How to Make the Most of Your Gym Membership
Why pay for something you don't use? Here are some helpful tips to help you get the most from your gym membership. Health and fitness are so important, but it doesn't have to be a chore!
Hannah Mounsey
8/24/2024
If you’re paying for a monthly gym membership, you want to ensure you’re getting value for your money. Shockingly, up to 67% of gym members don’t attend their gym, which is crazy! Why pay for something you don't use? Here are some helpful tips to help you get the most from your gym membership.
Find the Right Gym for You
With over 4,880 gyms in the UK, ranging from franchises and council-owned facilities to privately run establishments, there’s something for everyone. However, if you don’t live near a gym or can't access one for various reasons, home workouts might be a better fit.
Prices, joining fees, and contract lengths vary greatly depending on the gym's brand, type of membership, and included extras. If you only want to use the gym, find one that charges just for that. If you enjoy fitness classes as I do, check memberships that include your favourite classes. Additional activities such as swimming are often included in council-owned gym memberships.
Choose the Right Contract Length
Before signing up, ensure you pick the right contract for you. Here are some questions to consider:
How many times a week will you attend?
Do you need a gym with multiple locations due to your lifestyle?
Are there any other commitments that might affect your gym attendance?
Do you want extras such as a swimming pool, classes, sauna, or even a spa?
These questions will help determine how much you should pay, the contract length included amenities, and whether you need a gym with multiple locations. If you’re not committed to regular attendance, a yearly contract might not be for you. In such cases, a pay-as-you-go option might be more suitable.
Establish a Routine
Routine is key to staying on track and avoiding gym non-attendance. Set a realistic gym schedule that fits your week, considering work, home, social life, chores, and other commitments. Some people even attend the gym at unconventional hours to fit their lifestyle, like those working shifts.
Plan how many times you'll attend the gym weekly. Don’t overburden yourself with high targets that might lead to mental and physical exhaustion. A good starting point is three visits a week, which you can increase once you’re in a happy routine.
Enjoy Your Workouts
Enjoying your workouts is crucial. If you don’t like the gym, you’re wasting your money. Find your happy place in the gym by considering factors like the type of workout, specific movements you enjoy, whether you prefer working out alone or with someone, listening to music, and setting achievable goals.
Incorporate activities you enjoy into your gym life to stay motivated. For example, I enjoy both solo and group workouts, and my favourite classes are spinning, circuits, and combat. My current goal is to grow my glutes (I dream of the day my bum is like Kim K’s), but I detest hip thrusts, so I removed them from my weekly routines and only do them when I feel up to it.
Inspiration is a great motivation and can assist with workout ideas, all you need to do is find fitness enthusiasts you like online, and follow their advice and tips for additional help and support. I find that watching a couple of videos even when I’m in the gym can aid me enjoy my workout.
Don’t Be Intimidated
Many people feel intimidated by the gym, especially if they’re not regulars or don’t know what they’re doing. But remember, everyone in the gym is there for themselves. Most gym-goers feel the same way, and while some might seem aloof, they’re probably just focused or shy.
Gyms can be friendly places. I’ve made great friends at my gym, JD Doncaster, and we even meet outside the gym. Here’s a pic of me with 8 of my gym buddies at a recent evening meal:
Set Clear Goals
Setting clear goals is essential to making the most out of your gym membership. Your goal should motivate you on the days when you feel lazy and push you to dig deeper during tough workouts. People have various motivations and goals, such as building muscle, losing weight, participating in events like Hyrox, or achieving a specific running distance. Whatever your goal, let it drive your gym journey.
Make Use of Gym Resources
Many gyms offer free initial consultations with personal trainers. Take advantage of this to create a workout plan tailored to your goals. Additionally, attend the gym’s free classes and workshops to learn new exercises and techniques. Tip: If you look at a JD online, it will tell you that a one-time pass is £10 (absurd if you ask me), however, if you have a local JD and would like to try it, then just pop by, speak to a member of staff and ask if you can trial it as you’ve never been before, and you will probably be let in for free.
Monitor Your Progress
Track your workouts and progress to stay motivated. Use a fitness app or a simple journal to log your exercises, weights, and repetitions. Regularly reviewing your progress can help you adjust your workouts and stay focused on your goals. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat, so if you are toning up muscles whilst losing weight, you might not see much difference on the scales.
Explore Off-Peak Hours
If your schedule allows, consider attending the gym during off-peak hours. Gyms are usually less crowded during these times, allowing you to use equipment more freely and enjoy a quieter workout environment.
By following these tips, you can ensure you’re getting the most out of your gym membership and stay committed to your fitness journey. Please get in touch and let me know if this helped you at all, I’d love to hear your stories, goals and motivations!