| Well, 2004 is here!
Hopefully most of you have had time to think over what you would
like to accomplish & do differently this year. Assuming that you
have already made the decision to start a fitness program, I’m
going to help you with the next step—whether to purchase some
equipment to train at home, or join a gym. While each person is
unique, there are some common questions that usually arise. For
simplicity, I’ll list them and then go more deeply into each,
offering suggestions to help you with your decision.
· Do you have a fear of working out in front of people?
· Will your budget allow you to join a gym?
· Does your company provide a gym onsite or offer any type of
company plan for joining a gym?
· Do you have room in your home or apartment to work out?
· Have you found it difficult to adhere to fitness programs in
the past?
· What is your schedule like? Can you workout before or after
work? Maybe on your lunch hour?
Once we dissect these questions, I think you will find it easier
to put your fitness plan into action. Let’s take a look at the
first question: Do you have a fear of working out in front of
other people? If you do, then I would suggest either training
in the privacy of your home or in a studio rather than a gym.
Later on, after you’ve been at it for a while, you may decide
to join a gym. But in the beginning, there are plenty of exercises
that you can do at home.
Secondly, can you afford to join a gym? Gyms vary in their prices,
but most will be between $20 and $40 per month, depending on the
amenities that they offer. Look around and weigh out the choices
and options. Be wary of large initiation fees and long commitments.
Many will charge an up front fee but a smaller monthly fee. Also,
inquire about paying for the whole year up front in order to save
some money as compared to a month-by-month plan.
Another option is to exercise in your company gym if you have
access to one. Gyms range greatly from one another, but a lot
can be done with a little equipment if you know what you’re doing.
Consider inquiring about full or partial reimbursement for hiring
a personal fitness trainer. Many companies are offering this now
since realizing that healthy employees increase productivity,
reduce sick days, and ultimately increase profits. Your workplace
may even have a corporate arrangement already in place with a
local gym. Inquire with your Human Resources department for details.
If you can’t afford a gym and your company doesn’t offer any
incentives or an onsite location, you may decide to exercise in
your home. If so, consider hiring a qualified trainer to at least
set you up with a program that you can continue on your own. You
should be able to find one that offers this service for a one-time
fee of around $50 - $75. You can do a lot with a good set of dumbbells,
a therapeutic ball and a jump rope. Start small, and build your
arsenal of equipment as you progress. There’s no reason to spend
a lot in the beginning.
Now, if you find exercise difficult to do on your own, try getting
a friend or family member to commit to a regular fitness regime
with you. If that isn’t possible, you may decide the route for
you is to hire a personal trainer to train you on a regular basis.
A lot of people also start out with a trainer several times a
week and then reduce the number of times they meet with the trainer
while increasing the number of times they exercise on their own.
If you already know that exercising on your own will be difficult
for you, just make sure you have the support you need before getting
started. That may even be as simple as telling your friends and
family members about your new endeavor. That way, they will be
more apt to inquire about your progress, thus helping to keep
you on track.
And lastly, decide what your exercise schedule will be. Later
on, you may find a flexible schedule actually works the best for
you, but from my experience, a regular routine provides the best
opportunity for adherence for beginners. If you’re an early riser,
you may find it best to workout in the morning before work. Or
maybe you get off early in the day. If so, try an afternoon or
evening workout. Lunch hour workouts work very well for a lot
of busy people. Whatever you decide, choose a schedule and stick
with it.
Hopefully you found this info helpful. Remember, there sometimes
will be no perfect time to get started. We will always have other
obligations and priorities in our lives. The key is to make exercise
one of our obligations and our health our priority.
©Melissa Allen is a certified personal trainer, Blackbelt & fitness
consultant, as well as the owner of Optimum Condition— personal
fitness training and kickboxing instruction. She is a self-syndicated
columnist and a member of the San Diego Press Club and the National
Society of Newspaper Columnists. She welcomes input from her readers,
so please contact her with any questions or comments that you
may have by calling (619) 252-4993, email her at Opticondit@aol.com,
or visit her website at www.optimumcondition.com.
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