Joining a health club can provide a much needed boost to your current fitness routine, but only if you actually show up and participate. Is a gym membership right for you, or is it a waste of money and time that might be better spent on home equipment and/or a fitness app subscription?
I have a long history of joining gyms and quitting gyms. I started in the 1970s at Elaine Powers, where rows of women used machines like the one below. There was also a little real exercise going on, but this was the machine that amused me the most. We’ve come a long way!
According to Shape magazine, the first thing to consider when choosing a gym is whether or not you actually need to (1). If you have a preference for outdoor exercise, and live in an area where that’s possible, then that might be a better choice for you. If your employer, apartment complex, home owner’s association, or other group already has a gym, can you use that facility instead?
Once you’ve determined that a gym is a necessity for your weight management goals, then the next consideration may be location. It comes down to this: the closer, the better. A Dstillery analysis for the Wall Street Journal found that
“People who traveled only 3.7 miles to their gym went five or more times every month. People who traveled around five miles or more only hit the gym about once a month. Distance was less of a factor, however, for individuals that sprung for more expensive gym experiences. Establishments like Equinox, The Barre Code, and SoulCycle warranted trips almost twice as far as cheaper competitors. Better amenities, more class offerings, and cleanliness can be a big draw for some. Basically, a mediocre gym five miles away is the worst option you could pick” (2).
Next up – what are the types of exercise classes and equipment are must-haves for you? (1) A friend of mine considers an indoor pool to be a necessity, while for me cycle/spin classes are crucial. In fact, I mainly joined my current gym because I can get unlimited monthly spin classes for the same price as just 2 classes at a specialty cycling studio! (Yes, the cycling studio has better equipment and is a nicer experience, but I can’t afford to take many classes there. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with my maintenance goals.)
And that brings us to price. You may have dreams of a posh health club, but if it won’t fit into your budget long term, you may be better off looking at alternatives. Are there hidden fees that might be a financial stretch? Read the contract, see if a trial membership is a possibility, ask friends about their experiences – basically do your research before you commit (4).
After you’ve checked out your local health clubs, you just might find that there isn’t a good option for you. That is disappointing, but it really isn’t as problematic as it may seem. There are many alternatives for you. Some people actually do better by exercising at home or outdoors. They may find the atmosphere to feel too competitive, or prefer playing their own favorites workout music.
Interested in creating a custom playlist that will invigorate you to exercise more? Take a look at this post: https://lindawbrowning.com/2023/03/08/exercise-workout-music-with-spotify/
Although it seems easy to focus on the negative effects of the pandemic, there is a positive development in the case of fitness classes. There are many new fitness apps and online classes that were developed out of necessity over the past three years. This will be the focus of an upcoming blog post so we can discover if any would be helpful for us.
We have many exercise options when it comes to maintaining our healthy weight. A gym membership is one possible way to achieve your workout goals. But if it isn’t the right answer for you, we will be exploring other options in the coming weeks.
(1). https://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/7-things-consider-when-choosing-gym
(2). https://lifehacker.com/your-gym-should-either-be-super-close-or-super-nice-1793529831
(3). https://www.self.com/story/14-questions-to-ask-before-you-join-a-gym/amp
(4). https://www.self.com/story/14-questions-to-ask-before-you-join-a-gym/amp
Maintain Weight Loss 