5 Excuses You Use To NOT Hit the Gym

Originally written for and posted to http://www.spiritleisurecentre.wordpress.com

Before we start I have a quick story to tell you. A friend of mine was late back to school after lunch and the teacher asked him why. He said his mother burned his lunch and she had to make him something else. The teacher said he didn’t want his excuses. He said it wasn’t an excuse it was a reason. 

We can make EXCUSES like “I don’t have time” or “I’m too busy” but the REASONS could be that you’re on Facebook for 3 hours a day or that you are poorly organised and don’t manage time well. The following 5 points are excuses because there is a way around all of them, you just have to WANT to get yourself fit and healthy! 

Any trainer that tells you they have never made excuses not to train is a liar.We all have the inner voice begging us to take the easy option. Controlling that inner voice is crucial to conquering the devil on your shoulder. Gary’s blog on self-talk will provide an insight into controlling that inner voice (read on, the link for Gary’s blog is at the bottom). In this blog I’m going to tell you the top 5 excuses I hear on a daily basis that are stopping people from getting to the gym AND what to do about it!

1.  I DON’T HAVE TIME

Chances are you are reading this blog on your laptop or phone. GET YOUR ASS TO THE GYM!!!! You can finish this later! Seriously though, if you are currently using this as an excuse and you could be working out now, what’s stopping you? Chances are you have the time but you suck at organising it!

SOLUTION: At the beginning of each week sit down and schedule your gym sessions. Get in before work starts, bring your gym gear to work and go straight afterwards. Record your favourite TV show and binge watch them all at the weekend as a reward for not missing your gym sessions.

2. I’M TOO UNFIT

   

I never knew you needed to pass a fitness test to be a gym goer, that’s because you don’t. This is an excuse. Plain and simple. It’s OK to walk into the gym feeling as though you are unfit. It’s not OK to use it as an excuse not to go.

SOLUTION: Chat with a fitness professional about your current level of fitness and start slow. There’s no required fitness level for entering a gym. The fact that you are there in the first place is encouragement enough to be positive. You’ve got to start somewhere.

3. IT’S INTIMIDATING

Doing anything for the first time is a bit scary and intimidating. The first time you drove your car in heavy traffic, the first day on a new course and even going on a first date, but you still do them. Why? Because you know the pro’s outweigh the con’s. Just like you, everybody else at the gym is there to BUILD confidence and are just as self-conscious as you are. Very few people start in a gym full of confidence!

SOLUTION: Ask your gym staff about the quieter times to train or before you start out full blast ask for an induction tour so you know where everything is when you walk in. Bringing a friend can be a great way to make the gym more fun! Some exercise classes can be a great way to get to know other members and pick up a few new exercises for your routine.

4. NO POINT STARTING NOW, I’LL START MONDAY

When did anybody ever start anything on a Tuesday right? EVERY day counts when it comes to your health! Most people will make this decision so they can over indulge at the weekend without the guilt associated with it.

SOLUTION: DO IT NOW! There will always be something to try knock you off the fitness wagon. A wedding. A 21^st. The finale of X-Factor. The big match. The Holiday. The Netflix binge. The weather. The list is endless! Starting is the hard part, so start today and get fit and healthy while everyone else is busy making their excuses!

5. I CAN’T AFFORD IT

It’s not about the monetary cost of the membership, it’s about the value. Here’s an example:

Person X paid €450 and joined the facility for 12 months. COMMITMENT! He wanted to lose 9-10 lbs and tone up initially. He actually used it a lot in January and February but drifted away after that. He didn’t get the results due to low usage. Very little value here.

Person Y paid the same and used the facility 3-4 times per week. She increased her strength and lost her body fat target. She feels fantastic and really enjoys coming in as it’s part of her routine now. Definitely value for money here!

SOLUTION: This “excuse” may be genuine but there are plenty of options other than paying upfront in cash for 12 months. You can even do our classes as a non-member – timetable HERE. Joining a leisure club doesn’t have to be expensive. In 10 years the cost of not keeping active could cost a lot more. SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT: In Spirit we offer 6 and 12 months with the option to go “Gym Only” for either term. You can even pay by direct debit on a monthly basis. It’s about getting value for your money. You can also block book our classes for a non-members it’s just €30 for 6 weeks. No excuses!

If you want something enough you’ll make time and find a way to afford it. It’s time to stop making excuses and make your health and fitness a priority!

P.S. I personally believe there should be a government incentive for people to join leisure clubs/exercise classes. Imagine getting tax back on your membership every year? Or, like a bike to work scheme, have a FitToWork scheme where you pay your gym membership through your wages weekly. A fitter more productive workforce couldn’t be a bad thing!

Written by Mark Caulfield

For more of Mark’s blog posts check out his personal blog at www.markcaulfieldblog.wordpress.com

Check out Garys “Self Talk” blog here: https://spiritleisurecentre.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/positive-self-talk-can-hold-keys-to-success/

Photo credits:
Photo credit: http://tyboydnewsletter.blogspot.ie/2012/07/very-busy-people.html
http://www.deque.com/blog/response-npr-piece-unfit-work-startling-rise-disability-america/
http://lbbonline.com/news/yogis-find-no-gymtimidation-at-planet-fitness/
http://www.online-instagram.com/media/982747815530927475_193600196
http://ortoday.com/this-is-a-good-time-to-save-money-on-gym-memberships/