Gym vs no gym?

[Bluedogz]

So it seems like a membership at a planet fitness or similar is a really popular option for getting access to showers on the road. What's the headcount of people who prefer that over just having some sort of shower rigged up in their van?

Also, planet fitness is very cagey about listing what their price is for that national plan… Anybody got any guidance?

 

[INTJohn]

Theres pros & cons on PF………

The big con is many of the clubs dont take credit card but want autopay from your checking account. I’m not giving anyone my checking account routing number.

If you go this route open a separate new checking account dedicated for PF only and only keep enuff $$ in it for a years worth of use. Then if PF gets hacked they can only get so much and it’s easier for you to quit if you want. When account gets low just add what you need for another year.

I gave serious thought to PF years back but hey I use my solar shower or the beach showers and never joined.
There’s YmCA too or whatever it’s called.
Then there’s Silver Sneakers too if you qualify and others.
PF ain’t the only shower in town.

research……
jonny

 

[maki2]

I visited a few of those “health clubs” and decided I was just as likely to get sick during the virus season as I was to get clean. Of course now virus season is pretty much all year for Covid 19 and a solid 6 months for the other types. So those places are definitely not for me, a higher risk senior. I do use some showers where I know they clean up between every customer. Cost extra of course but in between that luxury I can stay clean enough in my own camp.

The Quartzsite Main Street Laundry and Showers Business sanitizes the room after every shower before the next person uses the room. Not a gym but I can run my clothes in the washing machine or dryer while I take a shower and there is no gym membership location in that town.

 

[bvanevery]

Bathing regularly is highly overrated. When on the road I bathe very little, going many days or even weeks.

I have this debate with people in car life forums every so often, even had someone respond to a 6 year old Reddit thread the other day. With the usual sass, showing their total ignorance of how human sweat glands actually work. I try to tell people, but much like global warming, you have to actually be interested in the science and go look up the stuff yourself.

We basically have 2 different kinds of sweat. Only 1 is the smelly kind. Has something to do with stress release. If you can avoid producing the stinky kind of sweat, you can go a very long time without any need to bathe. Like maybe douse your private parts in a sink in a one room bathroom somewhere, but that's about it.

Also, avoid manual labor. I mean if you're hauling dirt, doing construction work, or my bane sometimes is sawdust from woodworking, yes of course you're gonna get stinky from that stuff. If you're not doing that though, you're not.

Don't track a bunch of dirt into your car. Shoes "outside". I restrict my shoes to my driver's footwell, so that I'm lessening the amount of dirt and sand I'm taking in.

My worst hazard wasn't my own lack of bathing. It was really my dog, when he was alive. I miss him.

Over the years, I discovered that cardboard food packaging and grocery store paper bags, are extremely useful for cleaning dishes. They absorb grease and are a great "first go" at the dishes, to remove gunk and conserve scarce water supplies. Better not to keep paying for dish soap too, or avoid it entirely, depending on what kind of stuff you cook.

Well those paper products work on your body too! If I am going to bathe, that's my preferred method now. They're basically disposable washcloths. One room bathroom drill again somewhere. Doesn't take that long because again, you're not anywhere near as filthy as society tries to have you believe.

Just realize you've been brainwashed all your life by the petrochemical companies trying to sell you more stuff to put on your skin and hair. That's what it's been about. Money. Big budget marketing campaigns to make you feel like a lousy human being if you're not doing what the supermodels on TV are doing.

BTW the only soap and shampoo I like is Dawn. Yep, Dawn. Even if I'm in civilization and have a full shower available, I use Dawn. 'Cuz it's good enough to take even automotive grease off my hands and body, without making my skin feel like crap for doing it. Works for ducks in oil slicks (original formula at least), works for me (the actual stuff sold at retail nowadays).

Also note: changing clothes has some of the value of bathing. It removes oils and dirt from your skin. I wear clothes until they start feeling "icky". Lately I put the dirty clothes in plastic grocery bags, tied shut, until I'm ready to wash them. I often hand wash my clothes in a sink somewhere, something I had to learn how to do when surviving with my dog in his old age. 1 or 2 items for most things is not a big deal, and I hang them up to dry on paracords inside my car.

Hand washing jeans though is a PITA, because they hold so much water and take so long to dry. I try to avoid doing that by hand. All the thinner stuff though, it works fine.

