5 Reasons Why You Don’t Need That Gym Membership
Did your New Year’s Resolution this year include the purchase of an annual gym membership? Tell me if this story sounds familiar. It’s January 1st and your initial step towards improving your health is to hit your local gym. But as the year progresses, your schedule becomes busier and your motivation wanes. Before you know, it’s March and you haven’t seen the inside of your gym in weeks.If you identify with this anecdote, then know that you’re not alone in your struggle. Gym memberships simply don’t work for everyone. The good news is, staying healthy and in shape does not necessarily require an expensive, time-consuming commitment.
Check out these five reasons why you don’t need that gym membership:
You’ll Save Money
Gym memberships can cost anywhere from $40 to $200 a month, not including initiation or add-on fees for special classes and features. Unless you’re utilizing your health club three to four times a week, you are likely spending your hard-earned money for little return in health benefits. . A practical alternative would be to invest in the one-time cost of dance workout DVDs.You can purchase DVDs of essentially any class you could pay to take such as Bombay Jam, the infectious hour long Bollywood-infused workout.
You’ll Save Time
If your gym isn’t around the corner from work or near your home, you’re probably a fair amount of time commuting.Even a paltry 15-minute drive is half an hour of time lost. The beauty of at-home workouts is that they can be done anywhere and anytime. So whether you’re squeezing in some exercise during your lunch break or working out in your living room, you can save time in traffic as well as your car’s mileage by opting for this convenient alternative.
You’ll Avoid Having to Bring Extra Clothes to Work
Bringing extra clothes and shoes to work each day can be a major inconvenience; especially if you dress in formal attire to the office. Not only do you have to lug around a gym bag during the day, but it requires you to plan ahead and make time the night before to pack your workout necessities. For those of us with families and busy jobs, this time is often considered a luxury. .
You’ll Be At Peace
Unless you hit the gym early in the morning before work, chances are you work out during the same times most other people do.Going to the gym during peak hours can be intimidating and frustrating, especially when you have to wait for machines and free weights or uncomfortably ask to jump in during someone else’s workout. Working out away from the gym eliminates the crowd and the lines, yielding more peaceful mind-to-body exercise experience.
You’ll Experience a Better Atmosphere
Of course there are some gyms that offer a great atmosphere for their members but, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Unless you are shelling out big bucks on an extravagant health club, this is probably not the experience you are getting. Any moderately priced gym typically leaves a lot to be desired — from the quality of the workout machines to the actual cleaning and upkeep of the facilities.
The Exceptions
It goes without saying that a gym membership isn’t a bad idea for everyone. If you’ve read to this point and are still committed to your health club, then congratulations! You are in the select pool of people who have made it work. While there are a several benefitsof a gym membership, it is important to know that there are valid and viable alternatives. Opportunities for exercise exist everywhere. Don’t get boxed into the mentality that going to the gym is the only way to get in shape.
The Solution
You can fill the exercise void of your gym membership any way you’d like. Find activities that naturally interest you. Natural interest generates intrinsic motivation which, in turn, produces results. The key is to find an environment and activity that works for your schedule, your body, and your needs So whether that’s yoga in the park, basketball, cycling,taking 10 minute breaks at work for push-ups and crunches in the office,or exercising in the comfort of your own home, be sure to form a habit that will stick.
What are some substitutions you’ve made to a gym membership? Let us know in the comments section below!
