The New Year has arrived and people all over the world have decided to join the gym. But when it comes to you and your personal choices, are you a fan of the gym atmosphere or not?
Don’t feel bad about questioning this stance as it’s a valid one to have. There are some great positives about joining a gym but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with its list of negatives, too.
If you’re on the fence about whether you should pay for a gym membership or not, these simple questions might be ones that you need to stop and ask yourself.
Is a Gym Membership Really Worth the Money?
It’s a pretty safe bet to say that probably everyone that you know is going to the gym right now. They’ve signed the contracts, paid the bill, laced up their tennis shoes, and show up daily to get their work-out on.
And while that might be a great regimen that works for them, is it one that works for you? It’s no secret that the cost of a monthly gym membership is actually quite high so determining if it’s worth the cost is totally up to you.
Before signing that two-year gym contract, consider some of these points and then make your own educated decision.
Gyms require a commitment
Deciding to join a gym means that you’re committing yourself to actually going. Either you want to try to get healthy or you don’t. But one way or the other, you’re signing on the dotted line to say that you’re now a member of the gym.
And the bottom line is that even if you don’t go to the gym, you’re going to be obligated for that payment every single month.
Unless you join a gym that lets you go monthly (highly unlikely), you’ve committed to yourself for a certain amount of money for at least the next 12 months.
But do you know what’s not expensive? Working out in the comfort of your own home or exercising outdoors in Mother Nature. Both can offer great results with little to no cost.
Gyms can feel “inclusive”
Sometimes that feeling of belonging is awesome but other times, it’s not. The last thing that you want to feel when you’re trying to join a community is the feeling of being excluded, right?
Unless you’re joining with a partner that can workout with you every single day, there are times when you might feel lonely or left out when working out at the gym. It’s just the way that it is.
If you’re okay with that, great. If not, it might be time to reconsider spending money at a place that you know you’re going to feel out of place at.
Gyms offer you the ability to use equipment that you might never be able to otherwise
The great part about joining a gym is that you’re opening up your workout regimen to use the equipment and develop skills that you might not be able to elsewhere.
Instead of spending a bunch of money to create your own home gym, you can easily pay a monthly fee to go to a gym where it’s all there and ready for you. Some people like this option because they don’t have space in their home for big bulky equipment or they don’t like the fact that they have to invest so much money upfront in such a big chunk.
With a gym membership, you can break it down into a monthly payment that is affordable for you and your budget.
So, there you have it. Some pros and cons of why you should consider joining a gym or saving your money and working out on your own instead.
What it really comes down to is to find out what motivates you to live a more healthy and active life. If you feel motivated by the gym, that just might be the simple answer that you’re looking for!
What do you say? Should you pay for a gym membership or save your money instead?
