In the popular American TV show FRIENDS, one of the protagonists Chandler has an unused gym membership that he tries to cancel with his friend Ross’ help. They go to the gym, where instead of Chandler quitting the gym, Ross ends up joining the gym. They do not intend to actually use the membership but are unable to quit the gym because people at their gym (“people” here refers to a chiselled woman named Maria) seem to hold an almost hypnotic power over them, robbing them of their agency to make financial decisions.
This may be the one case in known history where quitting the gym takes more willpower than going to the gym regularly and working out. In today’s post-pandemic era, however, there are many factors to consider before settling on any workout or fitness option. After weighing the pros and cons of working out at the gym, it seems like regular gym routines are the only way to work out consistently and effectively. In Pune, gyms were not allowed to open until very recently, and several people decided to start permanently working out at home instead of going to the gym.
While it seems like a great idea to join a workout app or watch some fitness videos and follow along, in the long term, it does not bode well in terms of training your mind and body for consistent workouts. So, if you are thinking of cancelling your gym membership, here is why we think you should reconsider:
Making time for home workouts is the biggest challenge
Working out at home for a few months, you may have realized how difficult it is to stick to a routine. Children, work, canine babies, or even Netflix prove to be formidable adversaries when you have finished work and are deciding how to spend that one free hour before dinner. And do we even have a free hour? Working from home has ensured that we are all working 24*7, so making time for fitness has definitely been a challenge for most people.
There are no distractions at the gym
When you are working out at the gym, on the other hand, you are dedicating that hour to your fitness goals and showing your love and commitment to your body. With all the uncertainty in the world, your mind and body deserve this. So, if your gym is following the safety protocol to ensure hygiene standards are being met, it makes sense to hang on to that membership and go to the gym whenever it is permissible to do so.
No room for cheating on reps
One of the best things about working out at the gym is that you cannot do what is known as “reps cheating,” which means doing 17 reps instead of 20. You know how gym instructors say “one more rep” and make you do five more? You need that push to ensure that your workout is effective, because left to our own judgment most people are averse to intense workouts. On the other hand, those who don’t know their body’s limits and go too far during workouts – there are qualified gym instructors to ensure that you don’t injure yourself during a workout.
There are only so many exercises you can do at home
There is also so much more you can do at a gym that you cannot do at home, which means that workouts do not get boring and repetitive easily when you have coaches/trainers/instructors overseeing them. At gyms, it is their job to ensure that your workouts are effective and to motivate you to do your best.
Thus, if you are serious about fitness, keep your mask and hand sanitizer ready. As per the new government orders, gyms are allowed to open, and many gyms have invested in sanitizing their premises and putting in place protocols to reduce the risk of contracting viruses. Your body and mind will thank you for going the extra mile to workout effectively and consistently!