Our Spanish Hibernation 3:0

I’m not obsessed with my fitness, but having been a gym-goer for near on thirty years, it is not a habit to break just because we’re living in Spain for three months. And there are certainly plenty of gym opportunities between our apartment and the centre of Malaga. That said, the pump or muscle gyms tucked slightly out the way are not really for me. Nor are the free open air gyms along the promenade. These are very popular, have a good range of equipment and Astro turf looking stuff for you to pose on whilst looking out to sea. Yeah, not for me.

The past two years, I have belonged to the Rebok Gym in Malaga Centro – very reasonably priced (60 is considered old age here so I got a further discount) and really friendly staff. Not ideal for this year, as it would take about forty minutes to get there.

There are a handful of David Lloyd Clubs in Spain and, conveniently, one of them is a ten minute stroll away. After a bit of backwards & forwards on WhatsApp before Christmas, I sorted out a three month deal. Still pricey, but I could prepay and then give my cancellation notice almost straight away via email. So not locked in to anything after the end of March – ideal.

The club is luxurious. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with The Gym, Reading West, but this is in a completely different hemisphere. The gym floor itself is spacious, with plenty of machines and stretching areas. Natural sunlight floods in. There are three pools and a spa area with a massive jacuzzi. The lockers in the large changing rooms are operated by a personalised smart card and there is a lot of hot water in the showers. A lovely club room serves good coffee.

There has been a few language issues or should we say opportunities to practice Spanish! Was so glad Paul was with me when I was trying to pay for my membership. Let’s just say there was a bit of Google Translate needed that day.

Not too many problems with Luis, the Personal Trainer who gave me a new programme on my first day in the gym. We did a few bits in Spanish, but his English was great.

On my first swim day, the lifeguard who marched over at poolside was not an English speaker, so I stumbled through in my best Spanglish. I wasn’t getting in her pool without a gorro de baño! However, I could swim in the outside pool if I wished. Which I did and it was Baltic!! We had a laugh about it and a high five. I now have a swimming cap (€2 in Decathlon) and have since used the lovely warm main pool inside.

So far, not regretting the decision to splash out (!!) on the three month membership and plan to make the most of it.