Doing my bit to help out with the Credit Crunch…

[f4f3]

Having read at the weekend that JJB Sports took a kicking on the Stock Exchange, I thought I’d better go chuck some money into its coffers.

I did this in two ways, by joining its gym, and then by taking my 20% off voucher upstairs to spend in the store.

 The gym has a couple of things going for it. For one, they have a tie up with my current corporate masters which saved me the joining fee and 10% off the monthly membership. That takes the cost comfortably under what I was paying for the Glasgow Club, which I’d stopped using for a variety of reasons, but mostly because it was dirty and the machines kept breaking down. For another, the gyms at Coatbridge and Glasgow Fort are both very handy for my office – or at least as handy as anything is to Eurocentral. The one at Glasgow Fort is 5 minutes from the flat if there’s no traffic, and 10 minutes from the office. Finally, the facilities are good – plenty of cross trainers and a good pool.
It remains to be seen what the vibe in the place is, but I’m only on a monthly contract, so if I hate it I’ll stop going.

I was giving serious thoughts to joining the Arlington Baths – very close to the flat, and with a definite neighbourhood and Victorian vibe. Unfortunately, they aren’t handy to park near, and my strategy is to go before and after work.  I don’t have time to walk round before work, and traffic around there will be horrendous after work. In an ideal world, I’d be a member of JJB Monday to Friday, and a weekend Arlingtonian.

 As I said, I took advantage of JJB’s fiscal woes to stock up on sports stuff. The 20% voucher was hedged about with restrictions – I couldn’t use it in the golf section, or on anything over £75 pounds, so no chance of picking up a new driver then. On the other hand, it could be used with things in the sale, so I picked up a pair of Hi-Tech golf shoes (under a tenner after discount), a pair of New Balance cross trainers to replace my old pair of New Balance cross trainers (brand loyalty – I haz it) and a track suit for under £60. I have a sneaking suspicion that the tracksuit is the last word in Ned-chic, but it’s necessary if I’m going to roll out of bed at 6.00 and walk the dog, and then drive straight to the gym.

Tomorrow will be my first attempt at doing that. Counting back from an 8.30 start at work I need to be in the gym by 7.00 at the latest to get a proper work out done. This was no problem 18 months ago, when I was living at my dad’s, but it might be more difficult when I have to prise myself away from dog, cat, and girlfriend.

Especially if they gang up on me…

Comments

[anthrokeight.livejournal.com]

I have been to the Arlington Baths, and I thought it was GREAT. It was everything a private swimming club opened in 18-whatever should be.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I know - and it fits into my idea of being a West Endie, too - maybe someday...

[anthrokeight.livejournal.com]

Yep- the consummate retiree thing to do. When you don't have to worry about getting from hither to yon on time.

I know it's a totally different thing from a steamie, but it does have a sort of steamie-era-appropriate aura to it.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

My friend Kay is a member at the Western baths, and works odd hours. Her favourite indulgence is to go down during the day and have a massage.
Sod waiting for retirement...

[unblinkered.livejournal.com]

Especially if they gang up on me…

Would we....? *innocent*

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Uh huh...