Since I've been in Paris, I've actually had a little more free time than when I am back home in Chicago (since here, I have no school to take up all my time), so I figured I was (over)due at the gym. Turns out I could get a one-day pass to l'Usine from work, so off I went.
Now, l'Usine is pretty much THE gym to be at in Paris nowadays. At least inasmuch as Parisians are supposed to be seen at a gym - they tend to prefer the coffee/ cigarette/ walking 5 million stairs in the subway diet. Still, the French are discovering the joys of fitness - they should be warmly encouraged in that endeavor.
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Now, l'Usine is pretty much THE gym to be at in Paris nowadays. At least inasmuch as Parisians are supposed to be seen at a gym - they tend to prefer the coffee/ cigarette/ walking 5 million stairs in the subway diet. Still, the French are discovering the joys of fitness - they should be warmly encouraged in that endeavor.
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Upon arriving, I presented my pass to the lady at the front desk who, upon seeing it, turned to her coworker and bitched that the pass should have been printed with a note saying it cannot be used after 5PM. She then scolded me for not having brought my own lock. After some more banter with her coworkers, and realizing I was still there, staring at her, she finally said "anyway, welcome to l'Usine!" and handed a towel. French service - always stellar...
The gym itself is absolutely gorgeous. Very cool design elements everywhere, unreal locker room (with spa-like sauna and steam room), completely stunning. But as far as the gym part is concerned, I wasn't that impressed. Not enough cardio machines meant you have to wait for one to free up. And, surprisingly, the weight room didn't have enough mirrors where you can check you're doing something with the right form and building muscle as opposed to pulling one. They also do not seem to believe in ventilation - which given the French taste for wearing the same shirt multiple days, would have been a welcome addition. They do work out in Lacoste shirts though...
The kicker, however, came when I realized I was doing my abs next to Marc Jacobs, who was with his trainer. I would have felt stupid to say hi but in my head a thousand gay voices were screaming "Ooooh my Gawd it's Marc Jacooobs!!!". I found out later that John Galliano and a bunch of actors/ models also work out there. But still, at EUR650 per quarter, that's a bit expensive to breathe in designer sweat vapors...
The gym itself is absolutely gorgeous. Very cool design elements everywhere, unreal locker room (with spa-like sauna and steam room), completely stunning. But as far as the gym part is concerned, I wasn't that impressed. Not enough cardio machines meant you have to wait for one to free up. And, surprisingly, the weight room didn't have enough mirrors where you can check you're doing something with the right form and building muscle as opposed to pulling one. They also do not seem to believe in ventilation - which given the French taste for wearing the same shirt multiple days, would have been a welcome addition. They do work out in Lacoste shirts though...
The kicker, however, came when I realized I was doing my abs next to Marc Jacobs, who was with his trainer. I would have felt stupid to say hi but in my head a thousand gay voices were screaming "Ooooh my Gawd it's Marc Jacooobs!!!". I found out later that John Galliano and a bunch of actors/ models also work out there. But still, at EUR650 per quarter, that's a bit expensive to breathe in designer sweat vapors...
Labels: paris
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