One in five North Americans—About 75 million people in fact—belong to a gym, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). That’s the good news.
The bad news? Almost 7 million people don’t use their memberships. At all. While that number isn’t high, we would like to bring it down. Everyone joins a gym with goals. We’re here to discuss some of the possible setbacks to bust those excuses with ways to get more active with your gym membership whether it’s with us at NRG 4 Life or another gym. I hope this week’s blog will reignite those excuses and get you back on track to have a healthy gym membership that’s being used. In the process, you will gain lots of health benefits from strengthening your heart, your muscles, gaining stamina, energy while decreasing your risk of many diseases. Your mind will be sharper and your confidence will soar. You will gain new friends at the gym with like-minded goals to help keep you on track too!
In fact, the average gym goer makes it to their health club just twice a week, says Alexandra Black, health promotion manager for IHRSA. “Health clubs want people to renew their memberships, and that’s us too, (we want you to be getting value from your membership & using it) but if you’re not using the gym, you’re not going to,” says Black.
If you’re not a member of a health club and are using one of the following excuses, then we offer you a week FREE at NRG 4 Life to try it out. You will know at the end of the week, if it’s for you and we are sure you will love it! If you’re still not sure, then buy just a month and see how things are going from there. It’s true, most people purchase a 1 yr membership (paid in monthly pre-authorized payments), though as it’s great value and very economical.
IHRSA has conducted extensive research to determine why people stop going to the gym. The following are four of the most common excuses, plus research-backed reasons why they’re bunk.
4 Gym Excuses You’re No Longer Allowed to Make
#1 Excuse: “I don’t have time.”
Busted: Exercise increases productivity.
If your to-do list is overflowing, you might think that an hour at the gym is a luxury you can’t afford. But research shows that exercise can make you more productive the rest of the day. In one study, employees who were allowed to exercise during the workday reported less stress and greater productivity compared to those who didn’t exercise. And a Swedish study found that employees at two dental practices who were given time off to exercise were not only able to treat more patients during the time they did work, but they were also sick less often. At NRG 4 Life, we have 30 min Express classes that give those who don’t have more than this, an opportunity to get in a great workout in a short period of time. The group camaraderie is contagious, the instructors are very motivating and you will leave feeling energized with a sense of accomplishment.
Excuse: “I’m too tired.”
Busted: Exercise boosts energy.
As little as 20 minutes of low- to moderate-intensity exercise three days a week can significantly boost energy, according to researchers at the University of Georgia. For their study, researchers divided healthy-but-fatigued, sedentary young adults into three groups: One exercised for 20 minutes at a moderate intensity, a second group exercised vigorously for 20 minutes, and a third did nothing at all. After six weeks, both exercise groups had a 20 percent increase in energy levels. Most significantly, though, the moderate intensity exercisers reported a whopping 65 percent drop in feelings of fatigue, and the intense exercisers reported a 49 percent decrease in fatigue. This is awesome news! As soon as you get started endorphins kick in so give yourself the “5 min test” I say. If you still don’t feel like working out after 5 min’s then don’t however, chances are that you will carry on. The endorphins your body releases during exercise will want to make you keep going, naturally.
Excuse: “It’s too crowded.” Not NRG 4 Life. There’s never any line ups for equipment. We have lots of equipment and 55 classes per week to choose from!
Busted: Group exercise (ie. Classes) can get you to the gym more often.
Instead of waiting for the machines to open up, try signing up for a class—particularly if your typical workout window falls during peak gym hours. In one Penn State University study, researchers gradually introduced a group of 25 sedentary exercisers between the ages of 25 and 40 to group fitness classes, eventually working up to seven classes each week. Over the course of the 30-week study, 20 of the 25 participants never missed a workout. In another Nielsen study of 1,000 group-fitness-class participants, 90 percent visited the gym twice a week solely to attend classes; 40 percent visited the gym four times a week for the same purpose. Classes full? Try this workout specifically designed for packed gyms.
Excuse: “I’m intimidated by all those folks who know what they’re doing.”
Busted: You’re not alone. At NRG 4 Life is so not intimidating!
According to a 2014 IHRSA Trend Report, nine percent of gym goers ended their gym membership because they felt out of place, eight percent left because they found it too intimidating, and three percent left because they didn’t quite know what to do there. “Clubs have a lot of health promotion programs in place to help people learn how to use the gym,” says Black. At NRG 4 Life, we offer complimentary orientations. You’ll be shown how to use our equipment properly. “But on a personal level, people aren’t looking at you as much as you think they are. They have their headphones on and they have their own workouts that they’re doing. Plus, there’s no stigma for having slightly different technique.”
NRG 4 Life Fitness is so non-intimidating! This is one of the main reasons we created our facility to give our community an option where you can workout in a friendly and non-competitive environment. I was always the last to be picked for any sports team as a child and teenager so I know what it’s like to not fit in or feel like I’m not in shape. This is the drive force to make NRG 4 Life different than most other gyms – an inclusive environment that recognizes people for just walking in the door like “Cheers” – a place where people know you by name and the staff are friendly and supportive.