Doctors generally recommend that adults participate in 30 minutes of moderate to intense exercise 3-5 times each week, at a minimum, in order to maintain fitness and health. But what does this mean for you? While your physician can certainly give you recommendations on what types of exercise to try and how to get your heart pumping, the truth is that you’re going to have to spend some time trying on fitness for size before you discover activities that not only fit the bill, but that are actually fun. When exercise is a chore (aerobics) or a bore (treadmill), you’re likely to fall off the wagon. But if you can find a way to make it fun, you have a much better chance of sticking with it. And joining a health club can give you myriad options to explore. Here are just a few major benefits of signing up for a membership at a nearby gym facility.

  1. Get healthy. The main reason people join gyms is to get healthy, and if you take full advantage of your membership, this is a distinct possibility. Unfortunately, the onus is still on you to show up, but a health club will provide you with all kinds of resources, and not just in the way of a facility full of equipment. You’ll also have access to personal trainers, classes, and in some cases extras like a pool, a basketball court, an indoor track, and more. Some have professional nutritionists on staff to help you come up with a diet plan to complement your exercise regimen. All of these resources can lead to improved health, but only if you take advantage of them.
  2. Access to equipment. One thing you’ll find at a gym that you can’t hope to replicate at home is equipment, and most gyms come with a plethora of machinery. You’ll find plenty of machines meant for cardio, such as treadmills, stair climbers, stationary bikes, and such. But you’ll also have access to free weights and weight machines designed to help you tone, tighten, and build muscle, depending on your particular fitness goals.
  3. Try new types of fitness. Many health clubs offer classes, so if you want to try new forms of fitness with a professional instructor to guide you through the process and push you to your limit, try taking some classes that you wouldn’t normally be drawn to. You may do spinning, Zumba, Pilates, yoga, or targeted training for abs, legs, or upper body, just for example. The point is,you can try something new every day in an effort to determine what suits you.
  4. Make friends. Working out alone is a real bummer for some people. And if you’re doing it at home the chances of developing friendships with like-minded people is pretty slim. By going to the gym you have the opportunity to meet others like yourself who are engaging in fitness activities. This gives you the opportunity to make friends and potentially find a workout partner that can help to motivate you towards your fitness goals, or at least make exercise more pleasant.
  5. Affordable pricing. You might think that gym memberships are too expensive. But there are plenty of clubs, just for example, that offer truly affordable pricing. So if you want the health club benefits but your budget is tight, comparison shop and ask about any special deals for new members.