How To Decide If A Gym Membership Is Right For You
Exercise is important, as it can help you minimize the risk for a number of health problems and maintain a healthy weight. Once you've decided to start a regular exercise routine, you need to decide whether a gym membership is right for you or whether it makes more sense for you to work out in your home or in the great outdoors.
Which One Will Keep You Motivated?
Think about what would keep you more motivated to actually work out - the fact that you don't even need to leave your home or the fact that you've already spent a bunch of money to join a gym. Either way, you may want to arrange for a friend to work out with you to help maintain your motivation. This could mean going to the gym together or just having a standing appointment to meet at a certain time for a run or walk around the neighborhood. In fact, people who work out with a partner or a group of people tend to stay more motivated and lose more weight according to HealthyLiving.com.
Do You Like Variety?
Doing the same workout over and over can get boring, causing some people to lose interest in working out. It also limits fitness gains. A gym has a wide variety of machines as well as classes, making it easier to stave off boredom and stay motivated to work out. Don't expect to buy a treadmill and have this be your only way to work out. You may want to get some workout videos as well or alternate indoor and outdoor workouts if you don't join a gym.
Are You a People Person?
Some people prefer to exercise in private, while others like the camaraderie available at a gym. Just keep in mind that sometimes there can be too many people at a gym, such as the busy after-work hours, making it harder to quickly get your workout in and get back to doing the other things you enjoy. You may want to go early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds while still having others around.
Do You Have the Budget?
Nobody wants to waste money, so the decision may come down to which you would use more and save you money: fitness equipment at home or the facilities at the gym. Home equipment quickly pays for itself with regular use, but if you're more likely to exercise at a gym than at home, it makes sense to pay the fees to become a member there.
Which One Has the Convenience Factor for You?
In some cases, a home workout beats out the gym simply for the convenience factor. It takes extra time to get to and from the gym from your home, so if you don't have regular transportation or are perpetually short on time, a gym might not be the best option for you. But, if you don't have anyone to watch your kids and the gym offers babysitting or classes for kids, that may make more sense.