Running machines in Cloud 9
Space-hopper-thingies
Cloud 9
There are things that one resolves to do at the turn of the year in order to improve oneself, such as giving up smoking, cutting down on drinking, or exercising more. The latter is something that I resolved to do as I headed for the Cloud-Nine gym this afternoon, after my workshop (it wasn't the first time I'd been there - this is where the table tennis games take place).
In the Cloud Nine gym there are 2 running machine, 3 step machines, 5 cyclng machines, a large area in the middle for mat-stuff (bums and tums), two multi-functional lifting machines and an assortment of weights, large rubber ball-type 'hopper-things' (that's what I thought they were until someone put me right) and various benches etc.
I went up to the gym after my afternoon workshop. It was a difficult one today - Water and reflections; and anyone who has done any of my courses will know that this is a subject that I am constantly changing the exercise on, in the hopes of making it as accessible as possible. The subject I chose was from a sketch of the old quayside in Alanya, Turkey (tomorrow we're painting pyramids - the day after that, we're in Gibralter where I'm doing escort duty once more).
The thing about the gym is this; the running and step machines are all lined up together. They are state-of-the-art, computerised contraptions that can measure your heart-rate, miles ran, incline and calories burnt, all fully customiseable and all with a beautiful clear view of the Meditterranean ocean. You might have one person running at 6 mph, the person next to them running at 4 mph and a third person doing some power-walking, yet no matter how hard you try, you can never manage to get in front of any of the other people! there is something slightly surreal about this.
There are anit-bacterial wipes everywhere, with which you are expected to wipe down equipment before and after use (in fact there are wipes everywhere - here in the computer room, for instance, and free-standing things that you hover your hands under in order to cleanse yourself before re-entering the ship after being ashore, or in fact before entering any of the eating areas).
Slightly frustrating today - when I returned from my workshop, I found a slip of paper inviting me to a run-through of the passenger talent show tomorrow at 2pm, for the actual show at 6pm. All very well, but my watercolour workshop is at 1:45pm until 3pm!! I'm not that bothered, as I'm quite happy to just wade in without any rehearsal, but nevertheless!!
5 Comment(s).
Posted by Anonymous:
so glad your having a great time you deserve it you work so hard & what thanks do you get well i think your a super star not only are you gorgeous you are a talented artist musician & song writer,all you need to do now is be able to roller blade & i will be duly impressed lmao!!
Posted by Peter:
Posted by Juli:
Posted by Peter:
Cloud 9 sounds like a disco doesn't it? I've never seen it so full that all the machines are in use at the same time; usually there are no more than a couple of other people there, sometimes as many as 4 or 5. The place is also a little fuller when the fitness instructor is running a 'bums & tums' session, or something similar, on the mats (when the mats are out you can't use the table tennis table).
The guests, of course, are all over 50, but it tends to be the fitter ones who hang about the gym - blokes mainly, who are desperately trying to hold on to their physique, against the odds. All the machines can really test you, or can just provide a gentle, but constant stroll. Like I say, it's a little wierd when you're running at 6 mph and a little old lady is right next to you walking!
Posted by Juli:
hi hun!!
funny you should mention space hopper thingy's i bought Em one for christmas as she requested it!! Her dad & brother took ages blowing it up so funny lovl!!! i had a go on it oh its really good fun & its alot bigger than the one's i remember??? You shall have to have ago on it when you get back. It makes me laugh myself silly!!! No change there then lol!!
hope you have had a great time i think you have most definately have!!
CaZ
Hi Caz
I'll look forward to having a go on the Space Hopper-type-thingy, though I'm not sure my back's up to it - from what I've seen of people using it, it requires you to be able to be a bit of a contortionist!!
I've asked a few of the crew how they manage to combine home life with ship life, and the best answer I've heard is that they don't. It doesn't work. The two are simply not compatible - in fact, this one person rather summed it up by saying there is no grey area between the two; they go from being at home to being on board ship and vice versa, and that's that - there's no 'decompression'. The chief engineer says he's married to the ship; in 25 years of working at sea he's spent 20 of them on board and only 5 of them at home. I asked John, one of the cruise staff, in the Preview last night, when does he go home? And he sort of doesn't really - pretty much lives on board - has no need for a permanent residence where he has to pay council tax and such.
It all rather comes back, again, to this sense of being in a virtual reality, and with the end of the cruise being only days away now, there's this strange feeling of wondering what it's going to be like to go back to reality. I'm wondering if there are going to be any withdrawal symptoms!
I tried roller-blading once, and am pleased to report that I am a man who most certainly knows his limitations.
Is it a bad thing...all the anti-bac wipes..or a good thing? I think to be able to wipe the sweat of others off the machine before i used it would be fine and dandy to me..Was the place full i kinda got the impression the guests were quite elderly!
Cloud 9 hmm not sure about the name...i could think of more appropriate names for instruments of torture
J
PS I think Caz is right you are a multi-talented guy
Hi Juli
I think antic-bac wipes in the gym is most definitely a good thing - I agree with you absolutely about other people's sweat (uuurrrrrrrrrrr). With all the viruses and things that have spread through ships on cruises, that have been reported in recent years, I think the precautions are also Saga watching their own back. Literally, there are these cleansing things all over the ship, at all the entrances to food halls, at the start of queues at counters, and on the gangway when returning to the ship after having been ashore.
Beaten by a little old lady :0)
power walking ....i can imagine the scene!!
J