Boutique gyms,there are a lot springing up around the suburbs.
My partner recently joined a new 24-hour gym just up the road and after raving about how fantastic it is, he convinced me to come with him and have a look around.
I have to admit, it is really nice. Brand new cardio and weight machines, including a fair few cross trainers and treadmills; beautiful and clean bathrooms with hairdryers, and a high tech security system are just some of the features that Anytime Fitness boasts.
We had a chat to one of the personal trainers about the benefits and limitations of joining a 24-hour gym and he managed to convince me that it was a really useful and practical way to get in your exercise if you are strapped for time.
One particular example he gave us was about a new mother who woke up every morning at 3am because her baby was crying. Instead of lying around in bed or getting frustrated, she would come to the gym with her daughter and do a workout instead.
The other benefit I thought worth mentioning was the security system. People training can wear a sort of necklace with a button that once pushed sends out an emergency call to the police and a private security firm. read more