 

[vanbrat]

Bathing regularly is highly overrated. When on the road I bathe very little, going many days or even weeks.

I have this debate with people in car life forums every so often, even had someone respond to a 6 year old Reddit thread the other day. With the usual sass, showing their total ignorance of how human sweat glands actually work. I try to tell people, but much like global warming, you have to actually be interested in the science and go look up the stuff yourself.

We basically have 2 different kinds of sweat. Only 1 is the smelly kind. Has something to do with stress release. If you can avoid producing the stinky kind of sweat, you can go a very long time without any need to bathe. Like maybe douse your private parts in a sink in a one room bathroom somewhere, but that's about it.

Also, avoid manual labor. I mean if you're hauling dirt, doing construction work, or my bane sometimes is sawdust from woodworking, yes of course you're gonna get stinky from that stuff. If you're not doing that though, you're not.

Don't track a bunch of dirt into your car. Shoes "outside". I restrict my shoes to my driver's footwell, so that I'm lessening the amount of dirt and sand I'm taking in.

My worst hazard wasn't my own lack of bathing. It was really my dog, when he was alive. I miss him.

Over the years, I discovered that cardboard food packaging and grocery store paper bags, are extremely useful for cleaning dishes. They absorb grease and are a great "first go" at the dishes, to remove gunk and conserve scarce water supplies. Better not to keep paying for dish soap too, or avoid it entirely, depending on what kind of stuff you cook.

Well those paper products work on your body too! If I am going to bathe, that's my preferred method now. They're basically disposable washcloths. One room bathroom drill again somewhere. Doesn't take that long because again, you're not anywhere near as filthy as society tries to have you believe.

Just realize you've been brainwashed all your life by the petrochemical companies trying to sell you more stuff to put on your skin and hair. That's what it's been about. Money. Big budget marketing campaigns to make you feel like a lousy human being if you're not doing what the supermodels on TV are doing.

BTW the only soap and shampoo I like is Dawn. Yep, Dawn. Even if I'm in civilization and have a full shower available, I use Dawn. 'Cuz it's good enough to take even automotive grease off my hands and body, without making my skin feel like crap for doing it. Works for ducks in oil slicks (original formula at least), works for me (the actual stuff sold at retail nowadays).

Also note: changing clothes has some of the value of bathing. It removes oils and dirt from your skin. I wear clothes until they start feeling "icky". Lately I put the dirty clothes in plastic grocery bags, tied shut, until I'm ready to wash them. I often hand wash my clothes in a sink somewhere, something I had to learn how to do when surviving with my dog in his old age. 1 or 2 items for most things is not a big deal, and I hang them up to dry on paracords inside my car.

Hand washing jeans though is a PITA, because they hold so much water and take so long to dry. I try to avoid doing that by hand. All the thinner stuff though, it works fine.

My F-I-L would show up at our home at the end of summer and he didn't bathe at all when he was picking fruit but it was hubby's job to point him to the showers as soon as he showed up. He did stink.

I can go for a few days with just a good sponge bath wipe down. But more than that and I keep thinking about him and I need a shower. We usually find a campground or whatever. I carry a spray bottle with bleach water and spray things down.

I think if I was full time I might get a PF membership also because I like to go to the gym 2-3 times a week even here at home. It is my quiet space and since hubby doesn't like to go and the more he is off from his illness the better we both are if I get my work-outs in.

 

[maki2]

So it seems like a membership at a planet fitness or similar is a really popular option for getting access to showers on the road. What's the headcount of people who prefer that over just having some sort of shower rigged up in their van?

Also, planet fitness is very cagey about listing what their price is for that national plan… Anybody got any guidance?

I am a senior so my health plan does come with some health club benefits. I do not use them on the big places but I did notice that the YMCA in Flagstaff has a free to me access. That is a very nice, small, newer facility and it has some showers and a workout area with good equipment plus exercise classes.

So basically Planet Fitness is not the only option for seniors with health club options. Some towns that have public swimming pools also participate in those senior health benefit plans.

 

[maki2]

But truthfully do you really want to plan your travels and lifestyle around locations where a particular chain of health clubs have facilities? I suppose such a thing could be important to a person.

That does not drive my decisions on where I camp but I do have a list of other things that are essentials I have to meet when choosing where to pull in and camp for any length of time.

