Getting Sweaty in the Capital

*This post was by T2, a co-author of In The Taratory from 2011-2013.*

So it turns out that I’m a bit of a gym hussy. In my four short years living here, I’ve tried no less than seven different gyms: Club Lime and Club Pink, Fernwood Belconnen and Civic, Anytime Fitness Gungahlin, the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) gym, and my work’s little gym. Oh, and I also just bought a coupon for a month’s membership at the Australian Institute of Sport gym. I swear I’m not commitment-phobe… I just enjoy exploring the different options (especially if it means I can snaffle a cheaper membership price).

Since I’ve sweated and wheezed at so many of Canberra’s gyms, I thought I’d share my views on the pros and cons of each. Winter is now in full swing – meaning many part-time gym bunnies go into hibernation – but there’s a lot of deals around aimed at luring new members away from the couch and into a Pump class. Perhaps you could use my handy-dandy guide to help decide which gym you, too, would like to sweat and wheeze away at!

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Lunching Ladies at Prince Palace Chinese Restaurant

As an owner of a Canberra Entertainment Book, I’m always keen to try new restaurants on the promise of discounted food. Yep, call me a cheap-skate if you wanna! (*On a side note, sales for the 2012-13 edition of the Canberra Entertainment Books will be starting soon. I reckon keeping an eye out for them – they’re jam-packed with various discounts and you’re bound to find something that suits you. It only took me two vouchers in savings to recoup the initial $55 outlay on the book. Plus, the profits usually go towards a local sporting group or school, which I’m more than happy to help out. Ok, plug over!).

 

So when my friend and decided to head out for a last minute lunch on the weekend, we had a quick flick through my book and settled on the Prince Palace Chinese Restaurant in Belconnen. Colleagues at my old workplace had been there many, many times for the popular Yum Cha lunch, and had always returned with full tummies and content looks on their faces. A promising sign of decent tucker!

 

A Feast for the Senses

Every year that I’ve lived in Canberra, I’ve always made big plans to attend Floriade Nightfest…. and, every year, something has always come up that has prevented me from going. Yeah, I know – Floriade is the ultimate touristy event to attend, and this blog is meant to be all about exploring Canberra’s lesser-known gems. But this year I was determined to join the masses and smell the roses. Spring seemed like it had well and truly set in for the year, so my friends and I decided to get organised early and buy our tickets in advance. Hmm, perhaps not the smartest move in hindsight…

On the morning of NightFest, we awoke to grey skies and drizzling rain. Gone was the sunshine and warmth of spring that we’d enjoyed over the weekend – suddenly, it felt like the middle of winter again. By mid morning, two of my friends pulled the pin and forfeited their tickets (Floriade doesn’t allow date transfers, unfortunately). Luckily, I still had two others who were willing to brave the inclement weather and accompany me to the event (they probably had the same mentality as me – what a waste of $25 not to go!). So we pulled out our brollies, coats and gloves and braced ourselves for the chilly night ahead.