A Gym for Those Who Don’t Like Gyms

Something caught my eye the other day.  It was an ad for a gym which read that “members wouldn’t experience ‘gymtimidation’ from muscle bound brutes”.

This piqued my interest; after having been a private fitness trainer for nearly eighteen years, I think I may have heard every excuse in the book for why one wouldn’t want to join a gym. There have definitely been those who feel intimidated either by trainers or other members and allowed that to be the reason not to join themselves.

I am not familiar with this particular franchise myself and had never even heard of it before, but I think it’s a cool concept.

Still, however, there is no need to feel one has to join a gym.  

If you love being outside, get out and move.  

There is no such thing as a superior form of exercise that is the one that everyone should do. The bottom line is that the best activity for you is anyone you’ll actually do consistently! If you enjoy it, if it feels good to your body and you’re having fun, there’s a far more likely chance you will still to it compared to forcing yourself to do something you find punitive, that hurts or that you simply don’t enjoy.

At this time of year, gyms are counting on your desperate need to meet your resolutions in order to sell memberships.  And, if you already know you hate going to the gym, you’re the best potential member as you’ll give a donation to the club each month and not contribute to the machines wearing out in the least!

To clarify, this is not to say that you should not join; if you love it, then go for it!  I personally like the balance of some gym work including strength and treadmill sessions, along with plenty of outside activity.

I’ll say it again: Eat food.  Move.  Period.