ThinnerTimes

Gyms

Our gastric bypass support group is compiling a list of gyms that are friendly and appropriate for individuals who are obese. These gyms have been recommended by members of our support group who have had good personal experiences.

YMCA

The "Y" has developed many programs that are friendly to obesity patients and that are family friendly as well here are some that that have been recently suggested:

YMCA Mission Valley "$35 per month: free weights, water aerobics for bariatric patients, on site child care, monthly support group for bariatric surgery patients."

YMCA Santee "Family oriented, very accepting of every type of person, new facility, new up to date classes."

YMCA Rancho del Rey "Family oriented, 3 pools, personal trainer."

Woman's Fitness World

Women's Fitness World has a pool at each location. The gym features a variety of water aerobic programs. Several patients have mentioned how they have enjoyed the work outs and how welcome they have felt.

4Women Only

Fitness, Aerobic & Aquatic Center
1222 Poway Road #7
Poway CA 92064
858-486-4900

24 Hour Fitness

24 Hour Fitness is a large regional chain of fitness centers. The larger gyms have pools and offer a number of water aerobics programs. Their personal trainers will arrange an individualized work out program depending each person's interest and physical condition. We have heard good reports from patients who have worked with a trainer doing a combination of water and machine oriented exercises.

Rancho Penasquitos 24 Hour Fitness offers programs for Bariatric Patients. This regional fitness center has a pool and offers water aerobics and personal fitness consultation for bariatric patients. Contact general manager Brandon Long directly at 619-990-3179. The center is located at 10025 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego.

Gentle Yoga

The following contribution was offered by Laura Makey, a gastric bypass patient and Professor at California State University, San Marcos. Laura has had a long standing interest in yoga, and has become an instructor. She is teaching classes as described here.

Laura began practicing and teaching yoga while weighing over 300 pounds and has completed a 200 hour teacher training program in Gentle Yoga. She credits this style of yoga with easing her recovery and healing from the RNY gastric bypass surgery she had in November 1999.

Gentle Yoga is especially designed for those who would have never believed that yoga could be do-able for them: the older or larger student, those recovering from an illness or injury, or who have not exercised in years, individuals with fibromyalgia, arthritis, the plus or super-sized, or the very stressed. The goal is a gentle but highly effective stretch, strengthening and toning of the body, from the inside out. The focus of Gentle Yoga is to open, relax, and breathe. Gentle Yoga can help you get in tune with what you need and desire on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.

Laura currently teaches Gentle Yoga in her home in Escondido, as well as at private homes in the Poway area and at the "A Gentle Way Yoga and Joyful Movement Studio" in La Mesa. She is also available for private consultation and can assist you in finding an appropriate class in your area. For more information visit http://www.AGentleWay.com or contact her directly at (760)735-6385.