Is now a good time to join a gym? Tips for navigating the New Year’s rush
For those looking to get out of the house a little more in the new year — and perhaps onto a treadmill — right now can be a good time to invest in a gym membership.
With competitive markdowns for new members, free trials and discounts, it can seem like a no-brainer for those looking to up their fitness regimen.
But navigating the New Year’s rush on the gym floor can be a headache — especially since more than half of U.S. adults say they plan to “exercise more,” according to a survey by Statista.
Here are some tips for navigating joining a gym:
Take it for a test run
Ask about a one-day pass or a free pass to test out the facilities, recommends Gabriela Murza with Utah State University.
Take a tour and check out the quality of the fitness equipment.
Do they have the amenities, lockers and equipment needed to conduct your workout? How busy is it? Is the equipment in good condition?
Make sure to ask the staff any pressing questions.
Also take into account the gym’s proximity to your work or home. Is it possible to stop by for a quick workout on your way into or from the office?
“Some gyms offer free personal training sessions with a membership,” writes Murza. “Take advantage of these, but make sure they are certified by a credible organization. It’s a great time to ask questions, learn how to use the equipment and determine if there are areas you can improve upon.”
It’s recommended adults engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening training each week, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans report.
Read that contract
As boring as it may sound, it’s important to know the ins and outs of your contract, writes blogger Steve Kamb with Nerd Fitness.
Can you freeze your membership if you go out of town?
Is there an early termination clause in case you move or lose your job? What happens if the club goes out of business?
Does the membership automatically renew?
Just a few things to consider.
Go often or go hybrid
Having equipment at home makes it easier to bust out a quick workout from home, writes CNET.
Consistency in working out is one of the most important variables to ensuring you meet your goals.
Having an at-home workout set up — even if its just a couple dumbbells and a chair — can help to make sure you’re getting your minutes in even on your most busy days.
If you invest in a treadmill or exercise bike, get into a routine and keep yourself accountable to it. Consistency is key.
Scared? Embarrassed? Don’t be.
“If you struggle with self-confidence, or you don’t love how you look, you might assume that everybody around you will be judging you the whole time and don’t want to subject yourself to this torture,” Kamb writes in his online beginner’s guide.
“In fact, you might think that somehow you need to get in shape first, and then you can go to the gym... wrong!”
The Nerd Fitness writer suggests first-time gymgoers come wearing clothes they feel comfortable in, put on an “epic Spotify playlist,” zone everyone out, and get to work.
Most in the gym are just as self-conscious as you are and will be too self-focused to even notice you anyway, he writes.
If you keep an open mind in the gym, you might make some meaningful relationships and friends along the way.
