You Get What You Pay For

I'm a bargain hunter. I like to get a good deal.



There are definitely times when cheaper is fine.

I don't buy fancy workout outfits, I exercise in a T-shirt and Chucks. I don't need a 4 star hotel when I go away; as long as the place is clean and convenient, I'd rather save the money. I won't pay $10 more to go to breakfast at a trendy restaurant when the eggs are better at the local diner.


So, yes, I like a good deal but I don't choose price over quality or go cheap on things that matter.

When I opened my gym, I purchased commercial grade treadmills and ellipticals, not cheaply made home versions. When I got a new computer, I paid more because I wanted something durable and reliable, not some bargain off-brand model that could end up causing me lost time and headaches. I wouldn't go to a physician based on the fact that she was the cheapest doc in town and I had a coupon. I doubt that I'm alone in that.

So why do so many people chose a gym because it's the cheapest?

If you are a long-time fitness enthusiast who knows how to properly perform cardiovascular and strength training exercise and to make sure your routine is balanced between muscle groups, a no-frills gym might be right for you. However, let’s be honest, that description doesn't apply to most people.

I've heard it so many times...

Think you'll get results doing this?

*  "I joined Saturn Gym but only ever walked on the treadmill because I didn't know how to do anything else."


*  "I'm frustrated with my results; even though I've been going to the gym regularly, my body's not changing."


 

*  "I was intimidated and no one ever helped me so I quit going."

*  "I tried NY Fitness but the staff spent all their time badgering me to buy personal training."

*  "Can you set my husband up on a routine? He joined XYZ Health Club but all he ever received was a group orientation."

Little or no instruction. No results. Skipping a critical part of a good workout. Giving up.

Does that sound like a good deal to you? In regards to your health and fitness, you really do get what you pay for.

If you're not an experienced and knowledgeable fitness buff, don't be fooled by the promise of a bargain. If you've tried to form a gym habit before but gave up for whatever reason, think about what you really want and need from a fitness center.






Your decision should be based on VALUE, not price.






We spend hundreds of dollars on cable TV; fancy cell phone plans; take out food, electronic book readers, tablets and games; etc.

Isn't improving the quality of your life worth more per month than a couple of designer lattes?

You CAN succeed at getting more energy, dropping excess fat, improving your self confidence, and enjoying life more. You just need the right atmosphere, encouragement, and proper instruction.

There are many factors to consider when looking for a gym. Don't spend $1 until you get my free consumer guide on choosing the right fitness center for YOU. Just go to www.GetFitLancaster.com.

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When Bargain Gyms Aren't A Bargain

On Wednesday, I took a new member through her first workout at Body & Soul. She was astonished at what she experienced and I'm not exaggerating by using the word "astonished".

She came to me from another gym where she's been a member for 20 years. Yes, I said 20 years. Although thin, as she's gotten older, she's picked up some excess fat around her middle and didn't feel like her current regimen was doing much for her.

It wasn't. Although she was a faithful exerciser, she's basically been doing the same routine for all of those 20 years.

She thought about working with the trainer on staff there but based on a conversation, didn't feel the trainer was knowledgeable enough to help her.

So she called me, came in for a tour, and signed up - all in the same day.

And yes, she was astonished during and after our workout. She couldn't believe how much different her body felt doing different exercises and doing them correctly. She was surprised that she could actually feel the muscles she was working.

She realized that she'd just been going through the motions. She was never told how to safely challenge herself to continue improving. Nobody ever bothered to explain the importance of changing her routine regularly.

I bet they would have found time to talk to her if her payment had bounced but as long as she kept paying, no one cared if she was getting results or wasting her time.


Yesterday, when she joined, she told me she couldn't do squats because they hurt her knees. Today, she did multiple sets of squats and had absolutely NO knee pain. Why? Because she was taught how to do them properly.



I understand joining El Cheapo Gym if you are fitness savvy, know how to design a well balanced strength training program, and can perform the exercises correctly. If not, how much is that "bargain" costing you in poor (or non-existent) results and wasted hours?

Don't use all this stuff without proper instruction.

If you're not a knowledgeable fitness buff, think twice before signing up at a gym where you get a cursory "orientation" instead of a proper training session to get you started.

There are other factors to consider when looking for a gym. Don't spend $1 until you get my free consumer guide on choosing the right fitness center for YOU. Just go to www.GetFitLancaster.com.

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All Gyms Are Not Created Equal. Does Yours Suck?

Shortly after I started working at my first gym, I took a part-time job at another fitness center. I always remember the owner saying he disliked "negative" ads because it made the entire industry look bad. Although, as I remember it, the ad he was referring to didn't really say anything bad about other gyms. I don't remember the specifics but it was something like, "at our gym we'll help you get started / you won't feel intimidated / it's not crowded"- rather vague general statements like that. I guess he disliked the implication that all gyms weren't like that.

For a long time, I thought my old boss had a point and I didn't want to do anything to discredit the fitness industry. It's too important for people to exercise and, for most folks, I think the right gym is the best option. However, the key phrase in that last statement is "the right gym."

