Total Fitness: Why you should get your whole family in the gym #SP

Family
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I have never been to a gym like it.
On entering I saw a woman on the stepper with a pram and baby by her side. Kids were laughing away on the rowing machines. 
And there were mums and kids getting ready for the swimming pool, inside the large changing areas where there are special sections for families.
family baby changing area areas
family changing area
 Upstairs in the gym I saw a father-and-son working out together. There were families everywhere. 
It was so nice to see an inclusive gym which allows children to be involved in exercise too. 
I was of course at Total Fitness.
swimming at total fitness family gym
It seems obvious, really, combining children with exercise, if we are to bring up a healthy and active generation. And yet, when I had my first child, I was unable to do lots of exercise due to having a baby in tow. 
So I was pleased I’d gone along to my “initiation” aka induction at the Total Fitness in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
When trying a new gym I always make time for an induction as equipment varies from place to place and it’s always good to learn something new in order to shake up your workout. 
It can also feel quite daunting using equipment with other people around. 
sophie mei lan mama mei at total fitness gyms gym
 
My “Initiation” to Total Fitness 
 
My initiation was led by gym instructor Danny who began by showing me the “stairs.”
I was idly stepping and chatting away until I felt “the burn” which quickly shut me up, so I was forced to focus on breathing, as I climbed. 
stepping machine total fitness gym mama mei sophie mei lan
After a five minute warm up, he showed me some weights for my legs. 
gym instructor demonstration total fitness
As I want to tone up rather than build muscle, I was advised to do more reps with a lower weight (or if building muscle, do less reps with a higher weight). 
And after doing 1 set of reps (x12) I combined this with another set of reps before having an interval.
gym instructor personal trainer total fitness
That way my legs were sure to fatigue. 
Next up we focused on my weak arms. I did assisted pull ups, a triceps workout and I finished off on a rowing machine. 
sophie mei lan gym instructor total fitness
sophie mei lan mama mei
total fitness gym gymnasium workout girl
Then we went on to the “fun”-ctional area which looks like an adults play area. 
gym workout arms
Then it was time for a mini circuit…
total fitness gyms gym
medicine ball exercise
medicine ball workout
On finishing, I also had a look around the women-only gym, which is a great place to start for females joining the gym who maybe feeling self-conscious.
 
Swimming Pools and sauna 
 
On another visit my family (2 kids, 1 husband) and I used the kids swimming pool which was lovely and warm. 
Arianna, aged 2, really loved the little slide into the pool and she looked super cute wearing a swimming cap (as required). 
swimming total fitness mother and daughter mum and baby family gyms
 
There’s a large pool for lane swimming and a also a spa pool for adults. As well as a sauna in the changing rooms. 
 
I was really impressed by the space in the changing rooms for mums, kids and babies (as well as room to manoeuvre a pushchair).
 
Then outside in the open plan cafe area there are computer consoles and a gated indoor play area also for the kids. Plus a kids menu alongside reasonably priced food options for the whole family. 
 
Verdict
 
I love keeping fit through dancing, going to the gym and running. And when I had a baby my love of fitness didn’t change, but my ability to train did. As it often felt like exercise was for “adults only.” 
Which is silly really if we’re wanting to bring kids up healthier and assist them to enjoy exercise. 
So I’m pleased to have discovered Total Fitness which helps to bridge this gap by allowing families to train together (obviously some age restrictions on machines) and there’s plenty of classes, including kids classes, areas to play and swimming clubs. 
It means less obstacles for families to get into the gym. 
family changing area rooms
 
So even if the weather’s bad outside, there’s no excuse not to get active. 
 
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Disclaimer

This is a sponsored post therefore we received a free gym pass to experience the facilities and payment for our work.

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