January is right around the corner, and inevitably there will be a huge influx of folks who want to take action toward weight loss, improved fitness, and better health.
One of the most common questions that people will ask is, “how much does it cost?”
In fact, I think it’s probably THE most common question and THE first one asked.
For some, it might be the only question they ask before making a decision.
But I actually think people are doing themselves a HUGE disservice and are looking at the whole thing quite myopically when they put this question above all else.
The fact of the matter is that there are other variables that are WAY more important when making a choice of what type of fitness facility to join.
Let’s start with:
- What is my primary goal?
- What obstacle(s) have prevented me from reaching that goal so far?
- What method(s) have I already tried in an effort to reach my goal?
These questions will shed some light on exactly which type of facility might work best to actually get you results.
For example:
➡️Your primary goal is:
- Drop a bit of weight / body fat
- Tone
- Fit into your clothing better
- Have better energy
- Just feel better.
➡️The obstacles that have prevented you from reaching your goal so far have largely been connected to a lack of motivation.
- You can’t seem to consistently workout on your own.
- You’re not entirely sure which exercises you should be doing.
- You have trouble sticking to healthy eating- you can do it for a few days or a week, but after that something always derails you.
➡️The methods you’ve tried on your own are:
- Workouts at home with DVDs or streaming through your tv
- Running or walking outside when the weather allows
- Downloading My Fitness Pal or other fitness app to help you manage calories and food
- Trying to just buckle down and use your willpower to eat better.
Given the answers to these questions, it makes NO sense for you to join a gym for $10 – $99/month that just allows you access to equipment.
Sure, it might be cheap, but it does nothing to address the real reasons you can’t reach your goals.
You’d end up “donating” that $10 – $99/month to the gym because it isn’t the right solution.
Instead, consider the investment of a facility or program that offers things like personal training designed to meet your fitness level and goals; nutritional guidance/support/help; accountability measures in place to make sure you stay on track; continuous positive motivation and reinforcement of your efforts, so you never give up.
Yes, you will absolutely pay more per month to access higher end services like these, but you will actually reach your goals when you make this investment.
Hell- you will probably blow right past your initial set of goals and start achieving things you never even thought possible for yourself.
I know because I see it happen all the time.
When people invest their money, time and energy into something that is centered around human-to-human individualized interaction, it is life changing.
So, as you start to survey your options for a fitness facility/program in the New Year, make sure you’re asking questions beyond “how much does it cost?” and first figure out what you need. Then find the best solution.
