Gym membership for the month of February has increased significantly in comparison to January.
I have observed all throughout this month that more people have been venturing out of their homes and abandoning their home workouts for the facilities available at the gym. It could be based on the fact that people appear to be less fearful of contracting COVID-19, or perhaps it is because they just miss the adrenaline rush of being in the ‘factory of gains’ or maybe it is both.
For me, working out at home simply cannot compare to working out to the blasting music at the gym and being among like-minded individuals looking to achieve their fitness goals. That being said, however, let me make it clear that no one needs to join a gym in order to exercise regularly.
As many of the exercises for home workouts attest, your body really offers the cheapest equipment available. To take things up a notch, a small investment in additional equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands, and a stability ball greatly expands your exercise options at home. Nevertheless, gyms do offer huge advantages.
Firstly, monthly fees are a big incentive to exercise. No one wants to be paying and not getting value for money, so investing cash in gym membership can be the motivation you need. Secondly, classes offer companionship, a chance to learn proper technique and opportunities to challenge your body and sample new trends. Thirdly, most gyms have state-of-the-art equipment that most people can’t afford.
Finally, personal trainers are often available for weekly appointments, small group training sessions, or a short-term overhaul to freshen your routine. Also, for many people, being around others who are investing time and effort in their physical fitness is motivating.
Furthermore, gyms are taking more than adequate measures to reduce the potential spread of sickness. They have added cleaning stations, rearranged equipment to be farther apart, limited locker/washroom use and are checking guests’ temperatures with touch-free thermometers. Reminders about keeping machines clean and maintaining a social distance are also posted all over the place. If this trend continues, gym owners will see a further increase in subscriptions for the month of March.
Meanwhile, aside from being free and in the comfort of my own home, I can’t come up with many pros to staying home and working out.
