Picture courtesy of www.localfitness.com.au

As I write this article, we are in the third week of January. Did you make a new year’s resolution?

Was it to get fit and lose weight? Did you decide to join a gym?

If you did join a gym, are you still going?

The reason I ask, is because you would be surprised at how many people join a gym and don’t actually go!

Research by Target Group Index (TGI) found that only 27% of gym members actually use their gym. This means that over 70% of gym memberships are unused. Madness!

There are two things that annoy me about gyms and gym members, and I am trying very hard not to get on my soapbox, but…..

Firstly, let me explain my annoyance at the gym owners.

They do not care one jot that you are not using the facilities you are paying for.

As each year begins, they offer promotions to get you to join, not caring about their current regular users. No, they don’t care if the gym is overcrowded and you are waiting around to get on a particular machine.

I appreciate they have a business to run, but surely they should do more for their existing customers. Or is the 12 month contract you signed enough of a profit for them?

Should they not be contacting members who have fallen by the wayside and asking is there anything they can do to help?

I even drafted a letter that any gym manager reading my rant can use freely.

Dear Dave

We have been checking our records, and find that you have not attended the gym for over 3 weeks now.

As you are paying extortionate fees to attend we thought we would see if we could help.

We have recently repaired the broken treadmills and the hot water is now flowing again.

We promise that if you do return, we will get one of our instructors to actually speak to you, even if you are not a young blonde female.

We will endeavour to make your visits as comfortable as possible and even ask about your progress once in a while.

One last thing we feel we should warn you about. We are sending this letter to all our members who, like you, have not been as good as they promised themselves. 

If half of them take us up on this offer of help, we will have 3,000 members in the gym at any one time, so you may have to wait a few minutes to get on any piece of equipment.

Yours Sincerely

Secondly, my annoyance with gym members.

This is not about the members who actually turn up and do their routine. That is another story.

This is about the person who decides to get fit and lose weight they will join a gym.

Have they really sat down and thought about what they are doing?

Do they think that by joining a gym, the hard work is done and it is all downhill from here on?

Do they realise that to lose all that fat they have accumulated over the last 10 years or so, they will have to work very hard and for a very long time?

Of course, I cannot possibly speak for everyone, as each of us are different, but the truth is there is no magic formula, no under the counter pill you can take, to safely get you into shape.

No matter what you do in your life, if you don’t have a plan, you will not succeed.

Spend 30 minutes thinking about the gym you are going to join. Does it have a contract you will have to pay regardless of whether you go or not?

Does it have a joining fee? (Don’t get me going about joining fees).

Will the staff be there to help you after your induction?

Can you spare the time to get fitter and lose weight?

Are you prepared for the shock which usually hits you after about 3 months? It is the shock you get when you realise you haven’t lost 60lbs in all the time you have been coming.

Surely after all those hours in the steam room you should have lost more than 4lbs by now!

I apologise for my condescending manner, but it is a rant after all.  One that is unfortunately true.

With a little planning and a little research into what to expect from your gym membership, you can get to your target.

Set a goal. Make a plan of how you will get to that goal. Stick to it!

Good luck and keep moving.