There's no place like Holmes

By: Jason & Rebecca

We splurged just a bit on joining a gym.  But then we justified it by knowing we would be healthier, have more energy, and be better people.  The truth is neither of us are very accustomed to visiting a mall regularly, let alone to go to some hoity-toity place like this up-scale gym called, ‘Holmes Place’.  Actually, it’s not that upscale, just in comparison to the other more or less dingy and dodgy places we've heard about in Haifa.  Nonetheless, because Rebecca had a free-month membership (complements of one of our Israeli friends who left the country for law school), she got to check it out first-hand. 

The first day, Rebecca came home and saying things like ‘I am in heaven at the gym’ and ‘you won’t believe what they have there’.  This went on for days.  Naturally, I needed to check it out for myself and that was that.  One of the membership staff convinced us to sign up for a modest plan and we've never looked back.  So, why do we brave going to the Grand Canyon Mall (for real, this is the name!) and fighting crowds to venture on the elevator to the -4 floor (yes, it is called, minus 4!)?  The gym has a great layout and is big even by American standards. There are terrific people and great amenities.  Not only is there the usual complement of workout equipment, but also a small but fantastic indoor pool (so I can finally get back into swimming), classes (yoga, pilates, zumba etc.), steam rooms and saunas, and the most fantastic showers! The showers are especially nice now that it's winter and the solar heater at home must be augmented by the electric one. 

Is it worth it? YES!  And with all the daily hustle and bustle, it’s a great way to clear our heads and treat ourselves to something. 

So when we are feeling sluggish, unmotivated, and out-of-shape (because the living on a mountain just ain’t enough exercise!), we click our Teva sandals and say, “There’s no place like Holmes!”