To Blink, Or Not To Blink

Well, well, well, a new gym is in town, and they’re pulling out all the stops. I was lucky enough to be invited to check out the new facility prior to it’s opening this month, and I’ve got to say, I’m quite impressed. I asked if my gym partner could tag along, and away we went!

As someone who promotes physical and mental health, this gym seems like a great fit for anyone who may ride the same train.

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Motto

Blink Fitness is known for its “Mood Above Muscle” mentality. They believe that fitness isn’t just about looking good, but feeling good.

Well hey! This is super important! As fitness professionals, it’s important to help clients develop things like self-efficacy, confidence, strength, etc., but we also love to help people feel the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Moving feels good. Getting stronger feels good. Being in a positive, uplifting environment feels GOOD.

One of the issues many folks have with “similar” gyms like Planet Fitness, is that they feel restricted in their fitness journeys. They’re discouraged that their budget keeps them from a gym that allows them to thrive in their goals. They tend focus on what that gym is doing to hold them back, rather than what they actually want to accomplish. The “No Judgment Zone” tends to get real judgey, real fast.

Blink’s already a step above Planet Fitness, who wants everyone to keep their heads down, their weights light, and their water minimal. Are we even working out; I’m confused? Ok, I’ll admit, I never felt personally victimized for being “fit and happy” at PF the 8 years I went there. I left because I needed better equipment and the casual clientele that began attending my PF decided that a fit chick with confidence in the gym meant come uncomfortably harass me. Dudes were bold. And creepy. But this post isn’t about PF!

Blink’s Feel Good Vibes

Ok, so Blink operates by 5 pillars….yeah, let’s go with that.

• Mood Lifting Staff
• Spotless Facility
• Bright, Inviting Space
• Nifty Gym App
• Affordable Training

Blink also places a huge focus on being the gym for everyone, but I will get to this a little bit later.

Before we go any further, I want to offer my opinion based on my experience with the owners and staff.

This is NOT a Planet Fitness

While this space is aimed to foster positivity, they also want you to train at this gym. Not only does the equipment back up this claim, but they also invited some pretty fit folks to come test out the gym and prove it could be a space for all levels of fitness. Plus, they appear to work closely with Clean Eatz, so you probably won’t have to worry about pizza days while you’re trying to get in shape. Just saying…

The owners and staff made us feel right at home. The staff were a hoot and a half, and we had a lot of fun trying everything out and goofing off with them. As someone who has made the rec center my home for the past 2 years, it is always nice when you’re welcomed by a friendly group of people (and not just the day we were invited, I’ve been since then, with a whole new group of people who weren’t expecting me).

If you want the benefits of an affordable gym, with better hours and happier staff than your local rec center, then Blink Fitness might be the gym for you. Here’s why.

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Most High Tech Gym in VB?

Is Blink Fitness the most high technology gym in the city? Based on what I’ve seen, most likely. Maybe I’m easily entertained, but a few simple upgrades hooked me hard.

Let’s start with what happens right when you walk in the door.

If you’re a Hampton Roads local, there’s a good chance you’ve been to the Cloud 9 trampoline park in Chesapeake. Check in/sign up at Blink is basically exactly the same. You can do it all on a touch screen tv – even pay for your membership.

The App

Once you sign up, you can download the Blink Fitness app, which is actually pretty cool. You can check into the gym on the app and it logs your attendance. This is nice if you want to keep track of your habits. The app also has loads of workouts (video workouts included) from various partners, so you can do them anywhere, not just while physically at the gym. What might be the most useful aspect of the app is that it allows you to log into Blink’s cardio equipment.

Ok, so this is pretty cool. While you’re doing cardio, you can log into your Blink account. From there, you can actually log into all of your streaming services on the machine itself and watch your favorite shows. You can knock out some emails, check Instagram, you name it. When you finish your workout, the machine automatically logs you off. No matter what machine you log in on, you can pick right back up where you left off. With the exception of the rowers and bikes, all cardio equipment has this capability. Blink’s goal with this feature is to increase cardio duration, and according to them, it’s working.

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Unique Euipment

While we’re talking about cardio, I think it’s valuable to mention a few special additions.

Blink has a few Free Motion Trainers, otherwise known as treadmills that go up to level 30 incline, and let me tell you, this machine is killer. It also goes down to -3 if you feel like going back down that intense mountain you just climbed.

