Is a Professional Gym Right for You?
Kim Archer
Gyms can offer pretty amazing benefits, both psychological and practical. However, take care to keep a few things in mind before you sign up for one.
There aren't many people who could purchase gym equipment without feeling the pinch. One would need multi-station weight machines, rowing machines, treadmills and stretching bars, to name just some of the items that are available in a well-equipped gym.
Several gyms offer swimming pools, rock climbing walls, and saunas, as well as racquetball, tennis, squash and Jai Lai courts. Jai Lai is an action-filled game originating in Spain that is played on a court similar to that used for racquetball. The racquet used for this game is curved.
Unless you're a multi-millionaire you couldn't begin to duplicate the space or the gear available at a professional gym.
Then there's the expertise you'll find at a gym - both from the trainers and the other members. Gyms frequently have professional trainers on staff that can answer just about any question you have. They provide weight-training guidance, health tips and even dietary advice.
In some cases, gym members can be more knowledgeable than the professionals. If people are dedicated to their fitness programs, they often take the time and effort to study everything they need to know to get their own training in optimal shape. At a gym, you'll find aerobics instructors, medical doctors and "mainstream" fitness fanatics among its clients.
Besides access to proper gear and a whole body of specialized knowledge, gyms provide people with a chance to interact - this is good because exercise routines can be quite dull. Talking to your neighbor while you both are working out is certainly more stimulating than mindlessly staring at a TV.
So you gain friends at the gym, who will egg you on when you tire, and motivate you when you are dispirited. No one is likely to do this for you if you're working out at home!
However, gyms do have certain disadvantages.
Gym membership can be expensive. Most offer different payment plans - per visit, per month, per year or lifetime. Per visit is usually pricey, though it might be a good option if you're just visiting a city. Per month is often the best value, but prices can still be between $30 and $300 per month. Many will offer a trial membership, either free or at a reduced rate for the first month.
Of course, no price is a good deal if you don't go. And going to the gym can begin to seem like just one more duty among more pressing obligations. Many people in contemporary society lead extremely busy lives and finding time to go to the gym may well end up near the bottom of a long list.
In addition, gyms can be messy. Most gym members are very conscientious about their own hygiene habits and wipe down their own equipment, but if you use a piece of equipment after someone who hasn't, it can be extremely unpleasant. If the gym's staff is alert to this type of behavior, it can become a very rare occurrence. Look for a gym with staff that's on the ball and that cares about its clientele.
It can also be unhealthy to go to a gym. When you mingle with a lot of people in a hot and humid atmosphere, colds and other types of airborne disease can spread quickly, such as the flu or other viruses. It's particularly easy to catch something in showers, since you usually have to touch controls, and someone else who has been ill may also touch them.
It's a matter of personal choice when it comes to deciding on a gym. It's sensible to examine all the advantages and disadvantages before taking a call on this, and also to try out several gyms until you find the one that's right for you.
About the Author:
Kim Archer writes about women's wellness. She is publisher of The Internet Spa, where you'll find up-to-date information to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.
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