Are you taking your gym membership seriously?


There’s always that friend or colleague who seems to be ‘off to the gym’ every evening, leaving you feeling guilty for not doing anything.

However, new findings suggest that far from sprinting, lifting and squatting their way to fitness, 50% of so-called gym-goers spend more time lounging by the pool, relaxing in the sauna, reading and chatting to friends than they do actually working out.

The survey, commissioned by home sports equipment company Kettler, suggests that Brits waste their money and time in gyms without reaping the fitness benefits.

Half of respondents said they only ‘go through the motions’ at the gym, some because a gym membership is part of their work benefits package, some because they think going to the gym is the ‘thing to do’ and others because they want to ogle at attractive people.

Worryingly, a sly 13% admit that they often say they’re going to the gym while heading off somewhere else completely.

According to the findings, only one in three gym goers actually breaks a sweat during their workout. While women feel reluctant to ruin their make-up or let their hair go frizzy, men fail to work up a sweat because they’re too busy watching sport on the big screens.

It seems self-consciousness is one of the main reasons people slack at the gym, with one in 10 admitting they don’t want people looking at them and 39% saying they avoided certain machines in case they looked stupid doing the exercise wrong.

A spokesman for Kettler said: “It’s understandable people feel self-conscious at the gym, especially if you have joined up to lose a large amount of weight. It can be intimidating standing next to really toned bodies or hardcore fitness fans, especially if you are unsure of how to operate equipment.”

Of course, what you get out of your gym experience will depend on what your goals are. If you are looking to unwind after a tough day, lounging in the sauna can be an excellent de-stressor. Similarly, if you’re looking to meet love interests or friends, then striking up conversations with fellow gym-goers is a great idea. However, if your goal is to get fit or lose weight, then you will need to find a way to focus yourself. While relaxing by the pool and chatting with fellow gym-goers can be great for mental well-being, it’s not going to do much for the waistline.

With some gym memberships costing as much as £2,000 a year, it seems like a shame to go without putting in any effort. A life coach will be able to help you focus on your goals. If it’s self-confidence you need to work on, then he or she will run through confidence building techniques. If it’s motivation you lack, then a life coaching session could give you that boost you need to want to get out there and do well.

To find out more about how life coaching can help, head over to our Health page.

View and comment on the original Telegraph article.

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Written by Zoe Thomas
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Written by Zoe Thomas
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