What do I like the best? The girls in leotards and 40 lbs of makeup—at least it seems like it’s that much and it’s so obvious why they are there: the guys of course and frankly it’s a hoot to watch them. What I like least: see the above —they hog the machines. but what the hey—it’s still fun to watch, :-)

The water. I feel like a 10-year-old in the pool.

Much too crowded for me. Took yoga at the local YMCA, but during Shavasana (the finishing, relaxing sequence) the door kept being opened by little kids waiting for their class to begin. They would look through the glass pane in the door (of course, we were all on our mats on the floor so we could not be seen) and not seeing anybody they would open it. Then it would bang shut. Multiply this by 15 or 20 times and the result was not very relaxing. I’ve thought about joining a gym, but realize I like the solitude of walking or exercising alone with my thoughts. That, and I don’t have to brush my teeth before I go. The thing I would like is the expertise of the trainers, etc., and all the varied equipment.

No gyms for me or Ms. Her. We love the outdoors. Fresh air, birds chirping, flower blooming, free movement. She does pilates on the floor in black tights and a pony tail, which I bat and chase her feet, jump on her tummy and smack her knees. Afterwards, Ms. Her gives me a tablespoon of salmon, then I curl in the window seat and sleep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Uxbv4WOpo That’s my routine, Fluffy

When I was younger I was a regular at the gym. I liked the trainers, the support that we all gave each other and the fact that I looked good in my Danskins. What I never liked was the way the gyms always smelled - I don’t care how nice the gym is, they always smell like somebody else’s feet. These days I get my exercise by walking in the swimming pool - it’s good for you and it smells clean.

I prefer the martial arts dojo/kwoon to the typical workout gym. It’s so much easier to keep at an exercise when your mind is engaged. For example, playing basketball is fun and you get a super workout. Same with karate. The repetitive-type exercise machines at most gyms seem to bore my subconscious, and I can’t keep at it. I do have an elliptical at home that I use, but the Airdyne bores me. I love swimming, and if it ever warms up in Michigan, I’ll put my backyard pool up. The furnace was running last night, though. I have enjoyed the dry sauna and the indoor pool at a local club.

Health clubs are for “other people” . . . you know, the friends that like to brag that they’re “off to the gym” in that so-smug fashion that makes me want to hang the phone up on them. To be honest, been-there-done-that in my “younger years” when there was no need — but it was “the in” thing to do. They get old, don’t they? The driving there, finding the parking space is full which means that there are too many gals already in various states of undress in the locker room (which is most often not a pretty sight! Be honest, you think the same thing!!) The alternative? The early morning walkers close to home. Don’t tell me, I already see my upper arms are a bit flabby as those weights proved “for the birds”. BUT, I have found a group of (start to get envious) just about all men who walk at a really good clip, talk about things that women seldom do, and make me laugh. I find that the laughing constantly is the best part (OK, almost the best part!) — for it is the greatest start of the day and relieves any and all tension and stress that may have been building up. I come home an hour later, smug and on top of the world - and ready for the day as I never have before. It is my secret passion — well, it WAS “secret” until I shared it with you!!!! Highly recommended.

I like the zen of trekking away on the treadmill while listening to music I have carefully selected for tempo, doing occasional interval sprints to make me sufficiently sore. When weather is too bad to walk outside, the treadmill is especially nice. If I don’t overdo it, a half hour on the treadmill puts me in a merry mood all day and makes me sleep like a rock. What I like least is a personal trainer, an ex-Navy seal, who put me on such a grueling set of exercises that I began to suspect I was being recruited to join the Special Forces. Even though I am too old to be eligible. I mean I know you should push yourself, but sometimes one does not bend in certain ways without feeling ipain. I avoid this guy, but whenever I see him working out with a new client, I wonder if it was just me or whether he torments all of his clients.