by Mario Carini

Created on: December 07, 2008

You don't need a gym membership to get in shape. Nor is there any requirement that you have to work up a sweat in a gym to get the maximum benefit of good health.

A gym membership has its uses if you are serious about getting back into shape. An instructor can be an excellent resource as he can teach you how to use the equipment and guide you through the steps to a healthier body. The instructor is there to motivate you to continue using the equipment and hopefully see you to the end of your membership. While working out at a gym is important, it does little good if you have never exercised before. If you are overweight, a gym membership can do more harm than good, unless it offers courses for beginners who want to get healthier.

Joining a gym for many is nothing more than a status symbol, an effort to convince your friends that you are serious about getting in shape, but if that's the only reason for joining a gym, you'd be better off with simple exercises at home. Chances are you won't last to the end of the membership and will have wasted money that could have produced healthier results through buying the right kind of food for healthier meals at home.

The central purpose of a gym membership should be to motivate you to do something to imporve your health. This is good since most of us don't have the self discipline to make changes ourselves. But unless an emergency forces us to make changes we are quite comfortable in the lifestyle we've adopted so while we have the best intentions, we often don't use the services as much as we should.

If you're that type of person, a membership won't be any use to you. If you know you need to shed pounds, exercise can be as simple as walking. No special equipment beyond a good pair of running shoes is necessary and you can start off small and build your way up to where using a gym makes sense. The simple act of walking gets you the cardiovascular exercise that gets the heart pumping the oxygen your body needs to function.

The machines at a gym are used to exercise certain parts of your body, but you don't need a Stairmaster to get the same effects as walking up a flight of stairs at home or at work. And if you have a bicycle at home, you can get the same exercise that a stationary or recumbent bike would do at the gym.

So, do you really need a gym to work out?

Ask yourself the following questions before you decide if a membership is right for you:

1) Can I set aside the time necessary to work out at a gym? You'll have to change your schedule to accommodate the time you need for a workout. If you can't, forget the membership.

2) What is the current state of my health? Consult your doctor. He might help steer you to a better exercise program.

3) Can I expect support? Your friends and family may not support your efforts. That's likely to dampen your enthusiasm to visit the gym.

3) Can I really afford a membership? Is my money better spent to improve my diet? You won't have the drive or desire to exercise if your diet consists of junk food and your lungs are filled with smoke.

4) Are there better alternatives to working in a gym environment? Use your imagination to find ways you can exercise without cutting out too much of the time you need to address your work and home life.

A good workout doesn't need the services of a gym. If you start and stick with a good exercise routine and have the money to spend for a gym membership, then, by all means, join one. It will still do you good and you won't feel intimidated by all those other muscular bodies pumping iron.

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