I've decided that we're actually doing a disservice to the industry by not acknowledging the shortcomings of too many gyms. There are way too many people who've had a bad experience and then paint all fitness centers with the same brush because they think we're all alike. It becomes, "I tried joining a gym but it didn't work" or "I joined a gym but I didn't like the men staring at the women doing step class" or "I hurt myself on one of the machines."

It may be good for my business but I'm tired of hearing how a woman joined a gym but did nothing but cardio because no one ever showed her how to use the strength equipment, let alone set her up on a proper program. (This happens to men, too but I own a women's gym.)




It upsets me that members of a certain chain are told they can do the same circuit day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, and still get significant weight loss results.



You can't. Your body will adapt to doing the same thing over and over but they don't want to admit that because you'll end up cancelling your membership and going where you have more options.

  

I'm appalled that people actually get injured during a TRIAL workout because of the incompetence of a big box gym's trainer. I'm not making that up; it happened to one of my boot campers and you can read about it here ==> Becky's Big Gym Experience

It bothers me that woman (and probably some men who aren't muscleheads) are still made to feel like an annoyance in some gyms.

So what brought all this up?

I had asked one of my long-time members to make a video about why she liked Body & Soul Fitness Studio. (You can see it below.) When it kind of turned into a litany of what she'd experienced at other gyms, it was the final straw. Between Barb's video and the things listed above, I decided it was time to get real about what was happening in the fitness industry.

The important thing to know is that there are gyms out there with qualified instructors, that care about whether you actually use your membership, that keep up on the latest research and that teach you how to exercise correctly for your goals. Here's one ==> 

There are gyms where members are expected to return their weight plates and dumbbells when they're finished and they are not allowed to leave puddles of sweat on equipment for someone else to clean up.

I will be writing more about the differences in fitness facilities but, for now, don't give up. If you're thinking of joining a gym, get my free report, "How To Choose The Right Fitness Center For You" at GetFitLancaster.com

Here's Barb's video. She does talk more about Body & Soul in another video :-) . I'll post that soon.





Leave a comment below and tell me about your good or bad gym experiences.



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How To Choose The Gym That's Right For You

Fall is often the time when people start a new fitness program. For moms with kids, they have a little more free time when school starts back up. For others, as summer winds down, they’re not as busy with weekend outings, vacations and other activities.

For most people, the first consideration in choosing a gym should be a convenient location. The facility should be close to where you live, work or regularly visit. 

People lead busy lives. Having to spend an extra 30 or 40 minutes going to and from the gym often ends up becoming an excuse to skip workouts when time gets tight. A fitness center can have the fanciest equipment, the trendiest classes or the cheapest rates but none of those things will do you any good if you don't go regularly.

Next, think about what will make you comfortable. If you're middle aged or a senior and would feel intimidated by young hardbodies, think twice before joining the club favored by college kids and bodybuilders or the Chippendale dancers.
                                                                                                                

If you're overweight and would feel uncomfortable exercising around the opposite sex, check out single-gender facilities. If you have injury or medical concerns, make sure you feel confident that any health club you consider joining can set you up on a workout that is safe and effective for you.

Decide what features are most important to you. Do you want a personalized workout routine? Are classes your favorite way to exercise? Do you need a facility with extended hours? Will you be happy repeating the same basic exercise program month after month or do you want a gym where you have the option of changing your routine? Do you prefer the atmosphere of a big club or a small one? Do rows and rows of equipment excite or intimidate you? Will you be exercising before work? If so, will you want to shower at the facility? Do you need child care? If you are a lapsed exerciser who really enjoyed lifting weights, will you be happy at a gym consisting solely of 10 or 12 pieces of hydraulic equipment?

Unless you are an experienced exerciser, make sure you find out the qualifications of the instructors and trainers. Unfortunately, there are fitness centers that will hire people with little or no knowledge or experience. People often assume that the big guy they see at the gym knows all about building muscle or that the skinny girl who takes all the classes can help them lose weight. However, for all you know, both those people could just be genetically lucky. Or, unfortunately, Mr. Muscle could also be Mr. Steroid and Ms. Skinny could be Ms.  Eating Disorder. A great body does not make someone a knowledgeable fitness professional.

Knowledgeable or genetically lucky?

Obsessed?

Healthy? Or...

                                                                                                                                                                 
After narrowing your choices down, go take a tour of each facility. The club that seems like the best choice on paper may not be. Do you feel comfortable? Is the staff friendly and attentive or does it seem like they’re just going through the motions? Do they ask about what you want in a gym or are they just focused on “selling” what they have? When visiting a club, go at the time you intend on using it. Touring a facility at 9:30 AM on a Tuesday because you have the day off doesn’t give you a good indication of the atmosphere or how busy the place is after work at 5:30 PM.

Determining your priorities before you start visiting clubs will help you ask the right questions and make a more informed buying decision. The more comfortable you feel and the easier it is to integrate exercise into your lifestyle, the more apt you will be to maintain the habit.

If you’re ready to get fitter, healthier and more toned, let’s talk about the options you’d have at Body & Soul Fitness. Call Mickey today at (717) 509-7777.