Why in the world would you join a gym?
I have been working out for some time now and I have never seen the point of joining a gym. In fact I have never put my foot inside an actual gym but I can testify that I have done more for my physical health (not to mention my wallet) than thousands of punters who do go to a gym. Yet many people who want to lose weight, gain muscle and look better, will immediately jump to the conclusion that a gym will have all the answers.
Pros
Safety: One main advantage of joining a gym is that you will (hopefully) have access to experienced fitness professionals who can help you perform exercises correctly. Performing weight training incorrectly can be damaging and can sometimes result in serious injury.
Social: I will often ask why friends who have gym memberships will pay monthly fees so they can drive to the gym get on an exercycle for 30 minutes and then drive home. Why they don’t simply buy the exercycle and save the time and money by working out at home is beyond me. Their common answer is that they enjoy the ’social element’ to it. Now hopefully we all have friends we can hang out with and perhaps we might enjoy meeting new people at our local gym BUT people we have to realise what fitness is about – it is improving our fitness and general health and to actually be able to see visible results. If you want to pay a monthly gym membership fee so you can meet new people then that is fine but don’t think you’re doing you’re body any favor.
Financial motivation: “I’ve paid the money so I better get my money’s worth” can be a good excuse-stopper. Just don’t end up being the person who stops going to the gym but keeps paying monthly fees because they plan to eventually get back into working out.
Cons
Price: Unless you make poor decisions in the type of fitness equipment you purchase (watching too many late night infomercials are we?) paying for a gym membership is by far the most expensive option. Most gyms will lock you into a long term contract
Time: If you’re anything like me you will already find it hard to spend time exercising and working out. Add to that getting in the car and driving to a gym, parking it going inside and repeating the process to drive all the way home? No thanks!
Hygienics: Who likes touching other people’s sweat? Yeah, me neither. Sure, I know that gyms (are supposed to) clean their equipment and that members are (supposed) to spray disinfectant after exercising but honestly, do you want to use stuff that half the gym membership have been sweating over before you came along?
Equipment: Gyms are trying to make money. Some of the best fitness equipment is not found in gyms. You see if you came to a gym and only used a swiss ball, dipping bar and chin up bar it wouldn’t take long for you to realise you could do most of that at home. Gyms need to have the fancy high tech equipment to stop you from working out at home.
Location: If you’re someone who travels a lot you’ll be paying membership fees for a gym you can’t even go along to.
Variety: Variety is the spice of life, an overused cliché for sure, but for most it is a very valid statement. What happens if you suddenly want to try something different for the next 3 months? Start mountain climbing, or inline skating? Or how about using free weights instead of machines? You are less free to pursue these things if you are locked into a gym contract and forced to pay membership fees.
Conclusion
You can probably guess by now that I am not the biggest advocate of gym memberships. Hey, if it works for you then by all means continue. However if you are new to the whole fitness thing, or you’re currently a member of a gym but aren’t making any ground, then my advice is to get back to simpler methods. Running, swimming, skipping, chin ups, crunches or press ups are just a few examples of activities that cost nothing but are just as effective as exercises you would find yourself doing at a gym (if not more effective).
If you’re into serious bodybuilding then there will be advantages to a gym. But if you just want to get bigger and stronger, or lean and toned, there is really nothing a gym can offer you that a free alternative cannot.
NOTE: The one big advantage of a gym is that you can receive expert advice on how to perform exercises. Getting injured from doing an exercise the wrong way is no fun. Having experts available is great for people who have absolutely no idea. Perhaps the best of both worlds is to attend a gym for a few months, then when you’re experienced you can work out on your own.
Popularity: 2% [?]
