7 ways to use your gym

Here’s how to stop wasting your cash and make the most of your membership

There are many Australians who hand over their dollars to a gym chain every month, but only go twice a year: once to renew their membership and the day after that for a workout. 

Here are a few ideas to ensure you get maximum value for money from your membership and the health benefits you are paying for.

What’s that one do?

The enemy of a dedicated gym program is routine. Keep things fresh by trying a new piece of equipment each week.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re either too advanced or not advanced enough to have a go. Pretty much all the equipment can be customised in terms of weight or resistance. Just get an instructor to talk you through the proper form and recommend a starting number of reps and you’ll be good to go. Aside from the fact that you’ll have different activities to try, you’ll also be exercising a wider range of muscle groups.

One on one

Those personal trainers wandering around the gym are there to do more than just make you feel bad that your six pack looks more like a keg. Once a month, treat yourself to a one-on-one session. It will cost you between $50 and $70 and you will leave the session with a raft of new training ideas.

A personal trainer will also ensure you are doing the exercises correctly and provide a plan to expand the workout.

Some gym chains also offer a taster program where you get three 30-minute sessions with different trainers to see if you would like to do any further sessions. These cost about $60 for all three sessions but can be cheaper if you train during off-peak periods.

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A holistic approach

The gym is not merely a place to work out, it is also a place to chill out.

Most gyms offer yoga classes as well as those that combine Pilates, tai chi and meditation. Your membership fee entitles you to go to these and just because you don’t build up a sweat while an instructor goes “whoo” into a microphone headset, doesn’t mean it’s not a workout. You may not be doing serious cardio but you will build strength and flexibility.

Steam powered

If your gym has a sauna or a steam room, why not use it? As long as you ensure you remain hydrated, a sweaty session can be just the detox you need.

Most gyms either have separate facilities for men and women or operate a roster so there is no uncomfortable gender mingling. Just be sure to wear some clothing.

Food for thought

As Australia witnesses a boom in national gym chains, smaller independent operations are seeking to set themselves apart with services such as onsite nutritionists.

Depending on your membership fees and structure, a session with a nutritionist can range from $40 to $70 per hour, but as a one-off it is well worth it as a coordinated diet and exercise program will undoubtedly help you achieve your goals faster.

Take it outside

Taking a leaf from the boot-camp phenomenon, gyms of all sizes are now offering short-course programs that take place outdoors and range from a week to a month in duration. Designed to shake you out of your regular routine and produce the kind of results that come with subjecting your body to new tasks, a four-week program of 12 sessions at Fitness First, for example, costs $14 to $19 a session.

The buddy system

If you’ve ever spent an evening at the in-laws looking at their holiday photos, you’ll know all about the power of obligation. Sometimes knowing you have to do something even though you don’t want to is just the push you need.

The same dynamic applies if you have a gym buddy: someone you will let down by not turning up. Many gyms operate a system where if you introduce a new member, you get a discount on your own membership.

Questions to ask a gym

• Has the gym been in operation for several years or is it part of an established chain? This is often an important indicator of quality and consistency.

• How busy is the gym at the times you want to go? Will you get to use the equipment you want?

• Are there childcare facilities?

• Are there lockers for your valuables?

• Can you put your membership on hold or use it at other locations?

• Are there classes to suit your level of fitness and experience both now and in the future?

• Has the gym introduced enough new programs over the past 12 months to keep things interesting in terms of variety?

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