If you’re like many of our readers, you started 2010 with a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and improve your fitness. It’s February already – have you come closer to that goal? Fitness professionals estimate that most people abandon a fitness-related resolution in anywhere from two weeks to one month; so many of us may have already given up. It’s true that it’s not easy to juggle the responsibilities of childcare, work, family, friends, and home. What is easy is to give in to excuses for not achieving fitness goals. “I’m too busy,” “I can’t get anyone to watch my children,” and “It’s too expensive to join a gym” are among the most common excuses we hear from our readers. Here at The Parent Planner, we’ve put Gold’s Gym to the test on each of those excuses. Read on to see what excuse-busting solutions Gold’s Gym offers to help you meet your fitness goals in 2010.

EXCUSE #1: I HAVE NO TIME TO WORK OUT.
Convenient gym hours and varied times for Gold’s Gym group fitness classes suit everyone from early birds who want to work out before work, to night owls who only have time for themselves after the kids have gone to bed.
Multiple locations in Connecticut (Bloomfield, Bristol, East Hartford, Enfield Rte. 5, Enfield Scitico Plaza, and Windsor) and Massachusetts (Chicopee and West Springfield) mean there’s a Gold’s Gym nearby no matter where you live or work. Joining one Gold’s Gym gives you access to all the other Gold’s locations with the exception of Windsor, the corporate gym (Windsor members can work out at all other locations).

EXCUSE #2: I CAN’T AFFORD IT.
Gold’s Gym has a great membership deal for the New Year: $1 down. That’s right, from now until February 28, 2010 you can start your Gold’s Gym membership for just $1.
That single dollar buys a lot! Gold’s Gym offers free weights, weight machines, and cardio machines to give members a variety of workout options that lead to success. They also offer Lady's Gold's, which is a fully equipped private workout area for women. You can maximize results by hiring a personal trainer to work with you to design a fitness program that’s focused on your goals. Working with a personal trainer can provide great motivation and prevent you from slacking off.

EXCUSE #3: GOING TO THE GYM IS BORING.
To boost results and prevent boredom, it’s best to change your workout every few weeks. The group fitness classes at Gold’s Gym are a great way to do just that. Over 3,300 people participate in Gold’s Gym classes each week. The variety of classes provides the ultimate cross-training effect. Choices range from cardio workouts like Zumba, Cardio Kick, and Step, to weightlifting classes like BodyPump, and the unique Fusion Flow, a class that blends ballet, standing Pilates, yoga, and control calisthenics moves -- and is available only at Gold’s Gym.
You don’t even have to be a member to experience the fun and camaraderie of group exercise classes at Gold’s Gym. Non-members are welcome to drop in any time and pay just $5 per class. There’s also the option to purchase a Class Card of 10 classes for $50.

EXCUSE #4: I’M OUT OF SHAPE AND EMBARRASSED.
This is a common complaint from people who are new to working out, and Gold's Gym offers a relaxed, family atmosphere where members encourage each other. You will find people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities -- from the seasoned marathon runner to someone who has joined a gym for the first time. And every member has one thing in common: they all had to start!
One of the nicest features of Gold’s Gym locations is Lady Gold’s, a private workout area for women. Lady Gold’s offers weight training machines and a variety of cardiovascular machines with TV to keep you motivated. People of all fitness levels go to Gold’s Gym, so you’ll feel right at home very quickly. You’ll see many of the same friendly faces each time you come, and even develop friendships with other members. Your new workout friends
can help keep you motivated to sticking
to your new fitness routine.

EXCUSE #5: I HAVE NO CHILDCARE.
Gold’s childcare service, known as “Kids Club,” is avail-able whenever group exercise classes are scheduled. The Kids Club is stocked with toys, books, games, videos – and a high staff-to-child ratio – to ensure your kids’
safety and fun. There
is no childcare avail-able at the Windsor location.

Gold’s Gym has the equipment, the trained staff, and a wealth of classes and services that can set you on the path to better health and greater fitness. Ultimately, you’re the one who has to take the first step -- and choose to keep moving toward your goals. Join Gold’s Gym for $1 this month, stick with your fitness program, and 2010 just might be the year that you look in the mirror and say: I look great, I feel great, and it’s thanks to my own hard work.
Gold’s Gym Connecticut locations are: Bloomfield: 107 Old Windsor Road, 860-286-9801; Bristol: 400 Middle Street, 860-585-640; East Hartford: 1064 Main Street, 860-291-8484; Enfield Rte. 5: 640 Enfield Street, 860-253-9521; Enfield Scitico Plaza: 585 Hazard Avenue, 860-763-1909; Windsor: 1001 Day Hill Road, 860-688-4200.

Gold’s Gym Massachusetts locations are: Chicopee: 1501 Memorial Drive, 413-533-6167; West Springfield: 1452 Memorial Avenue, 413-746-2677.