Defining Daniel | Equinox Fitness Club: Bay St. Week 1

“It’s Not Fitness. It’s Life.”

Week # 1

They say the first step into the gym is the most powerful and the hardest. Well, I thought the same thing until I returned to the gym last week for the first time in months. The big 3-0 is around the corner in October, and I want to feel good inside and out; I want to find balance and be the best me I can be. That’s the premise behind this column.

When I had the opportunity to work with Equinox Bay Street, how could I resist? I finally committed to a gym, and this is the opportunity I get hot & healthy and stay that way once and for all. I got my running shoes & gym gear on and off I went to  join a friend of mine from ASC Public Relations for a cardio fitness class. In my mind, with running a half marathon a year ago how difficult could it be? However, day one did not go as planned. I’ll be blunt about what happened next.

I lasted twenty minutes before I had to excuse myself to be ill in the washroom and felt faint for an hour.

THAT was a wake up call. I’m still known as the guy who vomited at the gym.  It’s become a running joke between the staff and I every time I check in.  But am I ashamed in admitting this? Absolutely not. That day was my failed attempt to complete a class(and to be honest, a tough class) and prove to myself I was the man I was a year ago. With a bruised ego and barely warm gym clothes in hand, I sat down afterwards and thought long and hard about how difficult getting fit can be. And how each and every one of us sometimes needs to hit rock bottom in order to get back up and make a step in the right direction.

This has been a tough week for me. With a crazy TIFF schedule and not being able to get to the gym 7 days a week, I’ve had to strategically pick my battles. But I’ve had a chance to experience several visits and get a good routine of fitness in my life all over again.

Week one down. Three solid weeks to go. And I couldn’t be more pumped to get back to that class before the end of the month and prove to myself that I can do it, bigger and better then ever.

Focus of the week:

The personal touch from the staff at Equinox is the best customer service I have ever gotten from a gym. They are a huge corporation like other gyms, with thousands of members, and yet you feel like you are taken care individually. I receive emails on the regular to book new classes, organize personal training sessions which are offered to every member or to follow up on my progress. You won’t find that at other gym’s in this city, and you can trust me when I say that because I contemplated AND tried the other options.

Secret Weapon:

Something that even most Equinox members might not know about is the online fitness blog. Although I am not one to send traffic to other blogs if I can keep you here with Julio and I, this is one each one of us should look at for inspiration and information. Q by Equinox is a tool that offers online nutritional facts, workouts and features of all kinds. Think of it as a gym at your fingertips, and it’s all free. Yes, free. Who would have thought that a gym would offer a resource as valuable as this for no charge! The whole premise is to offer the tools you’ll need to maintain what you learn in the gym and carry it with you when you leave. I am still exploring new tips, tricks, and let’s be honest checking out pictures of some of the men.

It’s time to focus on me again with all these tools at my disposal in the month of September. Although I hate to admit it, I have over 20% body fat again as I am starting out anew and my waist is two sizes too big for my liking.  So be it.  This is me at the moment and I have had to accept that. But with the help of my friends at @Equinox #BaySt I am well on my way to #DefiningDaniel both mentally and physically.

Photos: Equinox

Daniel Desforges