Should You Join a Gym?

by Andy Williams - last updated 26th March 2024

Whether you're at the beginning of a health journey or halfway through a weight loss journey, most people will ask themselves, should I join a gym? This could even be their first step towards better health. For me, it was about one month in. So, in this post, I want to look at whether you should join a gym?

Benefits of Joining a Gym

Gyms have been around since the dawn of mankind and, of course, they are not going anywhere because of the benefits to someone going to a gym. When I first walked into Rochester Health Club, I was blown away by the atmosphere and helpfulness of the staff. So, let's look at some of the benefits of joining a gym:

1. Access to a Variety of Equipment: Gyms provide a wide range of equipment, including cardio machines, strength training equipment, weights, and more, allowing for a comprehensive workout that targets different muscle groups. This variety can help prevent workout boredom and promote balanced muscle development.

2. Professional Guidance and Support: Most gyms offer access to personal trainers and fitness instructors who can provide expert advice, personalised workout plans, and motivation. This guidance can be invaluable for safely improving your fitness, learning proper exercise techniques, and achieving your health goals.

3. Group Fitness Classes: Many gyms offer a variety of group fitness classes, such as yoga, spinning, Pilates, and Zumba. These classes provide an opportunity to try new workout styles, meet people with similar interests, and stay motivated in a fun, social environment.

4. Health and Wellness Resources: Beyond fitness equipment and classes, gyms often provide additional health and wellness services, including nutrition counselling, massage therapy, saunas, and swimming pools. These resources can help support a holistic approach to health and well-being.

5. Routine and Discipline: Having a gym membership can encourage regular exercise by creating a sense of routine and commitment. The act of going to a specific place dedicated to fitness can help reinforce discipline, making it easier to stick to a consistent workout schedule.

The Community Aspect: Finding Motivation in Numbers

It's amazing the number of like-minded people you will find in a gym. Whether it's a person into meditation and grounding or a group of people trying to lift the heaviest weight they can, or perhaps it's the mums on a Tuesday night at spinning class.

The community aspect in a gym can be really incredible if you embrace it, which enables finding motivation easier, chatting to like-minded people, and having conversations that engage and inspire us can only be a benefit during our health journey.

Maybe you decided to get involved with the water aerobics class or a HIIT workout before work. There's something quite humbling about suffering as a group, but also gives you that reassurance that you're not alone.

Drawbacks of Gym Memberships

While I don't think there are too many drawbacks to gym memberships, to create an unbiased post, I wanted to look into some of them.

• Cost: Gym memberships can be expensive, especially for premium facilities or those in high-demand areas. There may also be additional costs for personal training, special classes, or amenities, which can add up quickly.

• Crowds and Waiting: Popular gyms can get crowded, particularly during peak hours (early mornings, lunchtimes, and evenings). This can lead to waiting times for equipment or crowded classes, which can be frustrating and disruptive to your workout routine.

• Commute and Convenience: Depending on your location, getting to and from the gym can be time-consuming. The travel time, coupled with preparing to leave and then showering and changing afterward, can make gym workouts less convenient compared to exercising at home or outdoors.

• Intimidation or Discomfort: For beginners or those not confident in their fitness levels, gyms can sometimes feel intimidating. The presence of more experienced gym-goers or the gym culture itself can make some individuals feel out of place or self-conscious.

• Hygiene and Cleanliness: Even though most gyms have hygiene protocols, the shared nature of equipment and facilities means there's a higher risk of coming into contact with germs and bacteria. This can be a particular concern during cold and flu season or amid public health crises.

• Limited Access: Your gym's operating hours may not align with your personal schedule, limiting your access. Holiday closures or reduced hours can further disrupt your workout routine.

