I have only heard someone say “I love my new gym” once, and that came from someone who had too much disposable income to spend on an outrageously pricey workout facility. Exercise and staying fit should be an accessible and affordable (and, dare I say it, fun) activity, but as times have changed and we have traded working in the fields for the office, gyms have become an expensive but necessary evil in our modern sedentary lifestyles. But working out in a gym should be rewarding and enjoyable, right?
Well, unlike said person just mentioned, gyms are for the most part expensive. Most gyms are inconvenient and unless you live in Manhattan where everything is accessible, gyms involve driving to (oh, the irony). But even more excruciating is the actual joining of a gym, from shady business practices to dirty facilities.
Before you join a gym, read on about what you should be aware of. Much of the advice comes from personal experience and working at a fitness magazine with trained experts, and you may find them useful. Although there are many common-sense “duh” tips, there are some that even experienced gym-goers tend to forget when they join a new gym.
Be honest with yourself: why do you want to join anyway?
How likely will you use a gym? Will you use it enough that you’ll see positive results in your fitness and health, or will a gym membership become a monthly money pit from lack of use? These aren’t just common issues I’ve noticed with friends and family who have gym memberships, but one that I continue to deal with. Like many people, even though I have the desire to work out on a daily or a semi-daily basis, there are many things (or excuses in some instances) that prevent me from doing so. For example, the two gyms I’ve joined aren’t close to my home (one is close to work, and another is close to a buddy I work out with); because of my carpool arrangement, I usually don’t have the flexibility in my schedule to go when I want to; and, admittedly, I am often bitten by the lazy bug. Despite having memberships to two different gyms, I don’t frequent them enough.
There are plenty of small neighborhood gyms or “discount” chains that don’t charge a lot for membership, so you could justify the lower cost if you want a gym membership but are an occasional gym-goer. (I pay $20 a month for one of my memberships to a no-frills gym that has plenty of great equipment, and despite my infrequent use of it I don’t feel as bad as I did when I used to pay $100 a month.) Also, many people join a gym just for amenities like a pool or sauna; for those folks, joining a gym isn’t so much about bulking up but relaxing. Still, be realistic about how often you think you’ll use the amenities you’re paying for.
So, despite your good intentions to get fit, if you believe there are events in your life that could prevent you from sticking to a gym regimen, you may want to seriously consider the pros and cons of joining a gym and explore alternative forms of exercise as well. (I had free access to a world-class fitness center in college, yet I used it fewer than 10 times during my four years of school; I had to ask myself, what makes me think I will go just because I’m paying for it.) About the only thing in life you tend to pay for and never use on a regular basis (or at least don’t want to use) is insurance.
Read more tomorrow in this three-part Fitness Journal series.