The Gym – A Life Long Commitment?

We all know how important it is get fit and healthy, we’re flooded with such messages every day. And for those who want to do something about achieving these fitness dreams but don’t want to play a sport, joining the gym is the obvious answer. Many people have joined the gym in a hope to lead a better lifestyle, not realising they’re signing themselves up to a lifelong contract.

I’m not saying this is a bad thing, I’m just saying people should realise you have to keep it up if they want to see lasting results from the gym. As the saying goes, “If you don’t use it you lose it”. You can go to the gym for months on end to achieve the perfect beach body, a festive period come along and all your hard work get ruined.

If you enjoy going to the gym this won’t really matter. Even with other sports like football and tennis, you have to keep playing otherwise you’d eventually lose ‘it’. The difference is that most people that get into sports enjoy the game so don’t mind doing it week in week out for years. People that join the gym generally join because they want to get fit, and may not have the same commitment levels during certain periods of the year. This isn’t true for everyone of course, some people love going to the gym as much as others love their favourite sport.

So what about the people who want to get fit with the gym but may not have the motivation to go on a regular basis? Well, you have to make it fun. Set yourself challenges and timed goals to achieve, and keep track of how well you’re doing. If you go through a bad spell and lose your base fitness don’t get de-motivated, accept it happens and get back to achieving your goals. Failing that, try and remember why you’re there in the first place.

Going to the gym can be beneficial in getting your health and fitness up, just remember, to keep the results you have to be in for the long haul.