Three Reasons Not to Join a Gym or Health Club

By Harold Baldwin
So you're considering going a gym or health club? Want to get in shape, lose weight, be healthier, or likely all of the above? As an admitted gym junkie, I once belonged to three at once and I love working out in the gym, but it's not for everyone. However there have also I have not belonged to a gym or health club for an extended period of time for example right now. Guess what? I'm still in pretty good shape and relatively trim too! Before you join consider these three reasons not to.

1) You won't exercise in public.
Some people simply are not comfortable exercising in public. You may be just starting out and eventually become comfortable, or perhaps, like my father, never ever want to exercise in public. If so, a membership is not for you. My sister joined a club, and went a few times but really wasn't comfortable with the concept of sweating in public for example. It's the same with my father as he enjoys privacy and they are very public areas!

2) You hate working out indoors.
I have a couple of friends who will run in snowstorms and bike in downpours happily, but don't like to work out indoors. The thought of working our indoors doesn't bother them much, but actually doing it does. If you hate working out indoors a membership is probably not for you, although some do have outdoors workout facilities as well, even here in New Hampshire. At least during the summer. During the winter you might find a place that will let you pay by the month with no membership fee if outdoors is too rough for you.

3) There is no where convenient and you don't have time to travel back and forth.
If you're very tight on time and the nearest gym is too far away, perhaps 20 or 40 minutes drive each way, it simply may make no sense. You might just be better off with a home gym setup. That is a lot of time to waste that you could be spending working out, or even sleeping!

Working out in a gym or health club is not for everyone. Despite pressures from friends, relatives, or co-workers, they may not be appropriate for you at all. Consider the three points above before signing any contracts. Fortunately many places will let you work out for a daily fee to check them out. Trying out one a few times may give you some valuable insight.