Fit tip: I already love doing treadmill incline walking lunges. Typically, the highest I can do these is level 15 because that’s what most treadmills go up to. If you’re looking for a super intense exercise, try out some lunges on this bad boy.

Also available at this location are Matrix Stair Masters. What is cool about this particular stair stepper is the “virtual active” feature. Virtual active has various terrain maps, of which you can select from various parts of the world.

“Yeah, so? The rec center cardio machines show different far away places.”

Yes, but you can select which one you see, and it works with your speed. So if you’re hiking through the woods and decide to go faster, you will appear to be moving faster through the woods as well. Maybe not a deal breaker to most people, but I think it elevates the experience.

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Thought Chuck Norris had his day back in the 90s? Not at this gym! This Blink location has 4 Total Gym Elevate Circuit equipment pieces, and they are fun!

• ELEVATE Row ADJ
• ELEVATE Core ADJ
• ELEVATE Jump
• ELEVATE Pull-Up

You may need some assistance the first time you set these suckers up, as they may be a little bit more confusing than your standard pull knob adjustments on machines. After that, though, you’re good to go! The core, row, and pull machines have several exercises labeled on the machines for you try try out. Resistance increases with height and cable adjustments.

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Handicap Accessible

There is one more piece of exercise equipment that I want to specifically mention, as it goes back to the idea that this is a gym for everyone. Although I didn’t catch the name of this piece, its purpose is what’s most important.

Blink Fitness has a piece of cardio equipment that is handicap friendly. The seat is removable, providing easy access to a wheelchair. Maybe I’m just out of the loop, but I haven’t seen this particular machine anywhere other than my bouts at physical therapy. There should also be no issue maneuvering a wheelchair around this gym, as it’s very spacious.

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Tracking Weight Loss/Muscle Gain Goals

One of the coolest things this gym offers is the use of their InBody 570, a body composition analyzer. Similar to a Bod Pod or the like, this machine will let you know your lean mass, fat mass, water mass, muscle mass imbalances, and more. Now, after talking to the staff, we believe this apparatus probably falls right under the accuracy of the Bod Pod, so it won’t be your most accurate source of body composition; however, if you use this machine only, it could help you track your progress (and you can keep your clothes on for this one). You’ll receive a print out with all of your stats including percentages and a tracker at the bottom, so next time you take the test, it’ll label it right there for ya!

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Bathrooms – Just Trust Me

So we’re back to me being totally easily entertained/impressed here.

The bathrooms have two features that I think are neat, one of them obvious, the other is just nifty.

First: They have a dang vending machine in there!

If you forget something at home, they’ve pretty much got you covered here. (LOL, literally stated on their sign, so it must be true.) Gloves, earbuds, and feminine necessities… oh my! Pretty neat, ’nuff said.

What’s the other thing Jenna is so fascinated by?

Hold your horses…

The Sinks.

Ok, go ahead and judge me. It’s the little things in life folks, c’mon. Why is this sink so cool? Because it has soap, water, and a dryer all on the same bar. No mess. No waste. Just space technology really. I looked around for the hand dryer or some paper towels before I noticed I could just stay put and let the sink do all the work. I’m not totally sure why I love this so much, but I do. I think it’s just another one of those details that’s like, “Hey, we’re fancy and have thought of everything!”

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Group Fitness Room

I just wanted to quickly note that there is a group training room at Blink. It’s basically an empty room with a wooden floor and a large viewing window, where you’ll be able to select workouts from a TV. It’s not quite ready to be utilized just yet, but stay tuned!

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Stretching Area

Blink has a designated stretching area. There are plenty of mats and you can find all kind of med balls, sand bags, bands, and exercise balls for core work up here as well.

Hours

Better than the Rec Center for sure – not 24/7 like PF.

Monday: 5:00 am – 11:00 pm

Tuesday: 5:00 am – 11:00 pm

Wednesday: 5:00 am – 11:00 pm

Thursday: 5:00 am – 11:00 pm

Friday: 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Saturday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Sunday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Holiday Hours are already available on the website! Pretty cool to know ahead of time. Holidays also include a few smaller ones that you may not have considered altering gym hours, so definitely check those out.

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Rates

All rates get you access to the InBody analyzer, a free personal training session, free wifi, and the use of all gym areas, including the group fitness room (unlike some gyms where you pay extra to attend classes and such).

