New to the Gym? 5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Gym Membership

Credit: Jhong Dizon | Photography, Flickr

Joining a gym is a big deal. I know because it took me forever to actually join one that I had to pay for. Up until the point that I made that commitment, I’d almost always had gym access somewhere for free — an apartment gym, my university, my husband’s job or a fitness hookup. So I had to carefully weigh the decision. Was it worth it? Would I use it enough to be worth the money? Would it be convenient? Luckily for me, my gym is super close, is in a really pretty area, and the childcare helps me both work out and actually work (yay for Wi-fi and a nice cafe!).

So I totally get that joining a gym is a huge step. It’s a financial commitment, not to mention that if you’ve never belonged to a gym before, it can be a little intimidating. That’s why Philadelphia’s SWEAT Fitness is sharing its tips today on getting the most out of your gym to help your resolutions (or goals!) stick.

5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Gym Membership

1. Convenience. Choose a gym close to your home or office — or one that gives you access to multiple convenient locations. (Sweat Fitness members get unlimited access to eight city and suburban locations.) Consider signing up with a friend or partner so you can be gym buddies and hold yourselves accountable. Also be certain to develop a realistic gym schedule. Don’t vow to be at a Wednesday morning 5 a.m. cycling class if you aren’t a morning person — set yourself up for success!

2. Prepare. Be sure to set up a tour of your new facility and, if your budget allows for it, schedule some personal training sessions. Most gyms offer at least one PT session for free. This will familiarize you with your gym and give you a go-to workout to help you reach your goals. Be sure to also wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel if your gym doesn’t have towel service. Don’t forget your music to  help you get through your workout.

3. Look seasoned. There are some standard rules of etiquette to follow while at the gym. Be sure to limit your time on cardio machines if there is a wait; 30 minutes is a good rule of thumb. When you are done with the treadmill — or any machine — wipe it down. You might be thrilled with the sweat pouring out of you, but chances are, the person using the machine after you isn’t.

4. Relax. This is not the time to be intimidated. A lot of people are new to the gym, especially this time of year. If something like a new class makes you nervous, show up early. This way you can set up and ask the instructor any questions before the class begins. SWEAT helps new members break into classes by informing the instructor a newbie is only planning on staying for the first 10 minutes of the class. That way, if they need to leave there is nothing to be embarrassed about, it’s expected, and if they decide to stick it out, all the better!

5. Feedback. Make the most of your membership. If your club is missing a favorite class, piece of equipment or something is not up to par, let them know. Your happiness and fitness journey should be their number one number-one goal. Likewise, if you have questions about anything, always hit up the staff to pick their brains. That’s their job!

Do you belong to a gym? How did you overcome the intimidation factor? —Erin