Trainers share tips for anyone considering signing up for a gym membership in 2021.

The past year was a grind of relentless health concerns, isolation, and grim headlines. But no matter what life brought you in 2020, the new year is here, hopeful and promising a return to some kind of normal just around the corner. If you’re primed for a reset in 2021 (and who isn’t?) and thinking of joining a gym for the first time, read on for dos and don’ts of signing up for a fitness gym membership. 

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Do: Know What to Expect 

Feeling anxious about doing something for the first time is natural. It’s true for job interviews, dates, business presentations, and it’s true for gyms. Whether it’s simply uncertainty about what you’ll find inside, or maybe fears about how you’ll fit in, or insecurities over how you’ll look, there are various sources of gym-anxiety. 

What can you do to give yourself a leg up in this process? One of the best approaches for overcoming gym-related fears is arming yourself with knowledge in advance. Knowing what to expect will minimize surprises and alleviate anxiety.

So, what should you expect? For one, gyms can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers. Entering a world of bright lights, energetic music, and new equipment can be intimidating—at first. Don’t let that sensory overload dissuade you. Take things slowly and step-by-step on your first visit, getting a feel for your surroundings before diving in. 

Don’t: Feel Self-Conscious for Being New

Once in the door, actually getting on the machines or hitting the weights can present another set of anxiety-inducing hurdles. If you’re nervous or self-conscious that you’ll stick out, it’s helpful to keep in mind that every person you see in a Blink Fitness, regardless of how comfortable or at home they look, was once in the same boat as you—at the gym for the very first time. After a few visits, those intimidating machines and strange faces start to become familiar. Eventually, you won’t feel at all like the newcomer in some foreign land you felt like on your first day—you’ll feel right at home. In addition, you might be pleasantly surprised at how working out around other people can produce better results. 

Do: Ask for Help

It’s not only ok to ask for help; it’s smart. You won’t do yourself any favors by pretending to be an expert and stumbling through a workout on a piece of equipment you don’t know how to use or overdoing it on weights. If you’re not sure how to use a machine correctly, or you think your form could use some tips, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

A Fitness Gym Membership Can Keep You Motivated All Year Long 

January’s enthusiastically-begun gym membership fading into February’s quietly forgotten new year’s resolution is a cliche for a reason. A lot (but certainly not all!) new gym memberships fizzle out pretty quickly despite the best of intentions. 

Here’s the data on New Year’s fitness resolutions

Unsurprisingly, fitness and health-related New Year’s resolutions are perennial top choices, comprising around 50 percent of all responses across multiple surveys on this topic. In particular, exercising more, eating better, and losing weight are top-five resolutions year after year. While their appearance in the top five every year might seem to suggest these resolutions are falling by the wayside every year, the data is more complicated than just that. For one thing, fewer than 40 percent of all Americans make a resolution any given year. But what about those who do, and specifically, what about those who join a gym for the first time? 

According to data collected from Google, health apps, and a fitness trade group, gym visits begin increasing in early January, peaking late in the month before dropping somewhat in February and then leveling off for a sustained period into the spring. Research also suggests that the first six or so weeks of sticking with a resolution to hit the gym are the most important part. Individuals who make it through February are more likely to report having gone to the gym (and made more trips) over the previous two weeks in April.

How a fitness gym membership can help

What are the benefits of choosing a gym membership as opposed to other fitness regimens? A wealth of research shows that maintaining an active lifestyle produces measurably better outcomes across an array of health indicators. According to the World Health Organization, adults should aim for at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderately intense physical activity weekly. A recent study from researchers at Iowa State University showed that 75 percent of participants with gym memberships met—in fact, significantly exceeded—that target as opposed to individuals without memberships. 

Gym memberships are correlated with a more active lifestyle and better overall health as well. How so? Weight loss is one of the most commonly stated goals for people joining a gym for the first time (or for new year’s resolutions, for that matter). But the benefits of gym memberships go far beyond that. Individuals with gym memberships aren’t just less likely to be obese; they have a lower incidence of an array of cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in the United States. 

What we can learn from the data 

What’s the takeaway from this data? It’s something that personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts have harped on for years: Building good habits is vital to reaching sustainable health goals. And going to the gym is, essentially, a habit. A realistic fitness routine centered around a gym membership is one of the best ways to cultivate those good workout habits you’ll need to realize better health in the new year.

Managing expectations is an essential part of this process. There are no quick-fix, miracle solutions to improving your health. It takes work, and it takes time. In other words, it takes motivation and commitment. One of the most important elements of a successful gym membership is acknowledging (and accepting) that ups and downs will occur. Don’t get discouraged because you miss a scheduled trip or two to the gym. Life has a way of intervening and waylaying even the best-laid plans. Maintaining a long-term outlook with realistic goals is the best way to realize your fitness and health goals. 

If you’re ready to put 2020 in the rearview and looking forward to a healthier, happier you in the new year, the team at Blink Fitness is ready to help you make that a reality. With over 100 locations, updated safety protocols, and expert personal trainers, Blink Fitness can make joining a gym for the first time part of a great 2021.