(WellnessPursuits.com) – Do you pay out about $500 a year for a gym membership, give or take? That’s the average. And, believe it or not, only about half of all members go to the gym regularly, even though they pay their fees each and every month.
This means they’re not getting their money’s worth from their gym. Even if you do go all the time, you may not be getting as much good out of your memberships as you think. In fact, your gym may not be good for you at all. Here are 4 signs it may be time to reevaluate where you’re working out.
Grimy Facilities
You don’t want to climb onto a sweaty, grimy machine. That’s gross! But it’s more than gross; it could make you sick. Gym equipment can be covered with staph bacteria, fungal spores that cause infections, viruses and fecal matter. That’s right! A little over half of gym users claim that they’ve seen people go to the restroom and not wash their hands before working out. If your gym facilities are grimy, you could get sick.
Too Crowded
It’s very hard to work out in a crowded gym. Lines for machinery, no space to spread out and crowded classrooms can make your workout less than ideal. They may even prevent it from happening at all. Sure, there are ways you can get a successful workout in at a busy gym — use less popular equipment, go during slow times and workout without weights or equipment — but you won’t get the workout you deserve. If you continuously have issues with your busy gym, it may be time to look for a new one.
Broken Machinery
Machines break now and then. That’s a fact of life. But you can also fix them. If your gym constantly has broken machinery that seems to remain broken for excessive amounts of time, they’re not taking care of things properly. They may not even be servicing and monitoring equipment for possible problems, which could put you at risk for injury.
The Wrong Personal Instructors
Great personal trainers and class instructors all have several things in common. They are knowledgeable and have your best interests in mind. They believe in you and track your progress, offering tweaks to your exercise regimen and diet as necessary. They care about you!
Be on the lookout for personal instructors who are underqualified and lack the proper certification. Not only should they be properly trained, they should also be supportive of your weight loss goals. There are also a lot of self-absorbed instructors out there, and you should avoid them. If your instructor is more interested in their form, their personal life or what’s left in their teeth after lunch than they are about you, it’s time for a change.
If you think your gym is not good for you, it’s time for a change. Start looking for a new gym today, and be sure to check those reviews. Also, look for a gym that offers a free pass or trial period. Go several times before making your decision. Remember, first impressions are not always correct. Any gym can have problems that are not evident at first.
~Here’s to Your Healthy Pursuits!
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