From this NY Times article Full-Service Gyms Feel a Bit Flabby:
“Up to 45 percent of fitness-club members quit going in any given year, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association [IHRSA].”
And this
“Up until the last six years, it’s been relatively easy to sell memberships, and to replace people going out the back door with people coming through the front door.”
It is nice to have full service clubs will all the bells and whistles, but most people only utilize a small part of all the clubs have to offer. Worst still, with all they have to offer, most people fail to use the facility with any regularity. At the end of the year the only thing lighter is their wallet. According to IHRSA only 30 percent use their club memberships on a regular basis. For many health clubs end up being collection agencies disguised as health clubs.
A better plan that you can stick to for years:
- Do something you enjoy. You more likely stick to it. Ride a bike, golf, swim run, or (fill in the blank). I take my dog on long walks. I am never bored, and I always look forward to it.
- Make modest changes in your eating habits. Follow an eating plan that you can stick to. You burn about 150 calories for each mile you cover. You can run a mile or eat three less Oreos. I choose to eat three less Oreos.
- Strength train. It will help with #2 above - it will boost your metabolism. Strength training is also good for #1 – you’ll be able to do those things you enjoy longer, better, and with less chance of injury.
Choose a strength training program that is effective, efficient, and safe. High Intensity Training (HIT) for strength does not require a big chunk of your time, the improvement you see will likely motivate you to stick to it, and it is safe. HIT is the type of training we use at Austin Fitness Training and atNew Orleans Fitness Trainers. We can guide you through a personal training program that will enable you to get more out of less time exercisingand keep improving.