We’ve all been there. You signed up for a gym membership, likely as your New Year resolution, with high hopes of getting fit and healthy, but your enthusiasm fizzled out. Before you rush to sell your gym membership, don’t, give it a second chance first! In this article, we’ll share some tips and tricks on how to stay motivated and make the most of your membership.
Set Realistic Goals
A lot of us want to have a body like Chris Hemsworth or Gal Gadot’s, but let’s be real, you don’t need to look like them to be healthy. Even if you do just want to look like them for the aesthetics, it takes a lot of time, effort and dedication to get there. Breaking your fitness goal down to smaller, more manageable goals, and celebrate each small milestones along the way is what will keep you going. Make sure to track your progress, if you’re lifting more weight or doing more reps, it’s progress. So don’t sell your gym membership just because you haven’t been able to get the six pack you wanted.
Find a Workout Buddy
One of the reasons why CrossFit is popular is because group exercise promotes physical wellness and encourages an even bigger mental boost. This also why many fitness programs are done in groups, such as spin classes. Having a workout buddy is like having a personal cheerleader that will cheer you on, and going to the gym becomes more of a social event than just a grind. Find a friend that shares your fitness goals and hold each other accountable for showing up to the gym.
Mix It Up
Doing the same thing over and over again can be boring, so if your gym routine is starting to feel like Groundhog Day, mix it up! Try a new workout routine, a workout class, hop on a different machine, or switch up your playlist to keep things interesting. This is also another reason why CrossFit is popular, it’s because CrossFit incorporates so many different kinds of workout. Also, if there’s a sport that you enjoy, try workout routines designed specifically to improve your performance for the sport.
Reward Yourself
Cheat days are important. I can’t remember exactly who said this, but someone once said that the reason why he works out is so that he can eat whatever he wants and still be able to stay in shape. As long as you’re working out and pushing yourself, you’ll either be gaining muscle or burning fat regardless of caloric surplus or deficit, provided that you consume enough protein. Even if your body composition doesn’t change, your cardiovascular health is likely to improve. So go ahead and set up a reward system for when you reach your fitness goals, whether it’s eating your favourite food, buying a new workout outfit or treating yourself to a massage.
Conclusion
Before you give up your gym membership, remember that getting fit and healthy is a journey, not a sprint. By setting realistic goals, finding a workout buddy, mixing up your routine and rewarding yourself, you can stay motivated and get fit, or at the very least, stay healthy. So, don’t sell your gym membership just yet, give it a second chance! However, if you do decide that you no longer need it, check out our article on what to do with unused gym membership.