 

[vanbrat]

But truthfully do you really want to plan your travels and lifestyle around locations where a particular chain of health clubs have facilities? I suppose such a thing could be important to a person.

That does not drive my decisions on where I camp but I do have a list of other things that are essentials I have to meet when choosing where to pull in and camp for any length of time.

So I want to now start another line of questions What are your essentials?

 

[rruff]

Bathing regularly is highly overrated....

Also, avoid manual labor. I mean if you're hauling dirt, doing construction work, or my bane sometimes is sawdust from woodworking, yes of course you're gonna get stinky from that stuff. If you're not doing that though, you're not.

I have a mountain bike and ride that for some hours every couple days, so I get sweaty and dirty. A small pan of water and vinegar (less than a quart), and a long exfoliating wash cloth is still all I need... and I use that on my hair also. Since I like to camp far away from people, I do this outside if the weather is good, but indoors works fine if it's cold. Every week or two when I go to town I'll actually wash my hair with shampoo (that's more like a gallon), and finish off with a Nurture Bathing Wipe.

I've grown to regard baths and showers as superfluous. Water is a very heavy thing to haul around, and I feel no desire to go out of my way to shower.

 

[LargeMarge]

a)
We are in the 'no gym' camp.
After our favorite gym and indoor pool shut in June 2023 -- with four (4!) days notice to staff and us -- we gave up on monthly memberships.
.
.
b)
We operate a small organic teaching farm near the outskirts of Eugene Oregon.
The acreage is surrounded by goofballs in warehouse-pallet hovels covered in blue plastic tarps.
.
Those individuals often go months/decades without bathing or changing clothes.
I suspect intoxication might be involved.
.
Irregardless, I can locate a new squat ('tramp-camp') upward of a half-mile upwind.
The first clue is my eyes watering, the hairs scorched right out of my nostrils.
I suspect, without a shred of evidence, the human species exists because our ancestors stunk too bad for animals to eat us.
.
.
c)
As part of my Social Contract, I presume most civilized folks are sensitive to 'environmental impacts', such as refineries, pulp mills, tanneries, feed-lots, commercial compost suppliers...
... and my foul and odious pits.
Accordingly, I try really hard to not offend the very people I might meet in an emergency.
.
Every afternoon, the three of us gather on the porch of the rig to use our beloved Shower Gizmo, the Craftsman 20v battery-operated garden-sprayer loaded with water heated on our ancient Coleman two-burner propane camp-stove.
Irregardless of activities around the place, irregardless of just lazing in the sack all day, we get our daily showers.
.
Besides, I never know if that shower was my last shower for forever.
I intend going to My Just Reward without reeking pits.
.
Of course, the possibility exists I might spend eternity in the Great Lodge Of Valhalla.
In that case, doused scalp-to-tootsies with low-velocity tankards-full of mead and beer and wine, wearing the occasional boar-head for a skit (or just because), I could probably go a day or two between showers.
I anticipate my compadres would hint if I get ripe.
.
And I plan on returning the favor.
Vigorously if necessary.
Groups of us, carrying our protesting kicking and screaming friend(s) to a nearby river, and giving them a good toss.
.
[edited to add]
Where did you say you camp...

 

[maki2]

My essentials? The same as pretty much every living creature……water, food, shelter. It is a short list

 

[WandringKnight]

Bathing regularly is highly overrated. When on the road I bathe very little, going many days or even weeks.

I have this debate with people in car life forums every so often, even had someone respond to a 6 year old Reddit thread the other day. With the usual sass, showing their total ignorance of how human sweat glands actually work. I try to tell people, but much like global warming, you have to actually be interested in the science and go look up the stuff yourself.

We basically have 2 different kinds of sweat. Only 1 is the smelly kind. Has something to do with stress release. If you can avoid producing the stinky kind of sweat, you can go a very long time without any need to bathe. Like maybe douse your private parts in a sink in a one room bathroom somewhere, but that's about it.

Also, avoid manual labor. I mean if you're hauling dirt, doing construction work, or my bane sometimes is sawdust from woodworking, yes of course you're gonna get stinky from that stuff. If you're not doing that though, you're not.

