It’s that time of year when many of us make new year’s resolutions, and the most common one is to take more exercise. Gyms are at their busiest in January, when the resolve to get fitter is still strong. However, research shows that less than 40% of people stick to their resolutions, and often the gym visits have seriously dwindled by mid February.
The motivation to get fit or lose weight seems to be outweighed by the negative aspects of using the gym for a lot of people. Here’s a look at the most frequently used excuses for not getting on that treadmill.
Being too busy/tired
One of the most common reasons given for not going to the gym is being too busy and/or too tired. This is understandable for people who are working or studying full time, particularly if they also have caring responsibilities. Finding the time and energy to travel to the gym to work out before or after work can certainly be a challenge.
Not liking the atmosphere
Gyms can be busy, noisy, and smelly places, and some of us are more sensitive to environmental factors than others. The smell of stale sweat can be hard to avoid, even in the cleanest of establishments. The temperature can soar when it is packed with dozens of sweaty bodies, making it humid and even harder to feel comfortable.
On the other hand, the air con can be blasting even in the depths of winter, leaving you shivering in your workout kit. Music can be blaring and repetitive, and you have no choice but to listen to other people loudly discussing their next 10k run.
Not all gyms smell bad, of course, especially if they use a gym scent diffusion system.
Feeling self-conscious
People who are new to the gym and perhaps not in as good a shape as they wish can feel intimidated or self-conscious when using equipment. This is understandable, especially if you are not in the habit of wearing vests and lycra in public.
However, the vast majority of the time, most people are focused on their own workouts, and pay much less attention to other people than we might assume. Of course, there will always be a small section of people who are there to pose, or who offer unwanted comments on others, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
It’s too boring
Some people find a gym workout becomes too repetitive or dull after a few visits, and they can’t bear doing the same thing over and over again. However, most gyms have a wide variety of equipment which lets you vary your routine with each visit. They usually also offer classes or one to one sessions to let you try something new.
Tracking your progress with an app can also give you the motivation to carry on, because you can see yourself getting fitter, stronger, or leaner with each visit.