If you join in September, it’s $1. An important thing to note, you have to give 45 days notice before cancellation. There are no cancellation fees (for Grey membership), but you’ll get charged the 1st of the month unless you cancel 45 days out. Basically, if you join in September for $1, you’re going to pay for October no matter what.

• Grey ($15/month): access to 1 location, no commitment
• Blue ($22/month): access to >80 locations, guest access, yearly commitment
• Green ($27/month): access to >90 locations, guest access, yearly commitment

My advice to folks in VA, go Grey unless you travel a lot and need a gym other than one in your hotel gym. Virginia Beach’s Blink is the first in the state, though word on the street is Hampton’s should start construction soon. Grey is definitely the best deal for locals.

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Critiques

My biggest critique isn’t really that big of a deal, but as much as I’m easily impressed, I can sometimes be easily annoyed. I like to consider myself to be an environmentally conscious individual. Not perfect, but always trying. Blink takes pride in its cleanliness, but their wipes are actually…so sorry guys…awful. If you grab one to carry to your next set, it will be dry before you sit down. Maybe one day they’ll switch to the wipes the rec uses, where you get several uses out of them, but who knows. Hopefully no one will steal your equipment while you run to get a wipe to clean it off. Just be fast!

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How Does it Compare?

In my opinion, I think it’s a good deal! I think it’s 1000% overall a better gym than PF. Real squat racks, and you can do olympic lifts here. Good vibes, too. I typically pay for an annual rec center membership to save money, but if you do month-to-month over there, that will run you about $14/month and you don’t get to use the classes or anything special. If you’re looking for a new gym, or just one in general, I’d say get your Blink on! It’s worth it to give this one a shot.

Equipment List

If you’ve hung out until the end of this novel, here is an equipment list for this location! I simplified most for ease, but some you’ll need to copy and paste into google to get an accurate image.

Thanks so much to Laura for sending this my way to share for you all! Does this gym have what you need?

