For the past few years, business has been booming in the fitness industry, and gyms have seen an influx of members that are running in looking to change their lives for the better. But is it really working out for them?
For the most part, gym memberships are a huge waste of money, especially with membership who aren’t already consistent before they buy in. According to statistics, 67% of gym memberships go unused. That means that two thirds of the people who are paying 30, 40 bucks a month, on top of expensive processing fees, are completely wasting their money.
Now I’m not going to say that gyms are a complete waste of money. Personally, I love them. Why? Because those 67% of people paying for memberships that they never use are funding my gym to be able to supply me with the service and the quality that I enjoy during my workouts. Yup, if you’re not putting use to your gym membership, then you’re paying for other people’s towel service, clean gym, and state of the art equipment.
So what is the purpose of the gym?
When you step foot in a gym, you are exposed to a huge selection of strange and peculiar workout machine. As someone who has over 10 years of experience in over a dozen gyms, about 30% of those machine are almost completely useless. Each of those machines cost $2000-3000, on average, to serve one purpose – mimic movements that your body is already capable of doing
So you’re telling me that all gym equipment is useless?
Yes and no. For the majority of the population, there’s nothing stopping you from performing amazing workouts all on your own. For example, the commonly found chest press machine is literally a push up movement while you’re sitting down. The leg press is a squat.
The only people who would truly benefit from gym equipment are: bodybuilders who have at least 6-9 months of existing strength training experience or people over 30% body fat who are starting out on a weight loss journey. Other than that, almost everyone would benefit greater from exercising with natural body movements.
So what should I be paying for?
I understand that this comes off a bit biased, but fitness instruction – a personal trainer that is. The purpose of a trainer is to develop high level programs that will cater to your specific needs. Someone who has had existing knee injuries will have to build leg strength and mobility through exercises difference than someone who is a young athlete with no history of injury. Someone who is starting off on their journey to weight loss can’t just jump into a bootcamp or group session without previous experience and strength.
At Gimme Fit, we are Arcadia Fitness Professionals who help design a program that is well suited for you. Maybe you want to lose a few pounds or just tone up your waist and legs to see better definition throughout your body. Maybe you need more energy so that you can spend more time with your kids. Maybe you are completely new to exercise and need to build up that confidence before you step foot into that bootcamp with your friend. Our mission is to improve your quality of life through fitness and nutrition. Because guess what? Fitness is about you.
So what’s the takeaway? Don’t waste money on a gym membership if you are new to fitness and exercise. Invest that money in a quality instructor or professional who will guide you and teach you the ways to achieve the goals you have.
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