We live in a society obsessed with body image. As a result, gym memberships have become a staple purchase for many American consumers. The prevailing trend is to assume that all gyms are the same. While it is true that many gyms offer similar services, not all of them really meet the needs of consumers. There are several things to consider before investing in a gym membership.
First, and perhaps most importantly, is the location. If the gym you’ve selected is far from where you normally spend your time, it reduces the chances of you going there. The club or gym you join should be within a reasonably comfortable commute of where you live. There are times when even going to the gym can be a struggle, why make it harder by choosing a gym that is further away?
Second, and perhaps just as important as the first, are the opening times. All gyms have their opening hours. Be sure to research them to make sure their opening hours match a schedule you can follow. For those with erratic work schedules, a 24-hour gym may be right for you. Other people with a fixed schedule can opt for more traditional opening hours. At the end of the day, be realistic about your planned gym visits. This ensures consistency, which is the key to results.
Third, what services does the gym offer? While most gyms offer similar equipment, not all of them have enough space for specialties. Do you think swimming is important? Then look for a gym with a swimming pool. Another point to consider is whether or not fitness classes are available. Many people choose to participate in these classes to build a basic fitness level.
No Gym, No Problem: Five Reasons gym membership in Burnley Necessary for Physical Excellence
Just a few years ago, I would have found my own statement utterly bizarre. He was an avid gym goer and head personal trainer. Daily he preached the benefits of regular gym visits, cardio sessions and frequent weight training days. The world of the gym was like a second home to me and it has been part of my routine since childhood. This environment has fueled my own passion for health, fitness, nutrition and general wellness. However, I started noticing trends and behaviors that eventually opened my eyes to why a gym isn’t practical or necessary for most fitness goals. Read on for the top five reasons a gym can keep you from reaching your fitness goals.
1. Most fitness equipment is not effective at burning body fat.
The biggest draw of a typical corporate style gym is the cardio equipment. In fact, this is what most will pay for (be it cardio equipment or classes). Either way, most cardio classes and equipment are formatted and designed for LISS (Low Intensity, Steady State) cardio activity. While this is a big draw for gym goers, the reality is that it is not an effective method of burning body fat. In fact, studies show that long LISS workouts are more likely to burn muscle (muscle catabolism) than body fat. Of course you will lose weight over time with long, boring sessions on the treadmill, but this is mainly due to a combination of fat and muscle loss.
There is an unfortunate term used in the exercise world for cardio addicts. That’s “lean fat”. Frankly, it describes the true exercise physiology of what endurance activity does for the average human. If a person has more body fat to lose or may have a pear-shaped body, running, cycling, walking or swimming usually reduces the pear shape to a smaller pear. Without optimal muscle building exercises, a person’s physique has an extremely difficult time promoting change. Basically, prolonged aerobic activity, with little or no rest, creates an environment that burns body fat for a while, but switches to muscle as a fuel source. Basically, think about the physique of distance runners compared to sprinters. Not everyone may look like a sprinter, but the science is the same. For optimal fat loss and muscle growth (redefining physique) add H.I.I.T.
As an aside, I know that one of the biggest myths that keeps most women from doing strength training and the physique of their dreams is the belief that strength training will make a woman big and bulky. This great misconception is completely false. Even under the most ideal circumstances, men struggle to achieve this state, and men have a natural advantage in this end result (men naturally produce higher volumes of the hormone testosterone). Plus, strength training can serve any fitness goal, but to achieve the big, bulky bodybuilder look, you need to train in a regimen of hypertrophy, focus, and strength development. This is usually accompanied by periods of sluggishness; heavy repetitions and can take years to produce substantial growth in males. Of course, if women train in this way, they are at a disadvantage for this purpose because of hormones and other physiological factors. There are a number of strength training regimens that promote the gradual growth of lean muscle (body change) and optimal reduction of body fat. Read on for more information.
2. Weights are not the only/best way to build strength.
The biggest draw of a typical corporate style gym is the cardio equipment. In fact, this is what most will pay for (be it cardio equipment or classes). Either way, most cardio classes and equipment are formatted and designed for LISS (Low Intensity, Steady State) cardio activity. While this is a big draw for gym goers, the reality is that it is not an effective method of burning body fat. In fact, studies show that long LISS workouts are more likely to burn muscle (muscle catabolism) than body fat. Of course you will lose weight over time with long, boring sessions on the treadmill, but this is mainly due to a combination of fat and muscle loss.
There is an unfortunate term used in the exercise world for cardio addicts. That’s “lean fat”. Frankly, it describes the true exercise physiology of what endurance activity does for the average human. If a person has more body fat to lose or may have a pear-shaped body, running, cycling, walking or swimming usually reduces the pear shape to a smaller pear. Without optimal muscle building exercises, a person’s physique has an extremely difficult time promoting change. Basically, prolonged aerobic activity, with little or no rest, creates an environment that burns body fat for a while, but switches to muscle as a fuel source. Basically, think about the physique of distance runners compared to sprinters. Not everyone may look like a sprinter, but the science is the same. For optimal fat loss and muscle growth (redefining physique) add H.I.I.T.
As an aside, I know that one of the biggest myths that keeps most women from doing strength training and the physique of their dreams is the belief that strength training will make a woman big and bulky. This great misconception is completely false. Even under the most ideal circumstances, men struggle to achieve this state, and men have a natural advantage in this end result (men naturally produce higher volumes of the hormone testosterone). Plus, strength training can serve any fitness goal, but to achieve the big, bulky bodybuilder look, you need to train in a regimen of hypertrophy, focus, and strength development.
One of the biggest myths in the gym world is the misconception that weight gain is needed to gain strength. Gymnasts, on the other hand, are some of the strongest pound-for-pound athletes and their training regimen consists mainly of bodyweight movements. Bodyweight movements can be manipulated into beginner, intermediate and advanced level exercises that require a large amount of total body strength, power, core stability and balance. Plus, you’ll burn more calories with moves like plyometrics and general exercises.