Gyms Are For Life, Not Just For Christmas

Ever wondered what the worse time of year to go to a gym is? I can tell you it is just after the New Year, when all the newbie's sign up for their annual 2 months of fitness a year and it is so annoying.

I've been a member of several gyms over the years, some good, some not so good, some offer clean cut fashion boutiques, while other have clearly seen better days. However, the one thing that remains the same between them all is the influx of members on the 2nd of January as they sign up all the New Year resolution hopefuls, who in the back of our minds we know will quit before March.

Why are people so afraid of heading to gyms? Do we find them intimidating? Whatever the reasoning behind it, we need to reassure people that exercising for 2 months every year does not equate to a healthy lifestyle and that people down at the gyms are generally very friendly when you approach them.

In all the years that I have been exercising I haven't ever been hassled, harassed, intimidated or made to feel inadequate. In fact quite the opposite has happened, if I have ever needed a hand with a piece of equipment there has always been someone willing to help me out and if you ever take the opportunity to speak to one of your fellow members you will find that a lot of them are keen to respond.

Going to gyms has become a lot more of a social event. People have less and less time to fit everything in their busy schedules, so friends at the gym can sometimes become like an extension of your close knit friends. I have met several people at gyms over the years that I have developed close friendships with and regularly meet up with for drinks at the weekend. Once you make friends at the gym it makes it a much easier place to visit, as you are visiting for two reasons.

The statistics show that the population as a whole is becoming more and more unfit and obese, if we don't all do something to correct these figure then the effect that it will have on the NHS will be immense. It shouldn't really be an issue, if you are in shape you feel better about yourself and your confidence and self respect for yourself will increase, I've seen it happen on many occasions.

Unfortunately people will continue to lie to themselves and make excuses, but if you are going to make excuses for yourself and not bother turning up for training then please don't bother clogging up my gym for the first two months of every year, there are plenty of people out there who do want to train.