To get a gym membership or not. That is the question.
We have this idea that a gym membership is the only way to a toned and fit body, but it isn’t true. Most of the workouts we do at the gym we can do at home. The bike machine- ride a bike. The treadmill-go for a run. Yet as a self-professed gym lover there’s the reasons why or why not you should invest in a gym membership.
There’s no doubt that if you’re the type of person who loves lifting heavy weights or needs the extra motivation, the gym can provide; the gym may just be the right fit for you. There are a million reasons why to use the gym, you need a place to escape and refocus, or perhaps you live in an extremely cold climate. There’s no way I’m going out for a run at -15˚C (or 5˚F).
There are really only two reasons to not go to the gym.
- You won’t use it(or use it enough)
- You can’t afford it.
It can be hard to know if you will use a gym membership before you buy one. So simply asking yourself a few questions can get you started. Do you work out now? Is there something there motivating you that you will stick to? Is it a reasonable distance from your house, so it won’t discourage you from going? It’s important to think of these things before signing up and do your research on gym/class options available.
If you find you fit in the second category, don’t be discouraged. There are tons of free workout videos available to get you in tip-top shape. I remember one winter working out to Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred using cans of beans instead of weights because I was too broke to afford to purchase a set. Sure, my friends made fun of me, but I was getting fit, and it didn’t cost me a cent!
Ultimately no one but you can decide if purchasing a gym membership is the right thing to do. Remember feeling and financial situations change, so go with what works best for you now. You can always re-evaluate later.
Happy Fitness 