I don’t have a gym membership, but I know many of you do. I think they are great in theory if I didn’t have to be around all those sweaty people in such close proximity. This non-people person freaks out! I know so many use them and love them and see great results because of them. And I know many of you probably don’t get your monies worth each month. And you know how I feel about wasted money! Gag. I’ve got a few ideas on how to get the most out of your gym membership, since you’re coughing up the money anyway. Here are a few great ways to utilize the gym:
Pick the Right Gym: Figure out your fitness goals and then make sure your gym is in line with them. If you only want to use the gym for the treadmill and free weights, you don’t need a gym with all the bells and whistles. Classes and a pool are a must for some, but you pay for them. Tour a few gyms {most offer a free day pass to check out their facility} and determine which one lines up with your goals best. You’ll use the gym more if it’s suited to your needs.
Fuel Your Body: If you don’t eat right before you hit the gym, you’ll probably be more apt to wander aimlessly. Your workouts will be less effective because your energy will be zapped! A mix of simple carbs and a little bit of protein that will give you energy without weighing you down. It will make that drive to the gym worth your time!
Take a Class: Even if you think group fitness is for the birds, there are hundreds of new and fun classes available at most gyms. It’s not just step and boring aerobics anymore! Aerobarre, Bollywood Dancing, Bikram Yoga, Hip Hop Hustle and more. There’s pretty much a class for everyone. The great thing about classes is that you not only get free instruction from a certified teacher, but you a forced to workout for the full hour or look like a big quitter. Might be great for someone who needs a tad more motivation!
Get Into a Routine: The longer you stay away from the gym, the easier it is to get out of the habit of going. Try not to go more than 2 days between visits. Set a time each day or make a schedule each week and stick to it. Some find a before work workout is best while others like to hit the gym at night. Find out when you have the most motivation and energy throughout the day and roll with that. If you stay consistent with your gym attendance, you will obviously see better results, but you will also be getting what you paid for.
But Not Too Much of a Routine: If you do the exact same thing at the gym every single day, you will probably get bored. If you get bored, you will probably stop going. If you do the exact same thing at the gym every single day, you will probably stop seeing results. If you stop seeing results, you will probably stop going. See how this could be a vicious cycle? So switch things up. Do weights one day, take a class the next and then maybe swim laps. Routines are great, but make sure you’re still seeing progress and still wanting to show up. If not, switch things up.
Use the Freebies: Many gyms have family swim times where you can bring your kids to the pool without paying another dime! Some offer free childcare while you are working out. Others offer free nutrition clinics or classes. Most gyms offer a free session with a personal trainer. And still others will allows you to give a free week or day pass to family and friends so they can try out your gym as well. Ask about all of these at the front desk and they might just clue you in on a few more freebies your gym offers as well.
Are you a gym rat? How do you get the most out of your membership?
~Mavis
Jennifer says
New to this blog, I guess I am behind. One thing I have noticed others doing that helps offset costs of a gym membership is to maximize the use of the gym’s bathroom. Some people take their daily shower, dry/ fix hair, and brush their teeth at the gym. Also filling up water bottles for the day is another good one. Lots of money can be saved by completely getting ready each day at the gym that you are already paying for anyway. I do not have a gym membership myself and enjoy getting ready in the privacy of my own home but I know a lot of people who do and I think it’s awesome.
Margery says
We have a family membership to our community center which is a gym/pool. I love it, it’s only a 5 min drive in the winter or a 15 walk in the summer. The pool area is huge it’s got a lap pool, rock climbing wall, water slides, zero entry splash pad, exercise pool, and a lazy river and hot tub. I take my 9 yo at least 2x a week during the school year to swim and another night to shoot hoops in the gym. Having the pool has made our mid winter stay in a hotel just to use the pool night in the middle of winter a thing of the past. We use it even more in the summer, pool time with out a sun burn my pale skin loves it.
I go 4-5x a week after dropping him off at school the timing is great as the only people in the exercise area are the over 60 crowd with a few moms added in. I agree classes make you finish, I am a big quitter at times but have some goals this year. The hubby goes about 3x a week, and the three teens at home go less but that is ok, with just the use of me, the 9yo, and the hubby the cost of the monthly membership comes to about 1.50 per visit.
I will admit on the nights my son swims we take his pj’s along and have him shower in the private family wet rooms they have and get dressed in his PJ’s.
Kim says
My husband’s employer will reimburse 75% of the cost of a gym membership (single, spousal, or family membership) if he logs 80 visits during the year. Previously, we belonged to an adult gym but recently switched to a family facility now that our children are school-age and starting to participate in more activities. At the family facility, non-member rates for swim class, gymnastics, dance, etc are double the member rate. Add to that the savings for summer youth camps and such and now our new savings far exceeds our 25% membership out-of-pocket. Additionally, this facility is about $200 less annually.
Jane says
The gym in our new town is amazing and I kind of can’t get over it. It has 2 pools and one has a huge waterslide. Its like a waterpark! They just made it so all kids get in free all the time- we have 4 kids. SCORE. It makes my own membership SO worth it. All classes are free for members. I’ve been going about every day and just started a TRX class that’s kicking my booty. Try one if you haven’t!
Lisa L says
The most I ever used my gym membership (the YMCA actually) was when we were having our only bathroom remodeled. It was so wonderful to have use of the showers there!
Brianna says
When I was in college, single, and living on my own I had a $30/month gym membership. I would go at 8 or so at night and it was dead. I could watch my cable tv there (I used rabbit ears at my apartment), take the longest hot shower and not worry about my utility bill, and the snack bar usually closed around that time and they would “toss” the brown bananas, produce, and already mixed concoctions….I started asking about them and soon I was going home with juices and produce for my next morning breakfast. They also had complimentary shampoo and body wash, so I never had to bring soap.