1	AB COASTER
1	PULL FEE
3	INDOOR ROWER
1	T2 RACK
2	11LBS COREBAG
2	22LBS COREBAG
2	33LBS COREBAG
2	44LBS COREBAG
2	55LBS COREBAG
2	13.2LBS GRIPR
2	17.6 LBS GRIPR
2	22LBS GRIPR
2	2.2LBS VERTMINI
2	4.4LBS VERTMINI
2	6.6LBS VERTMINI
2	8.8LBS VERTMINI
2	11LBS VERTMINI
2	11LBS SLAMBALL SBX
2	22LBS SLAMBALL SBX
2	33LBS SLAMBALL SBX
2	44LBS SLAMBALL SBX
2	22LBS CROSS TRAINING BUMPER
2	33LBS CROSS TRAINING BUMPPER
2	44LBS CROSS TRAINING BUMPER
6	POWER TUBES
1	32MM BATTLE ROPE
6	DECK 2.0 WORKOUT PLATFORM
4	8LBS STUDIO KETTLEBELL
4	16LLBS STUDIO KETTLEBELL
4	24LBS STUDIO KETTLEBELL
4	32LBS STUDIO KETTLEBELL
4	40LBS STUDIO KETTLEBELL
2	TL, FM i11.9 INCLINE
72	45LBS PLATE
72	35LBS PLATE
68	25LBS PLATE
68	10LBS PLATE
52	5LBS PLATE
7	U.S. 7′ POWER BARBELL
2	DUMBBELL 10LBS
1	DUMBBELL 12.5LBS
2	DUMBBELL 15LBS
1	DUMBBELL 17.5LBS
2	DUMBBELL 20LBS
1	DUMBBELL 22.5LBS
2	DUMBBELL 25LBS
3	DUMBBELL 30LBS
2	DUMBBELL 35LBS
3	DUMBBELL 40LBS
2	DUMBBELL 45LBS
3	DUMBBELL 50LBS
2	DUMBBELL 55LBS
2	DUMBBELL 60LBS
2	DUMBBELL 65LBS
2	DUMBBELL 70LBS
2	DUMBBELL 75LBS
2	DUMBBELL 80LBS
2	DUMBBELL 85LBS
2	DUMBBELL 90LBS
1	BARBELL STRAIGHT 20-110 SET
1	BARBELL EZ 20-110 SET
5	MATRIX CLIMBMILL
1	MAGNUM SERIES FW VKR W/ CHIN
2	OCTANE AIRDYNE X
4	4.0KG KETTLEBELL
4	8.0KG KETTLEBELL
4	12.0KG KETTLEBELL
4	16.0KG KETTLEBELL
4	20.0KG KETTLEBELL
4	24.0KG KETTLEBELL
1	REVOLVING CURL BAR
1	20″ MULTIPURPOSE BAR (Cable attachment)
1	TRICEP BAR (Cable attachment)
1	REVOLVING PULL DOWN BAR (Cable attachment)
4	DUMBBELL 2.5LBS
4	DUMBBELL 5LBS
4	DUMBBELL 7.5LBS
4	DUMBBELL 10LBS
4	DUMBBELL 12.5LBS
4	DUMBBELL 15LBS
4	DUMBBELL 20LBS
4	DUMBBELL 25LBS
1	BOSU PRO TRAINER
1	ELITE MED BALL PACKAGE (2lb, 4lb, 6lb, 8lb, 10lb)
1	PB EXTREME FOAM PYLOBOX 24″
1	PB EXTREME FOAM PYLOBOX 12″
1	PB EXTREME FOAM PYLOBOX 18″
1	10LBS RUBBER BUMPER PLATES
1	25LBS RUBBER BUMPER PLATES
1	35LBS RUBBER BUMPER PLATES
1	45LBS RUBBER BUMPER PLATES
2	FIRST PLACE ULTRA SPEED ROPE
40	WORKOUT MAT 1/2″ THICK
3	6″ FIRM ROUND FOAM ROLLER
1	MEDICINE BALL 8LBS
1	MEDICINE BALL 10LBS
1	MEDICINE BALL 12LBS
1	MEDICINE BALL 14LBS
2	FIRST PLACE TUBING LVL 2 PINK
2	FIRST PLACE TUBING LVL 4 ORANGE
2	FIRST PLACE TUBING LVL 1 PURPLE
2	FIRST PLACE TUBING LVL 3 MAGENTA
2	FIRST PLACE TUBING LVL 5 RED
2	FIRST PLACE TUBING LVL 7 GREEN
2	THERA BAND PRO SCP STABILITY BALL 55CM
2	THERA BAND PRO SCP STABILITY BALL 65CM
4	TRX SUSPENSION TRAINER
1	POWER WHEEL
2	PB DISC PILLOW
1	FIRST PLACE 1 1/2 TRANING ROPE 40′ BLACK
1	TRICEP ROPE (Cable attachment)
6	ADAPTIVE MOTION TRAINER
11	CROSSTRAINERS
28	TREADMILL
6	UBK 865 UPRIGHT P62
5	RBK 865 RECUMBENT P62
1	SEATED ROW MACHINE
1	CHEST PRESS MACHINE
2	ANGLED LEG PRESS
2	SMITH MACHINE
2	BICEPS CURL MACHINE
1	SEATED DIP
1	LAT PULLDOWN MACHINE
1	SEATED ROW MACHINE
1	DIVERGING ROW MACHINE
1	ROTARY TORSO MACHINE
1	CHEST PRESS MACHINE
1	CONVERGING CHEST PRESS MACHINE
1	SHOULDER PRESS MACHINE
1	LATERAL RAISE MACHINE
2	REAR DELT/PEC FLY MACHINE
1	LEG PRESS MACHINE
1	LEG EXTENSION MACHINE
1	PRONE LEG CURL MACHINE
1	GLUTE EXTENSION MACHINE
1	SEATED LEG CURL MACHINE
1	INNER THIGH MACHINE
1	OUTER THIGH MACHINE
1	SEATED CALF EXTENSION
1	ABDOMINAL CRUNCH MACHINE
1	ADJUSTABLE DECLINE BENCH
2	MULTI PURPOSE BENCH
12	MULTI ADJ BENCH
1	PREACHER CURL BENCH
1	BACK EXTENSION MACHINE
3	OLYMPIC FLAT BENCH
1	OLY INCLINE BENCH
3	HALF RACK
1	VERTICAL KNEE UP
2	FIXED BARBELL RACK
1	TORSO TRAINER DBR 610
1	8 STACK HI-LOW,PLLDWN,LNGPLL,CBLECRSS,HI (Where you’ll do cable exercises)
2	FTS GLIDE EXPERIENCE (Compact cable area)
1	DIP CHIN ASSIST
1	TOP EXCITE 1000 P LED