New year, new you is a mantra many people use to help improve their life overall. For many, this may mean considering a gym membership. But is it really worth it? Is it a good idea to purchase a gym membership, or would it be better to just work out at home? Though gym memberships can sometimes be costly, there are plenty of benefits to consider. Depending on your goals and motivation, joining a gym might be exactly what’s needed to create a new you in the new year.
Motivation to Keep Working Out
A huge benefit of a gym membership is the motivation to keep going. While many gyms offer a month-to-month membership, there may be a required number of months before the contract can be canceled without an added fee. Who wants to pay monthly for a gym membership they don’t use? Having a gym membership that has to be paid monthly can be an excellent motivator, keeping you going back and helping you work on your health.
Beyond the fees, there may be more motivation to keep going. You may take classes you enjoy going to week after week, get motivation from how you look and feel, or keep going to meet with the new friends you’ve made since joining the gym. Having everything easily accessible and being able to meet up with others can be excellent motivation to keep you working out month after month.
Meet Others with Similar Interests
Some people go to the gym simply as a way to work out each week, but there are others who will go because it’s an opportunity to be social while working out. Even if your goal is just to work out each week, you may end up meeting a ton of new friends at the gym. They may have a schedule similar to yours or like taking the same classes. While it’s possible to go work out and come home without interacting with anyone, going to the gym can be a social experience, too, and can help you meet new people you’ll enjoy spending time with each week.
Learn the Right Techniques
Every exercise has a proper technique, but it can be hard to learn all of them. Working out at home, even if you’re watching exercise videos, may not be the best way to learn how to do new exercises. If the technique is wrong, it is possible to be injured, and some injuries can be serious. By working out at the gym, you have the opportunity to learn how to do the exercises properly. This helps minimize the risk of an injury but also helps make sure the exercise is as effective as possible so you see the results.
Try Out New Trends
What to do when working out is different for everyone. Do you want to focus on strength training, or do you prefer to take classes? There are always new trends in the fitness world, and if you enjoy trying out new things, you may want to try out the different fitness trends to find what works best for you. With a gym membership, it’s easy to keep up with the trends. New classes are added when something different comes along, and it’s easy to sign up for a class or two to see what it’s like. This also can help add variety to your fitness routine, helping you keep up with it because there’s always something new to try.
More Equipment to Use
Gym equipment can be expensive. There are options that can be purchased for home use, but they need to be stored when not in use, and creating a whole home gym will be costly. By joining a gym, you have access to all of the equipment and can use it at your convenience. There’s no need to pull out the treadmill from under the bed or try to find room for a weight bench and weights. If you want to try something new, there won’t be a huge upfront expense because you already have a membership at the gym. Though you’ll pay monthly for the gym membership, it can help you save in the long run when comparing it to the cost of home equipment and replacements as they wear down.
Personal Trainers Available
Are you interested in a training plan designed specifically for your needs? Working with a personal trainer gives you the opportunity to get help creating and following a plan that meets your needs. You’ll be able to learn how to do exercises safely, learn what works best for your body, and get updated plans as your needs change. If you’d like to work on your overall health, not just your fitness level, it’s also possible to work with a health and nutrition consultant. You’ll get all the help needed to transition to a healthier lifestyle.
Luxury Amenities
Depending on the gym, there may be a number of luxury amenities included with the membership. These can include a pool for general use, a sauna for relaxation after a workout, massages, and a lot more. It’s worth looking into the amenities before joining a gym to learn more about what they have available. Even if it’s an amenity you don’t think you’ll take advantage of at first, you may end up using it in the future as you expand your workout regimen or learn more about the benefits of the amenity. Take some time to find out everything that’s offered before signing up for any membership.
No Worry About the Weather
Walking, bike riding, running, and more are all excellent exercises and might be where someone starts when they aren’t sure if they’ll use a gym membership. However, you’ll find eventually that your routine gets harder to stick with when it’s too hot or too cold outside, when it’s raining, or when there’s any other adverse weather. With a gym membership, there’s no need to worry about rain or the current temperature. It’s possible to walk, run or ride a bike indoors, giving you the opportunity to work out every day and whenever it’s convenient.
Safety
Depending on your location, it may not be safe to walk or run, especially if you prefer to exercise early in the morning or late at night. If you have a home gym, safety is a concern because you may not have easy access to help if you’re working out while alone and you’re injured. Joining a gym gives you a safe and secure location to work out, no matter what time you prefer to go. There’s no need to worry about traffic patterns, the potential for injuries while alone, or other safety concerns while working out alone, as there will be others at the gym who can help in an emergency.
Cons of Going to the Gym
While there are tons of benefits to joining a gym, there are some downsides, too. It is important to understand both to determine whether joining a gym is the right option.
Cost
Cost can be a concern, especially if you’re on a strict budget right now. While the cost may be well worth it to improve your overall health and fitness, it can be expensive to pay for a gym membership every month. Look for cost-saving options to save as much money as possible while still taking advantage of the gym’s features. It may be less expensive to join at certain times of the year when the gym has a special, or there could be money-saving bundles available for those who are new to the gym.
Safety
The pandemic brought to light the potential for catching illnesses while going to the gym or doing other everyday activities. Though a lot of restrictions are ending, it is still important to stay safe at the gym and in other public spaces, as COVID isn’t the only communicable disease to worry about in public spaces. To minimize the risk of getting sick, clean equipment before and after use, shower after going to the gym, and wash your hands often.
Flexibility
Going to the gym might not be as flexible as you need. If you take classes, you’ll need to make sure you can be at the gym when the classes are offered. If you prefer working out early in the morning or late at night, opt for a gym that’s open 24 hours a day or that has extended hours to make sure it’s open when you need it.
Working out is an excellent way to improve your health and fitness, and it’s a great goal to work on throughout the year. The main concern, however, may be whether or not it’s a good idea to join a gym. There may be downsides to joining a gym, but there are a whole lot of benefits too. If you’re looking for a safe location to work out in the morning, somewhere you can try out new exercises, or somewhere you can meet new friends while improving your life, joining a gym might be a great idea.
