While joining a gym might be the first step towards a total wellness program, join the wrong gym and it might actually derail you from your fitness goals. Gyms are about more than the equipment and classes they offer; they are also about an approach to fitness. Joining a gym that approaches fitness in a way that is unappealing, or even a turn-off, for you, and you may find yourself with a negative attitude towards working out. Therefore, when looking for a gym, make sure you look beyond its surface, and determine whether it is a match for your goals.
To do this, you first need to decide what your fitness goals are. Are you looking to lose a quick 10 pounds to look great for your wedding, make a lifestyle change because of a recently diagnosed disease like hypertension or diabetes, or focusing on increasing muscle strength or endurance? You might think that fitness means a one-size fits all approach, but the eating plan and workout regime for someone who wants to be a body builder is very different from the plan for someone who wants to run a half-marathon. Write down your fitness goals and examine what they mean to you, because, until you know your goals, you cannot determine if a gym will be the right fit.
Do a little snooping on social media. What do members say about the gym, and, what do you know about those members? Do they talk about their gym as a place to work out or is it a social activity center for them? Some gyms develop cult followings and play an important role in their members lives, while others provide a brief respite from the hectic day-to-day world. Look at the reviews to see what members say about the gym, to help you determine whether it will meet your needs.
There is no one pathway to fitness. Come visit us at our Franklin Lakes, NJ location and find out how The MAX Challenge can personalize a workout plan to help you meet your goals.
