Joining a gym or having a gym membership is slowly becoming a status symbol. Most people join the gym because they want to stay fit, others want to socialize whereas, most people just want to see how they will progress by using the gym. One thing is important to know, your gym will not make progress, and you need to do it for yourself. If you are not motivated, you can hire a personal trainer. However, a personal trainer will have his limits. No one can drag you from your home or your bed. In case you feel that you are too busy or you do not have enough motivation do not commit.
Your gym is like a commitment and it is the only commitment that comes at a cost. Your gym wants you to pay and they don’t just want you to pay for one week but a whole year. If you are not a fitness freak do not commit to the use of money. Know your motivational boundaries and if you are satisfied only then invest your money. Some people also buy sports wear only to never wear them again.
This might sound very attractive that you will be working out with your friends at a local gym. However, this will soon become very stressful and in some conditions, very daunting. You will have the pressure to pay on the one hand and the pressure to visit every day on the other hand. Additionally, if your friend ends up ditching you or you have some professional commitment, you will be wasting your money. To help you understand the challenges, here are a few of the basics that you should know before paying for a gym membership.
Pay As You Go
We know that paying for a whole year will help you save some money. There is nothing wrong with paying for a whole month or six months but your gym wants you to never show up. Everyone knows that people are not so motivated and for the beginner going to the gym every day is a challenge. There are a few gyms that will give your hour credit, others will give you the payment on the spot option. Try to look for a gym that will allow you to pay as you go. Most of the time, this option is not available so you can look for an hour-based credit option, you will save a lot of money and will also have the motivation to go.
Don’t Rush With the Decision
We know that everyone will keep telling you to start today. However, starting today doesn’t mean you need to pay today as well. Start with baby steps and then get a membership. You can set up a home gym and see how motivated you are. Then go on a daily 15 minutes walk. If by the end of the month you become regular, you can simply get a gym membership. However, if you were dragging yourself to the walk or if you skipped half of the days, then don’t waste your money on a gym membership.
Choose Right Exercises
Gym membership will open doors for you. You will have the opportunity to discover better options. This means that you will see other people working out and you will get motivated. However, in some conditions, people choose something that they have no idea about. Don’t try things on your own. You will have a lot of people around you, even you will have personal trainers as well. You can ask about the machine and see what the purpose of the exercise is and then decide if you want to exercise or not.
A Working Buddy Is Good
If you have an issue with motivation, look for a workout buddy. You can invite a friend or a neighbor if you want. In most cases, people like to grab a friend along. However, grabbing a friend along doesn’t mean you can completely rely on them. You should drive your motivation through personal sources rather than relying on people around you. Most people skip workouts if their partner is not coming to the gym and this ripple effect goes a long way. To avoid this issue, grab a gym buddy who is already regular.
Don’t Push Yourself
We know that when you have paid for a gym, you get the pressure to put in the effort. However, don’t get overwhelmed by it. Pushing yourself too much might result in the form of injury. Try to get along at your own pace. You don’t have to push yourself too much especially if you feel like your body is hurting. You can start with home workouts or a simple walk. Once you are ready for the gym, only start after you are ready.
New Is Good
Trying out new exercises means that you will be experiencing new things. Most people get very afraid. They keep thinking about the exercises and the machines but they never try. Trying new things is good and since you are paying for it, you should try everything. Trying everything doesn’t mean you should start exercising and using everything without supervision. You need proper supervision because, without supervision, you will not be able to make the most out of your time. Another important thing is to have enough information before you try. There are so many different exercises that are offered at the gym. You need to know what will be suitable for you before you join a class.
Trainer Is Helpful
Most people think a personal trainer will cost too much. Don’t be afraid if you want some help from a trainer. You don’t have to pay for the session if you are just asking for some advice. In case you want simple consultation or a workout plan, you will find a team of fitness instructors at the gym. Most people find it daunting to approach a personal trainer however, the advice of an instructor is quite important. A bit of expert advice will save your health as well as time, so try to talk to a trainer before you try an exercise.