Home Workouts: Pros and Cons

Maybe you're sitting there trying to figure out whether to join a gym or whether to embrace home workouts. With the rise in technology bringing fitness onto people's phones and televisions, home workouts have never been easier. But let's look at the pros and cons now:

Pros to Home Workouts

1. Convenience: One of the most significant advantages of home workouts is the convenience they offer. You can exercise at any time that suits you, without having to commute to a gym. This flexibility can make it easier to stick to a fitness routine, especially for those with busy schedules or family commitments.

2. Cost-Effective: Working out at home can save you money on gym memberships, travel costs, and workout attire. With a plethora of free online resources, such as YouTube fitness channels and apps, or even just using your body weight for resistance, you can achieve your fitness goals without a financial burden.

3. Privacy: For beginners or those who feel self-conscious about exercising in public, the privacy of working out at home can be a huge relief. It allows you to focus on your fitness goals without feeling judged, enabling a more comfortable and stress-free workout environment.

Cons to Home Workouts

1. Limited Equipment and Space: Depending on your living situation, you might have limited space or lack the specialised equipment available at a gym. This can restrict the variety of exercises you can do and may impact the intensity of your workouts.

2. Distractions: Home environments are filled with distractions, from household chores to family members, which can make it challenging to stay focused on your workout. Unlike a gym, where you're there specifically to exercise, at home, it's easy to get sidetracked.

3. Motivation: Staying motivated can be more challenging when you're working out alone at home. The absence of a gym atmosphere, with its sense of community and shared fitness goals, can lead to a lack of accountability and decrease your motivation over time.

Evaluating Your Fitness Goals and Preferences

A big advantage that a gym does have is the amount of experience that lies within its four walls. Personal trainers are often on hand, usually on Instagram, taking a selfie, where they could give you some gems of advice on your fitness goals. 

If you choose, you can pay for a personal trainer to meet you on a regular basis, evaluating your journey and helping you adapt. And most gyms actually include induction sessions with a personal trainer to start you off on the right path.

There is a personal trainer called Maggie that introduced me to Rochester Health Club. And she was absolutely phenomenal! Sitting down and chatting about my current levels of fitness and evaluating where I wanted to go to was a great experience especially from somebody who clearly knew what she was talking about.

The Importance of Enjoying Your Workout Environment

Whether you decide to join a gym or work out from home, the importance of enjoying your workout environment cannot be underestimated. 

It is human nature to avoid doing something we do not enjoy. So, whatever the decision you make, whether to join a gym or work out from home, or even just to go for a walk every day in the morning around your local neighbourhood, if you enjoy it and you are going to stick to it, then that is the best thing. But there's no harm in trying something. 

Most gyms will allow you to pay monthly, which is something I would suggest rather than committing for 12 months.

Tips for Staying Committed and Consistent

So, if you've taken the plunge and joined your local gym, you really don't want to be one of those people that pay for it monthly but maybe go twice a year. Here are some tips on staying committed and consistent once you've joined your gym:

• Create a Routine: Consistency is key to making exercise a habit. Schedule your gym sessions just like any other important activity in your day. Find a time that works best for you and stick to it, whether it's early morning, during lunch, or in the evening.

• Vary Your Workouts: Doing the same routine can quickly become boring and may lead to plateaus in progress. Mix up your workouts to keep them exciting and challenging. Try new classes, change your cardio routine, and adjust your strength training exercises periodically.

• Find a Workout Buddy: Having a gym partner can significantly increase your accountability and make your workouts more enjoyable. Choose someone with similar fitness goals and schedules to ensure you can support each other.

• Stay Educated: Learning more about fitness and nutrition can keep you engaged and interested in your health journey. Read articles, watch tutorials, or even consider hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions to learn new techniques and exercises.

• Be Patient: Achieving fitness goals takes time and persistence. Don't get discouraged by setbacks or slow progress. Celebrate the small victories and stay patient as you work towards your long-term objectives.

• Remember Your Why: Keep reminding yourself why you joined the gym in the first place. Whether it's for health reasons, to feel better in your skin, or to achieve a specific fitness goal, staying connected to your initial motivation can help you push through tough times.