More than likely, you’ve either thought about a gym membership at one point or another or you are a member at a local gym where you go to workout. There are reason’s you chose the gym that you did. Maybe it is because it had a pool and you wanted to include swimming laps as part of your aerobic exercise. Maybe it is because there is tanning and massage included in the gym membership. After all, going to the gym is about looking and feeling your best, right? But what is the dirty truth about the gym that all of us don’t seem to realize?
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You’re Comfortable
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday it is a cardio day and Tuesday and Thursdays are leg day. Chances are you do your routine every week the same as you would your morning routine and your bedtime routine. STOP– That is right. You heard me. Stop doing your routine as if it were the end of the world.
Mix it up, try something new. I bet you that you have never seen the “other side” of the gym. You have probably never used the $4000 stair stepper machine or maybe you’ve never used the tennis courts. Try something new to get the most of your gym membership.
Don’t waste it on your same old song and dance when you could discover new ways to workout and get fit. The truth is, you’re comfortable and you need to get out of your comfort zone.
No One Cares What You Look Like
You know those women that go to the gym that wear the teeny tiny little sports bra and cheeky shorts? You know the men that don’t wear a shirt and have the tight compression shorts? The ones that wear it specifically for looks, not for comfort or ease of use. You know who you are…
But this goes both ways– If you’re uncomfortable with your body or feel out of your element, know that no one cares what you look like. Gym goers don’t go to the gym to look at other people or make fun of those that aren’t on their fitness level.
The only ones that care what you look like are trainers and that is only if you’re utilizing them to make your workout more sufficient. The truth is, everyone is there for the same reason– to get in shape, stay in shape, or make a difference. Don’t worry about what others think.
The Smell
We hear all about how the gym smells like body odor– How the smelly guy on the third treadmill from the left makes it smell or the smell of dirty feet in the locker room that constantly seems to linger. The truth is, the smell is from the build-up of sweat and funk that comes from exercising.
The smell isn’t a fresh thing. It’s the build-up of bacteria and germs that make up the smell of the gym. Sad thing is, those little sani-wipes are not going to do much. Sure they will clean the surface, but the mats where the weights are, are engaged heavily with the filth.
Don’t let anyone tell you that a gym is clean, but don’t be afraid of the bacteria. Be smart on how to aid yourself in not contracting any infections. If you’ve got open wounds, make sure that they can be covered. Make sure that you keep it dry and clean. Don’t ever shower without shower shoes as you don’t want to contract athletes foot. Don’t reuse gym clothes or towels until they’ve been washed.
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Go at the Off Times
“I don’t like working out with a lot of people around”– Everyone.
While you don’t like working out with a ton of people, neither does the next person. No one wants to fight over machines or wait in line to use the “fast lap” lane in the pool. Often times the answer will be, “go at the off times”. Truth is, there isn’t an off time at the gym. The gym has one mode and one mode only– Busy. Unless you are a member at a bare minimum gym, those clean gyms with all the perks are going to be the spot to go to workout.
In reality, working out with others may give you tips on how you can make your workout more efficient, but if you really don’t like working around other people, try going during the night are super early in the morning. Chances are, most people will be sleeping during the night or getting ready for work in the morning.
Your Health isn’t Worth the Price
$40 a month is a pretty steep price to pay when you’re already paying for other bills– It’s easy to pay for dinner out every Wednesday night, but that $40 a month for your health just isn’t worth it. The truth is, it really is. While you may not want to spend the initiation price and the monthly fee, your body will thank you if you pay the price and get your butt to the gym.
Think about it, $40 a month equals around $500 a year. Most insurances don’t even have a deductible that low anymore. If you go to the gym and eat healthily, you’ll more than likely be the cure to yourself rather than a doctor prescribing you meds to fix it.
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The Truth Is
While you may have had all these thoughts and questions about the gym that left it in a negative connotation, in reality, you just have to use gym smarts. Don’t let what you hear about the gym deter yours from getting fit. The truths that we have told you or turned you on to will change your gym world. Don’t be afraid to hit the gym, to work out to your hardest potential, and certainly don’t be afraid to do it for you.
