Susan and I are both a little sore, but in a good way and for good reason as we’ve spent an hour every other night over the past two weeks working out at the YMCA.

We’ve been members of the YMCA for a long time, since the kids played basketball there I think. We bought a family plan and go there occasionally, but you know how going to the gym goes. Our attendance spikes right around the time we write down our New Year’s resolutions and sharply declines a week or two after that.

Susan is scheduled for knee replacement surgery this May and needs to build up some strength in her joints. I said I’d go if she goes, and so we’ve been going. Historically we’ve stuck to the treadmills but lately we’ve started using the other workout equipment. The weights are adjustable and that’s good because sometimes we set them at only one or two peg above zero, but you gotta start (or restart) somewhere.

We tried two different YMCAs last week. The one closest to us is okay. The equipment is a little older and there seem to be a lot of teens running around playing tag, yelling, and generally “acting a fool” as they say. One kid was using one of the machines as a lounge chair and another one was watching YouTube loudly on his phone without headphones. The upside is that it’s 5.5 miles from our house and open 24 hours. We also tried the Healthy Living Center (for members 50 and older) which is brand new with brand new equipment and no kids. Unfortunately it closes at 9 p.m. and is 30 miles away.

Recently we unlocked another achievement. Susan learned that the YMCA near us actually is open 24/7, but you have to apply for after hours access. I probably shouldn’t reveal the secret handshake but it involves downloading a second app and using Bluetooth to unlock the door after hours. All my complaints about the Y closest to us go away when Susan and I are two of the four people in the entire place.

The other nice thing about going late in the evening is getting to see nice sunsets from the parking lot.

Every bit of muscle Susan can build up between now and her surgery will help with her rehabilitation afterwards. And if it sounds like I’m only going because she’s going — I know I need to go to. Some nights I prod her and most nights she prods me, but between the two of us we’ve been going.