8 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Gym Membership

Gym memberships are useless when your time is wasted waiting in line for others to finish using the machines or just trying to get enough courage to walk into the door with fear of your flab being the talk of the gym. Most won’t realize that a gym isn’t a match until it’s too late. In order to get the most bang for your buck, follow these 8 tips on how to get the most out of your gym membership and finally achieve your fitness goals!

1. Make Goals –Before walking in the door, you should have some specific goals in mind. Which ones will this gym help you achieve? Are you looking to lose a little weight, tone your body, or train for a marathon? Make sure you know what you want to achieve prior to signing up for your gym membership.
2. Pick a convenient location– Choose a gym with a location close to your work or home. If your gym isn’t convenient for your life you will be less likely to go.
3. Go for a test drive – Most gyms offer potential members a complimentary pass to try out the gym before committing to membership. You’ll want to make sure the gym matches your needs before committing to it.
4. Take a fitness class, or two- A lot of gyms offer cardio classes and if you don’t do them regularly, they will shock your body. Try a boxing class, a spin class, Zumba, Pilates or anything that is offered. Mixing in these classes with your classic cardio workouts such as the treadmill or elliptical, will help you to get better results and keep you from burning out.
5. Try everything- Most gyms have a lot of amenities to offer. Make sure you try out all the gym has to offer from classes, yoga, cardio, machines, and personal trainers. Your body will tell you what it likes and doesn’t like. Find a routine that fits you. If you do you’ll be more likely to stick with it and achieve your fitness goals.
6. Don’t be Embarrassed- Except for a few people trying to score their next date, most are at the gym to work on their health and fitness, and getting their body into shape. Don’t let anyone intimidate you or make you feel like your workout is inferior. Remember any workout is better than no workout and everyone works out at different intensities. Go at a pace that works for your body and gradually increase your strength.
7. Hire a Certified Personal Trainer- When looking into gyms; inquire about free personal training sessions that may come with your membership. This can be a great asset especially for a gym newbie. If you don’t know what you’re doing a personal trainer can create a personalized routine without having to shell out the big bucks for those hourly sessions.
8. Know Your Exercise Routine- When going to the gym; know what exercises you are going to do. Save magazine clippings, Google workouts, or pin routines on Pinterest as a helpful cheat sheet. The last thing you want to do is waste time at the gym by not knowing what to do next to achieve your desired results.

Remember committing to a gym membership can cost a lot. The last thing you want to do is waste it. In order to get the most for your money, you have to show up and work hard. The more time and effort you put in, the bigger payoff you’ll receive in your overall health and fitness goals.