Investing in a gym membership is a great way to force yourself to exercise – you’re paying the money so you should use the service. Is it necessary? No. You could work out at home and get great results too, but you will need to keep yourself motivated. Is it worth it, though? Yes. You have a variety of exercise machines, access to health experts and a crowd of like-minded, health-orientated people around you.
But a gym is definitely a luxury item, especially at the price.
The cons
It is all very well to get a membership because you have the desire to get fit and fabulous, but when you get there, performance anxiety may occur. It can be intimidating to be surrounded by people who look at optimum fitness, and you’re only a beginner.
In a worst-case scenario, the contract goes to waste, and you end up fighting to get out of it and get your money back. So to fulfil your gym workout dreams, you have to go with the mindset that you’re going to get your money’s worth.
According to The South African, you should go for a brisk walk around the block, buy some kettlebells for under an R100 or get a yoga mat and some resistance bands before you decide that the gym is where you want to be – for the camaraderie and the encouragement to go the extra kilometre on the treadmill or add one more kilogram to the strengthening apparatus.
And of course, there’s the glow you’ll get when your trainer pats you on the back for reaching your goals, whether it is losing another few centimetres off the belly, the upper arms, the hips and the thighs – or just feeling better and more confident about yourself.
It’s up to you to decide what suits your exercise equipment needs, health and fitness goals, mindset and above all, your pocket. The type of contract you choose will determine whether costs will be R100 or R600 a month.
Read the fine print carefully before signing up with a gym.
Your options in SA are:
- Viva Gym in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth or Pretoria;
- Planet Fitness;
- Zone Fitness;
- Just Gym,
- or the most popular Virgin Active, which has many options with unique perks to choose from.
You can also find out if your medical aid or medical insurance offers a discount on membership to selective gyms.
The incentives
Home workouts using online coaches like Vahva Fitness or Katnap, or just using your home equipment to work out for a certain amount of time every day works for many people.
But for some, the range of equipment you can use at the gym is a great bonus.
According to Smashingfifty.com, regular exercise means that you can be fitter with great skin; stronger with more flexibility, and have boundless energy! Exercise raises endorphins and testosterone. Cultivate the habit to show up for about 60 minutes every day and work those reps and circuits.
Some of the benefits of exercise are:
- Regular workouts improve cardio and strength training. Overall wellbeing generally includes preventing osteoporosis besides lowering your risk of heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Getting assistance from a trainer on how to get the maximum benefit from the machines and classes on offer such as spinning, yoga, tai chi, step or aerobics, ballet, swimming or Crossfit
- Increases your chances of getting fit because you’re meeting the 150 to 300 minutes of exercise a week in a gym community.
- Increases levels of energy and alertness
- Physical activity and strength training help to reduce hip and back pain
- Improves balance and flexibility the more you stretch and strengthen your muscles
- Improves your physique the more your exercise and eat the proper food, the greater the weight loss and the better the posture
- Being consistently motivated and strengthens your resolve and commitment to get fit
- Creation of positive habits and the breaking of bad habits that keep you from attaining your potential in every sphere of your life
Stress-Free!
- By exercising more, your sleep is improved to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
- Feeling much better with the exercise, you get to drink your required amount of water a day, and you make wiser food choices.
- Greater mental focus and accuracy
- Mood follows action, the experts say. The hard work you put into exercising leads to the reward of increases in endorphin production which makes you feel on top of the world
- By improving circulation and blood flow, waste and free radicals are removed from your cells, and thus glowing skin is the outcome.
- Improves your digestive health, which is harmed by anxiety, depression and being sedentary
- Improves metabolism and burns more calories
- Strengthening exercises retain muscle mass which is usually depleted as you age.
Making the best choice for you
If you don’t want the hassle of packing all the gear for the gym then stay at home, stream an exercise class to join and save money. However, if you have the extra cash, and time, invest it into your fitness and find a gym that is the right fit for you.
Whichever way you choose, keep up the momentum to attain glowing health and fitness.
The Medical Society
As a member of the Medical Society, you need not worry about access to safe and hygienic healthcare for you and your children.
The Medical Society offers assistance in many facets of health and development and many more available services at all Medical Society facilities.
