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The Pros and Cons of Working Out at the Local Gym: Is a Fitness Club Membership Right for You?

By HealthLife Contributor
Writer
Updated: August 23, 2008
So you have decided to become more dedicated to your fitness for some reason or another. Perhaps you made a New Year's resolution to yourself to get into better shape. Perhaps you just had a baby and want to shed some of those extra pounds. Perhaps that desk job is attacking your midsection. For whatever reason you have decided to get into shape, that is the first part—the hardest part—of getting into shape. The only thing about this new resolution that you have made is deciding how to go about your fitness as there are many ways to do so; fitness classes, gym memberships, home exercise equipment make up a few of the many choices you have. Although working out at a gym is highly recommended for many reasons, that is not always as easy for some as it is for others.

But Everybody's WATCHING

A fitness membership is not as easy for some as it is for others. If you are like many ladies and gentlemen out there your fitness goals are private; who wants to be watched while they exercise? The same goes with eating; you don't like people staring down your throat while you have your dinner, do you? If you are not comfortable with people seeing you exercise then a fitness club workout is probably not the best idea for you. In this case, consider an exercise class where people are too engaged to care about you or looking into one fabulous piece of equipment for your home!
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I Can't Make the Time

If you work a 9 to 5 job and the gym closes at 7, that is probably not going to work for you, right? In this case you can either find another gym (if possible), work out on your lunch hour (again—if possible), or find another alternative. The local YMCA often holds classes and they have a workout room, so they are an option although a bit more of an expensive one. The local community college may grant you access to their facilities or you can take an exercise class through them in the evenings.

Motivation Through Others' Success

One of the great things about working out at a health club is the fact that you can see other people around you getting into better shape everyday. Sure it may make you feel terrible about your tummy at first, but it is a great motivator as well! You would be surprised how much more you will want to go to the gym when you see that people who go with you are actually benefiting from their attendance!

A Great Way
to Get Out

If you have kids or a nagging husband or even a pesky dog to worry about while you are at home, you may find yet another way the gym can benefit you—less distraction. Sure there are people to talk to and socialize with, but that is in the context of getting fit. Not only will you get out of the house more and stay away from the bed that calls you every time you jump on the treadmill, but you can get some much needed time away from the irritations of home as well.

As you can see, going to the gym to exercise is not for everyone. There are alternatives, but the health club offers benefits that many of these alternatives do not. Is working out at a gym the best way for you to get into shape?
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