We all know exercise is an integral part of living a healthy lifestyle. Today I want to talk about the top reasons to workout at the gym. I know getting to the gym does not always fit into a busy schedule, but there are certainly some benefits to making the trip.
I can tell you from experience that gyms can be intimidating and expensive. But there really are some great reasons to workout at a gym. So, with that said, let’s get right to it.
Contents
Equipment
This is the most obvious benefit of owning a gym membership. A gym will have all the equipment you need, and then some. Pretty much any gym you walk into will have at least the essential equipment to work out all the major muscle groups.
Some boutique gyms will have freaky specialized equipment you didn’t even know existed. I have seen some gym equipment that I had to look up to see what it is used for.
The equipment is a huge benefit and a significant reason why people workout at the gym. Working out at home is excellent and all, but if you want lots of equipment, or if your goal is to put on a lot of muscle, a gym is your best bet.
Group fitness classes
Yup, this is another reason people spend money on a gym membership. If yoga, boot camp, or spin class is your jam, you will find a variety of classes offered at most gyms.
Group fitness has become such a big deal in recent years, and there are a lot of different types of classes offered in most gyms. Group classes provide you not only a good workout but the opportunity to meet other workout warriors.
Classes are a great way to get in shape or help you break through a plateau. Maybe you just need a break from lifting weights and want to add some variety to your routine, a group fitness class is a great way to do that.
Some gyms include classes in your membership, while others have different tiers of memberships that include classes. When you are choosing a gym membership, make sure you mix in some group training if you think you will use it.
Trainers
What’s a gym without trainers? There are many advantages to a workout at the gym with a personal trainer.
A trainer can help you achieve your fitness goals, whether it’s losing weight or building muscle, or maybe you just want to be able to keep up with your kids. No matter your goal, enlisting the help of a trainer can point you in the right direction.
Not sure where to start working out? If you are new to working out or new to the gym, you might not know where to start. This is a great benefit of exercising at the gym because there are resources to help you get started.
Gyms can be intimidating, and a trainer can get you going with a fitness plan and make the gym experience a little less scary.
Watch and learn
I have learned a lot over the years just by watching what other people are doing at the gym. The key to watching other people workout is not to be creepy about it, LOL. All kidding aside, there is nothing wrong with being curious and trying some new stuff. Gyms are a great place for workout inspiration.
When you work out at the gym, you have access to see a lot of other people exercising. You can see what other people are doing and give it a try. If you are looking for new exercises to add to your routine, just look around. When you are on a treadmill or exercise bike, take a peek around you and see what other people are doing.
Trying new exercises can help you in many ways. You can mix up your boring old routine and add something fresh. A new exercise can help you make gains if you are stuck in a rut.
Anyway, just take some time to watch and learn next time you are exercising at the gym.
Gets you out of the house
It is recommended that adults should get 2.5 hours of heart-pumping physical activity each week. Are you reaching this goal? Well, getting to the gym for a workout is going to help you get out of the house and do your body some good.
Getting out of the house is fantastic for many reasons. Life is stressful, with work, kids, family, and other obligations, things can get hectic. We don’t often take time for ourselves. Going to the gym, even if that means walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes, while you read a book is excellent for clearing your brain.
Sometimes we just need to get away from all the distractions. You can pick up the Legos and do the dishes later. You will most likely have more energy after having a good solid workout at the gym.
Don’t waste any more time, make sure you schedule some time to get out of the house and head to the gym. So get away from your kids and head to the gym. Maybe you will even make a new friend.
Variety
Are you stuck at home watching the same old workout videos? Okay, I might be dating myself a little bit here, most of the online workouts have a lot more content these days. Anyway, going to the gym for a workout can add some variety to your exercise routine.
No longer will you be limited by the equipment you have at home, or those outdated videos you keep watching over and over. With a workout at a gym, you have access to group fitness classes, a lot of equipment and a trainer to show you how to use everything.
You can add variety to your workout by trying different machines or taking a class. One of the big obstacles for people, speaking for myself anyway, is getting bored doing the same exercises over and over again. It’s easy to get burnt out.
Having a gym membership opens you up to a variety of activities to help you break through a plateau, or just add some spice to your fitness routine.
Other stuff
Many gyms have lots of other things like a hot tub, a pool, a sauna, etc. I know people who belong to a gym just so they can use the pool and soak in the hot tub. More expensive gyms have things like massage treatments, a salon to get your hair and nails done (for those who this applies to), tanning booths, and cafés.
Gyms aren’t just about stinky dudes grunting and pumping iron, sometimes they are a bit more civilized, and you can take that for what it’s worth.
Conclusion
There are a lot of reasons to workout at the gym. If you are looking for group fitness or lots of equipment, then this might be the right place for you.
Not everyone likes a gym atmosphere, and that is perfectly fine as well. As long as you are doing some form of exercise, that is the key. Be sure to check out my article here for the top reasons to workout at home if a gym is not your speed.