When an individual or family purchases a club membership or fitness program, they should understand all of the benefits they receive from it, becoming aware of all the services provided and making a visit to the gym a habit.
It takes anywhere from 28 days to 2 months to create a habit. Once a habit is ingrained in the human brain, the habit (good or bad) becomes hard to break. Let’s say an individual has lived in the same home and worked at the same location for 5 years. Then suddenly, the individual moves to a different side of town but keeps the same job at the same location. After the move, when work is over, this individual occasionally will find themselves driving to the old home by pure habit. Similarly, if an individual goes to the gym at the same time every day, they will drive to the gym as if the car was autopilot enabled.
Getting Started
An old saying is, ‘Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it’. This theory rings true in all aspects of life, from work, to family, to exercise.
‘Sam’ plans on exercising at 6pm. During the day, she had to fix a problem created by a coworker. She was so busy with the problem that she ate lunch at her desk. After lunch she was then given a long, complicated project to complete ASAP while her inbox continued to fill. By the time 5:30 rolls around, the last thing Sam wants to do is exercise, however, it is the exact activity she should complete. A vigorous workout will take her mind off of her crazy day…an alcoholic drink will not. Strength training and cardiovascular activity will release endorphins to elevate her mood…eating a fatty dinner will only make her feel guilty later on that night or the next morning.
‘Pat’ plans on exercising at lunch. He woke with aggravated allergies. His shoulder felt a little sore from a workout from a few days ago. An old elbow injury is making his whole left arm stiff. When lunch rolls around, he not only should exercise, he must exercise. Pat needs to step on a treadmill, bike or elliptical machine for ten minutes and see what happens. He should perform some light calisthenics or movements he has learned for his elbow from a physical therapist to ‘loosen up’ his joints. He may have to alter his workout slightly, strength training his legs and performing more cardio to save the shoulder/elbow, but at least he got in the gym and did something. Pat will feel better the rest of the day.
Sometimes when you feel the worst before a workout, is when you have the best exercise performance. It makes no sense…but exercise consistently and you will find this to be true. Both Sam and Pat’s mood elevates significantly after a good workout, especially after a hard day. Yours will too.
Club Options
Individuals and/or families walk into a health club with the intention of purchasing a membership. They are taken on a tour, are told about some services the club provides, and then pay for a membership. After a thorough orientation, many become hesitant to ask for help. No one wants to admit they might not know exactly what they are doing.
Gyms have personal training departments. Although it can be easy for members to stereotype the personal trainers as ‘health nuts’, they are there to help the members. If a member wishes to know how to use a machine, or to learn a few new exercises, it is the trainer’s job to teach and they will spend a few minutes doing just that (as long as they are not with a client at the time). And remember, these trainers spend a significant amount of time studying exercise physiology and have passed certification exams. The vast majority know what they are talking about when it comes to wellness.
If a health club has a food store, get familiar with the menu. A post-workout meal quickly replenishes energy levels depleted after a strenuous workout and helps the muscles recover and grow. This post-workout meal should be consumed as soon as possible after the completion of a workout. If you cannot get home, cook and eat within 45 minutes of completing your training, take advantage of the shakes and meals the club provides.
A lot of health clubs have day care/kid’s clubs. Take an interest in what the kids will be doing while you are exercising. If the club allows, spend some time with your child in the place where they will be spending a few hours a week. Help your child find an activity or toy they will enjoy while you are working out. Doing so will increase the chances of your child enjoying their time at the club, and if they have fun there, they will ask to go, instead of having to drag them along unwillingly.
Simply knowing the services your club provides is not enough. Experience them. Learn the details. Your club use will increase the more you know about the services it provides. Don’t end up on the gym’s non-usage list.
Benefits
Many individuals in today’s society do not truly know what it feels like to have great health. They have either never known what it is like or the experience is so distant in the past that the feeling has been forgotten. It’s never too late to experience optimal health.
No study has ever been completed to measure how long it takes to achieve optimum health. We do know it takes time. True health takes practice. It requires trying different nutritional habits and exercise routines. Everyone is an individual. Some individuals may be more suited to a higher-protein diet. Others do well as a vegetarian and others feel great with a balanced diet. Try different nutrition plans, journal what you are eating and how it makes you feel…if it feels right, it is (as long as the foods eaten are mostly natural and/or organic).
The same theory rings true with exercise. You may feel best when lifting heavy weights, or performing long-distance running, or circuit training that entails both strength training and cardio elements. Try enough different routines and you will find one you like, and there is no greater motivation than loving a workout. Happiness involves enjoying what you do, and doing it often.
Ken Kashubara earned a BSBA from the University of Pittsburgh along with four varsity letters. He has now furthered his wellness knowledge by earning Personal Training certificates from both the American Council on Exercise and the National Academy of Sports Medicine, which he puts to good use through his writing for Greenmaple Wellness Inc, and his Kash Personal Training business, where he now leads others to better health.
Ken is also a regular contributor to the Fitness Town Health & Wellness On-line E-zine. For more great articles like this one, please visit here and sign-up to receive our free newsletter once per month.
Healthy living to you and your families from all of us at Fitness Town.
I am always looking to improve my health. I always try to put off joining the health club… maybe I should reconsider