Don't track a bunch of dirt into your car. Shoes "outside". I restrict my shoes to my driver's footwell, so that I'm lessening the amount of dirt and sand I'm taking in.

My worst hazard wasn't my own lack of bathing. It was really my dog, when he was alive. I miss him.

Over the years, I discovered that cardboard food packaging and grocery store paper bags, are extremely useful for cleaning dishes. They absorb grease and are a great "first go" at the dishes, to remove gunk and conserve scarce water supplies. Better not to keep paying for dish soap too, or avoid it entirely, depending on what kind of stuff you cook.

Well those paper products work on your body too! If I am going to bathe, that's my preferred method now. They're basically disposable washcloths. One room bathroom drill again somewhere. Doesn't take that long because again, you're not anywhere near as filthy as society tries to have you believe.

Just realize you've been brainwashed all your life by the petrochemical companies trying to sell you more stuff to put on your skin and hair. That's what it's been about. Money. Big budget marketing campaigns to make you feel like a lousy human being if you're not doing what the supermodels on TV are doing.

BTW the only soap and shampoo I like is Dawn. Yep, Dawn. Even if I'm in civilization and have a full shower available, I use Dawn. 'Cuz it's good enough to take even automotive grease off my hands and body, without making my skin feel like crap for doing it. Works for ducks in oil slicks (original formula at least), works for me (the actual stuff sold at retail nowadays).

Also note: changing clothes has some of the value of bathing. It removes oils and dirt from your skin. I wear clothes until they start feeling "icky". Lately I put the dirty clothes in plastic grocery bags, tied shut, until I'm ready to wash them. I often hand wash my clothes in a sink somewhere, something I had to learn how to do when surviving with my dog in his old age. 1 or 2 items for most things is not a big deal, and I hang them up to dry on paracords inside my car.

Hand washing jeans though is a PITA, because they hold so much water and take so long to dry. I try to avoid doing that by hand. All the thinner stuff though, it works fine.

I've pared it down to a shower every other month. When I do shower, I splurge at a truck stop. They provide soap, towels, sink, toilet and sometimes a tub. All with no time limit.

 

[afblangley]

What's the headcount of people who prefer that over just having some sort of shower rigged up in their van?

For me it's not either or, it's both. I use PF to workout, charge my power station, refill my Aquatainer, hangout when it's hot outside, and sometimes as an alternative to the toilet and shower in my van.

I'm a 350-360 showers per year person... So every morning I start the day with a shower. If I've stayed overnight in a PF parking lot, I'll probably shower there. If I've stayed at a rest area, I'll shower in the van.

Also, planet fitness is very cagey about listing what their price is for that national plan… Anybody got any guidance?

I paid ~$300 for PF Black last year, although I think they've recently raised their price. It's still a bargain given their nationwide access and ability to bring a guest (which is really cheap if you're a couple). My van shower setup was also about $300. Again, totally worth it to me.

 

[maki2]

Generalized survey questions in this forum will net you answers that are circumstantial rather than having a common denominator based on what you yourself plan on doing for a living setup.

Narrow your question down to match your own planned circumstances and physical abilities to shower.

 

[twomountainlions]

Dont think I ever camped near a town with Planet Fitness, avoid driving through those big towns either. Small towns often have little gyms where one can shower on a town day when errands are run. But its no different from buying a shower at a truck stop, fairgrounds, rv park or a swimming pool, except in a gym you also get to work out, for the same price or even cheaper, even though you pay higher day pass price in tbe gym compared to subscription. I take a real shower every 2-3 weeks, its not any kind of significant expense.

 

[bullfrog !]

Dont think I ever camped near a town with Planet Fitness, avoid driving through those big towns either. Small towns often have little gyms where one can shower on a town day when errands are run. But its no different from buying a shower at a truck stop, fairgrounds, rv park or a swimming pool, except in a gym you also get to work out, for the same price or even cheaper, even though you pay higher day pass price in tbe gym compared to subscription. I take a real shower every 2-3 weeks, its not any kind of significant expense.

Don’t forget free trial memberships at gyms!

 

[twomountainlions]

Don’t forget free trial memberships at gyms!

I only stay in areas for 14-28 days, those small town non corporate gyms are run by nice folks usually, its often the owner who takes payments, I'm upfront about being non local and not planning to buy a membership. Anyway I might come back next year, how would I look them in the eye.