It's been a long time since last I blogged. Ok, so what's been going on? Well, over the summer I was hitting it pretty hard on my work out. Lets see, June, I was on schedule then in July, I was in major back pain.
I had a budging disk and my left hip was higher than my right and my hips were forward and basically I was twisted to the core. I went to the Chiropractor after about 3 days of mega pain and unable to get up from the bed. If I move around I was ok, if I laid on my back and tried to get up I would be in so much pain I couldn't get out of bed without assistance. I did "R.I.C.E" and saw the Chiro, about 6 sessions in two weeks and found relief after the first session. I went right back to Koko after my back stuff I think it was about Sept. I started to feel better and then I did a normal work out (last workout up to this point was June) and I felt good but my knee swelled. I was still going to the chiro and he started to work on me again. Then came the matter of straightening my body out and doing an intensive session 3x a week to the chiro for about 2 months and then I started trigger point massage to get over some other pain that has since developed. So that is my body right now. My last Koko check in was on Sept. 18th and while I feel ok, I'm still hurting from time to time I've gained back some of the weight :( So Nov. 19th I plan to go and since this day will be my "test" I'll be able to lower everything and then work myself back up. If I re-injure myself I haven't decided what I will do. I tried to freeze my account and they only froze it for one month and I have been shelling out money and not using the membership while I've been recovering.
So if you are deciding yes or no to Koko.....
Ask yourself:
Is this what I want to commit to for atleast a year?
This only has a treadmill or elliptical and a full body machine with a pacer and advice is this enough?
Do I need a variety? Will this be enough to keep me going?
While 30 min seems like a quick session will it become a stale workout?
Do I need more challenges?
If I get injured what will I do as a recovery to the workout?
So what do I think of this Koko thing?
My experience with Koko have been an interesting one. It's a great jumpstart for getting you into a workout and I found it to be a pretty cool concept. I don't think it's completely right for me.
While I don't like having a trainer in my ear all the time and I love that it tracks me and gives me pretty good data it doesn't give you much more than that. I have started to look at yoga, resistance bands and Pilates and even thought about taking up hula hooping.
The cost I paid, which was initial set up and then $96.34 for my monthly, I think they went up since I started, I feel that I cannot pay for extra classes for other interests till I get done with a year commitment.
Bottom line:
Pro:
May be able to transfer your account to someone if it's not right for you, must ask your Koko.
Gives you data so you can see where you are at.
You have 24 hour access so it can be quiet.
In and Out with a total body workout in 30 min or less.
Earn bragging rights and lanyards and a t shirt
It's not that much of a drive to get to.
You get advice and suggestions from machine and staff
They have many programs for you to choose from.
It's clean and very basic.
Cons:
Membership fee commitment minimum 1 yr.
If you are not aware of your body position you may be doing it wrong and the machine won't tell you.
While it has 24 hour access you may have to wait for a machine to free up.
You may think you earned your shirt but if you skip an exercise even if you are perfect you may not get the shirt.
Do I have to drive?
Suggestions from staff may not always be correct or what you need.
Once you are in a program you must finish it before changing it completely or you loose what you've worked hard on. IE: If you do Diabetes program and say there are 12 sessions before the next diabetes program and you've done 6 sessions and you decide you want to change it for a challenge and decide you want to go back to diabetes you have to restart from the group of sessions you were in the middle of.
No showers, bathroom is one person at a time atleast at my Koko.
Don't be surprised if you talk to staff, they ask you a question, and they seem to be preoccupied to listen.
(hence I like to go in when no one is around)
So that is what I have experienced so far. Sorry no other updates or pics. I hope these things will help you a little more in your decision on to Koko or not to Koko that is the question.
