Top Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Gym Membership!

We've all been there.. ultra motivated to get results then a few weeks down the line given up for some reason. Mostly because we've not hit or aren't seeing the results we wanted to in the first place! So, I thought I'd write down and give you my top 7 tips to get the most out of your gym membership...

1 - ACTUALLY GO
This sounds so obvious I know but.. it's so true! Consistency is key to getting the results you've dreamed of! Make sure you sign up to a gym that is right for you, if its your first membership try joining a gym close to home or work - no more "oh it's too far to go to the gym" excuses, I bet if you searched online there would be at least 2 or 3 gyms within a 5 mile radius of each other.

2 - BE REALISTIC
As a personal trainer I hear of so many great goals or things people would like to achieve but the trouble is that most of the time people don't give themselves a long enough time frame to achieve them in. This can then have a huge demotivating side effect and hence the gym membership cancellation. Think of your long term (12 month) goal it could be that you would like to lose 3 stone, then break it down into smaller more achievable goals spread out over the course of the year. You might want to run a marathon but at the moment you struggle walking up the stairs at work without being out of breath, try signing up for a 5km charity fun run in a couple of months to help you start.

3 - FOLLOW A PLAN
Once you have figured out what you'd like to achieve and set your long term, medium term and short term goals it's time to find a plan! I'd always recommend going to a qualified professional, they will be able to create and tailor a progressive plan to your needs, goals and fitness levels. If you are in the gym and have something to follow, research has shown you are statistically more likely to stick to it and achieve your goals compared to those that don't follow a plan in the gym or at home.

4 - ALL THE GEAR BUT NO IDEA
When you are just starting out focus on getting the basics right first - a healthy balanced diet and regular training. You don't need fat burners, pre-workout drinks or lifting straps until you progress your training. There are 100s of supplements out there - they are NOT miracle workers and they should be taken as a SUPPLEMENT to healthy eating. Ask a qualified professional if you are unsure of anything.

5 - TRY THE CLASSES
Most gyms include fitness classes within their membership for free - this is great! It means you can try as many as you like to see which classes you love and hate. Stick to the ones you love, if you enjoy what you do, you will be far more likely to get results and stick to it.

6 - BUDDY UP WITH SOMEONE
It's so much easier to stay on track when you know someone else is following your progress! Invite a friend to the gym and work out together, it'll help you stay motivated when sometimes you just want to stay in bed or press the snooze button a couple more times!

7 - TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
Tracking your progress is a huge part of seeing your results and staying motivated! Obviously what you track will depend on your goals, resources and whats available to you. Qualified professionals can help you monitor a lot more than just weight. Body fat, muscle, hydration levels, metabolic age, strength levels and cardiovascular fitness levels are great - the latter two are definitely something the scales won't tell you!

I hope the tips above have given you something to think about and take on board, they have certainly helped most people I've spoken to. Follow me on instagram.com/getshawfit for more!

Amy