Some of the Starke crew after a grueling holiday workout.
Well it looks like it's that time of year again. The ball is about to drop! By that I mean it's new years not that one of our younger members is about to become a man.
Here are some things that I have seen over the past 15+ years of coaching others and working in gyms that you might want to think about before joining a gym. These are in no particular order as they are just different thoughts floating around in my head aimlessly.
1. Before you even go check out your potential new sweat shack think about what you want from your new lifting grounds and your training. Write down exactly what you want, what you can see yourself doing, what equipment is a must, what hours they're open, what types of classes they have (hopefully CrossFit), what are busy times, and what you might want to learn (and do they have the staff capable of showing you this and will it cost you more?)
2. Do some goal setting! Set some short term and long term goals. The problem with starting a new fitness routine and becoming that new you is that people just join a gym and typically say "I want to lose weight" or "I want to get into better shape". Those are great goals to have but how are you going to get there? Setting some goals like hitting the gym 4x a week for 60 min including a combination of strength training and cardio or metabolic conditioning is a great way to git er done and make the most of your time. If you want to learn something new research the movement, ask staff how to get started and work on it. Some things might take a little time and others might take months or even a year (or more) but think of what the byproducts of achieving that goal will be?
Think of something that excites or scares you and train for that. Make sure it's your goal so that the work you put in is worth it.
Setting weekly, one month, three month, six month, and one year goals are great ways to create a sustainable plan that can lead to success.
3. Try before you buy!
You've found this awesome place with brand new equipment and that new gym smell but what are you going to do there? Just because there's shiny equipment and big tv's doesn't mean it's good. If all you're going to do is walk on the treadmill and watch the food network then this might work but if you have no idea where to start and are going to need some support make sure the facility has the ability to support you.
4. Sometimes people say "Hey I'll get a trainer". Trainers are a great idea to keep you accountable, teach you proper movement and mechanics, and scale movements appropriately. There are a lot of good trainers out there and a lot of bad ones. Which one do you want? I've watched trainers with two degrees and a masters put people on strength training machines and half assed count reps while staring at their phones and texting. If you want a rep counter/cheer leader and to pay someone $65/hr to text their friends then I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that can sit you on a machine and count your reps and not have to teach you anything. If you're looking for someone to teach you and train you rather than just count for you then do some homework. Ask friends for recommendations and if you are already going to the facility watch how the trainer interacts with the clients. You can tell if someone is passionate about what they are doing or if they are just there to collect a paycheck.
Just a warning about training. Some places try to sell you on a "Package" for the year. Some trainers get a commission on training packages that they sell. I have had people come in with a "quote" from a gym for $6000-$8000 for a year of personal training. One of my current clients received this before coming to my gym and his wife suggested that he just by a used car and push it all over the city for exercise. If the place is going to be pushy and force you into something that you don't think you need then walk away and think about it before acting on it. If you do go through with it then you had better like that trainer a lot!
4. Plan your training into your day!
Think about your training like a meeting or an obligation. Set a time for it and make it happen. If it's a class you're attending then sign up for it so that you can plan to get there ahead of time, warm up and be prepared. Planning for success will lead to it. hoping for it will not. I can't tell you how many people have told me that they joined this 24hr gym so that they could go anytime... "I can even go at 3am if I want to". When I ask them how this 24hr place is going the usual response is that they haven't been in months "but I gotta get back to it".
5.
Make sure you enjoy it!
Whatever you decide to do you need to enjoy it. If you don't look forward to going to the gym what are the chances of you getting there and sticking to it?
Try something new whether its CrossFit, Olympic lifting, kettlebell training, kickboxing, spin class, learn to swim, join a triathlon or running club. There is so much out there to try and do. Don't limit yourself to the treadmill or elliptical. Learn some cool new stuff and meet some great people. I have met so many amazing people that I still keep in touch with from over 20 years of trying new things and I don't regret any of them.
Good luck to to those of you out there that are wanting to start something new. If you take one thing away from this post then make sure you like what you're doing and it will lead you to success.
To those of you that continue to tear shit up on a daily basis. Keep it up because I'm sure you're someones motivation and whatever life throws at you, you'll be ready for .
Paul Dyck
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