holds it there is worthwhile. There’s lots of things you can do that don’t involve music that you don’t like. If your joints are up to it, fast walking and or slow jogging on soft surfaces is great for your cardio. Or you can try what is now the middle aged fad of thee 2000s, cycling. You’ll find that there are heaps of 40+ people getting into cycling these days and it’s a fantastic activity. Best of all, it usually involves a coffee stop at a cafe!
Finally, surrounding yourself with like minded people who are enjoying their exercise will do wonders for your own motivation.

I would have thought with the cancellation of Foreshore that the level of doof-doof music would have dropped off along with the number of guys working on their arms?

At any rate, try the gym at the AIS. Small gym, lots of gear/machines, no meatheads, there is still music on but it’s not cranking.

Quiet Gyms for irritable old men don’t tend to last very long.

I’d recommend Trick Fitness any day over Flames Fitness. Same concept, roughly the same price you get a trainer working with you for what you want. However is costly. Prob cost you about $2500-$3000 for a year. I used to pay $660 for 12 weeks at Flames and that was sometime ago. But as a female I felt quite ignored and mistreated at Flames, would never go back again.

On the cheaper option. I currently train at Fit N Fast Belco, only $8 a week for a restricted membership or $12 for a full membership where you can bring a friend when you train. I haven’t noticed the gym being overly loud music wise but they don’t have any classes. Hence the cost being low.

This thread is lol

Best kept secret in Canberra, http://www.flexible4life.com.au/. I have been going there for years now. Am 65.

As an aspiring IOM and a gym junky I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to ask for the staff to : “TURN IT DOWN!”. Unfortunately the staff have been told by management they must keep the music on. You’ll not get far complaining. Just use it as an exercise in developing inner calm.

Mike Crowther said :

I’m over 55. I joined Flames Fitness at Lyneham. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Tell them what you want to achieve, turn up and do what they tell you and it will happen. As for the music? Not a big fan of ‘doof’ myself, but this can be circumvented by using an ipod or MP3 player. Put the headphones on and listen to your own beat while you work out.

I second Mike’s recommendation for Flames though, as an IOM, I detest the doof and mindless Autotune-infested pop music that they play. Thankfully it’s rarely very loud and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones plugged into my phone playing podcasts of interesting wireless programs blocks out all but the worst of this rubbish.

Try some Ethical Nutrients, it’ll clear you right up.

there’s plenty of yoga classes or pilates classes held outside of gyms.

If you want to avoid the bright lights and the doof, try a community hall yoga session or two.

I’m over 55. I joined Flames Fitness at Lyneham. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Tell them what you want to achieve, turn up and do what they tell you and it will happen. As for the music? Not a big fan of ‘doof’ myself, but this can be circumvented by using an ipod or MP3 player. Put the headphones on and listen to your own beat while you work out.