Thinking of joining the gym. How can I make sure I actually go this time?

[losenotloose]

Maybe a silly post but I joined last year and ended up paying £150 for two classes! I really want to join (a different, easier to get to one) but I'm worried I'll just end up doing the same thing. How can I make sure that doesn't happen?

have a set time you go every week (eg: friday morning at 8:00) and make sure to go religiously. eventually it will become routine

Stick a fiver in a sealed jar, every time you go.

Making it a routine is a good idea, and non-negotiable!

I'm not sure I've got enough fivers!

Anymore wise words?

Stick a fiver in a sealed jar, every time you go.

Donate a tenner every time you don't go

Have a target of trying all the different classes once, to see what you like.
I've done that and it turns out I live body pump and tennis! Step class nearly killed me, never again for that one!

I'm not sure I've got enough fivers!

OK 2.50 and that's my final offer, any thing less than that & I'll be cutting me own throat.

I joined one with a spa! Motivates me to go every time!

Find a class you really like. I hate the gym itself, but love the yoga class and after doing that for a few months, I could face the body balance class. I now do 2 or 3 classes a week. Better than avoiding the place and sitting on my bum.

I’m 3 weeks into a new gym. To be honest the fact that I pay monthly at the moment is enough to keep me going. I simply cannot afford to pay and not go. Other things that help: telling people so it is more obvious if I don’t go, putting it in my calendar, picking a time of day that is realistic, finding a gym with good coaching / PTs on site so it is noticed if I am not making progress as I am not going. But I still don’t look forward to it.

Can you recruit a friend?
I started going to Pilates because a friend dragged me along, was amazed to enjoy it, couple of years later am up to two classes a week and three sessions in the gym.
It's a brilliant excuse to watch 'Homes Under the Hammer' and suchlike crap TV too.

After paying for several months and trying to go at 5am (ha ha, I live in Queensland and that’s still too dark and miserable!) I changed to a gym I can go to at lunch time. Is that an option? I take about 70 minutes to workout / shower and then get back to my desks with my lunch. I just stay a bit later. I’m lucky it’s really close but I got 4-5 days a week now. I have to take a packed lunch so I’m actually saving money as well!

Aak around to see if any friends are members
Book classes in advance
Get a programme made by one of the trainers.
Pack your bag the night before or have it in you car ready
Make sure you have kit that you are comfertable in

Choose the time in the week you most want to escape your nearest and dearest and go then.

One of my friends swears by going straight to the gym from work. She says once she gets home she’s not motivated to go back out but if she drives straight there it’s done for the evening.

Only works if that fits with your schedule though.

It's something you have to schedule into your day.

Personally, I do best with doing it first thing in the morning, and I go 6 days a week. If I were to simply resolve to go 3x a week, I wouldn't get around to it.

Other people have brought up some other motivators:

Join a gym you love. If you find one with a lovely pool and spa or something like that that makes you feel great just being there, then it makes sense to pay more. The best value for money is the gym you will actually go to.

And consider saving certain Netflix/etc programs for your exercise time. If you say "I can only watch my program on the elliptical machine" then you'll have motivation. Plus, the connotations of exercise will be more positive as you associate it with something pleasant.

Finally, try to not think of it as a chore or duty. Think of it as an indulgence. Think about the wonderful things your body does for you and treat it with the care you would for your most precious possession.

Great, thanks for all these. I only work 3 days a week now so I've got even less of an excuse!

My gym allows you to PAYG. It is more expensive in some ways but costs me nothing if I don’t go!