Joining a gym... again

judgefudge

So I've been thinking recently, that I'd like to start running. But then it was pointed out to me that its not exactly a great time of year for that, considering that all of the hours I am out of work it is now dark. Its also icy in the mornings. So my next great idea was to join a gym.

I've been a member of several gyms in my time but I only really successfully attended one when I was in my teens (24 now). I'm considering going back to that gym now. I'm a student and I don't have much money though so I really don't want to throw my money away. Is it likely that, having failed before at attending a gym regularly, I will fail to attend again?

Would I be better off to try running or some other form of exercise and see if I stick with that for a while, or will I have a better shot with a gym membership? I was looking at the likes of curves gym but I think its probably worth it to actually pay for a membership in a real gym (no offense to curves members).

Any advice?

Burkatron

judgefudge wrote: »

So I've been thinking recently, that I'd like to start running. But then it was pointed out to me that its not exactly a great time of year for that, considering that all of the hours I am out of work it is now dark. Its also icy in the mornings. So my next great idea was to join a gym.

I've been a member of several gyms in my time but I only really successfully attended one when I was in my teens (24 now). I'm considering going back to that gym now. I'm a student and I don't have much money though so I really don't want to throw my money away. Is it likely that, having failed before at attending a gym regularly, I will fail to attend again?

Would I be better off to try running or some other form of exercise and see if I stick with that for a while, or will I have a better shot with a gym membership? I was looking at the likes of curves gym but I think its probably worth it to actually pay for a membership in a real gym (no offense to curves members).

Any advice?

You need to honestly ask yourself do you think you'll stick the gym or will you become the type of member the big chains love that pays their cash but barely if at all shows up!

Pick a few classes,e.g circuits, TRX, Kettlebells in a couple of different places (if you have the options) & see if you enjoy any of them. Enjoyment is a massive part of the battle!

judgefudge

I guess the problem I've had in the past was that I was mainly attending to use the pool. The last place I went to was so packed that I could barely swim up and down comfortably. It didn't even seem to matter what time of day I went at. So thats really why I stopped going.

I've never actually joined a gym before to use the gym part, I've always kind of been more into the swimming side of things.

Is it possible to gauge how busy a gym is before you get a membership? Lots of people around and waiting for machines and things probably would make me lose interest...

Obviously right now I feel like I would attend. Thats always the case at the start right? :roll eyes:

Or any tips on motivation?

tmc86

As you're a student then can I presume your timetable for the week is flexible enough i.e. you could set aside gym time during the day or evening? Whatever time you think that you'd be most likely to go to the gym, book a viewing appointment for that time so you can see how busy it is.

Burkatron is right, pick some of the classes. The instructor will help to keep you motivated as will the different mix of exercises that you can do.

Also don't throw yourself into it at the start. Just kick off with a couple of casusal sessions and go when you can. If you try and go as often as you can at the start then you're more likely to lose motivation.

Saying that once you've reached a fitness level that you're happy with, I find it harder to not go as much as I can and take proper rest days!

Burkatron

judgefudge wrote: »

I guess the problem I've had in the past was that I was mainly attending to use the pool. The last place I went to was so packed that I could barely swim up and down comfortably. It didn't even seem to matter what time of day I went at. So thats really why I stopped going.

I've never actually joined a gym before to use the gym part, I've always kind of been more into the swimming side of things.

Is it possible to gauge how busy a gym is before you get a membership? Lots of people around and waiting for machines and things probably would make me lose interest...

Obviously right now I feel like I would attend. Thats always the case at the start right? :roll eyes:

Or any tips on motivation?

Énergie fitness will give you a 5 day pass so if you're near 1 you can always scope it out! Other chains do similar I'd assume. Where are you based so people can reccomend somewhere? Does your college not have a gym??

judgefudge

Thanks for the replies! I'm a postgrad student but I'm not based in an actual university and I generally work 8-6 so it's really actually not that flexible anymore

I'm in the Kildare area, I was thinking of going back to the Killashee gym because I liked it the first time, I haven't been a member in 7 or 8 years though.

The student prices aren't so bad, 99 for 3 months. I was looking at classes alright, I think that would be a pretty good idea thanks!

I would have thought getting in a routine where I go at the same time every weekday morning or something would help to keep going regularly, but you reckon I should go less?

tmc86

judgefudge wrote: »

The student prices aren't so bad, 99 for 3 months.

This is a good idea too - join for 3 months and see how you get on. No point committing to a 1 year membership and then not using it after a couple of months.

Also since you know that you only have the 3 months you'll be more likely not to waste it!