If you maintain a regular gym routine, you likely have fitness goals that you’re eager to achieve. It can be tough to get to where you want to be, and usually, we blame our own lack of dedication or motivation when we start to see our progress stagnate. In fact, it may be something that your gym is doing (or not doing) that is preventing you from moving forwards. In this guide, we take a look at four signs your gym is holding you back from reaching your goals, and what you can do to fix it.
It lacks quality facilities
To get a good workout your gym needs to be able to cater to your needs, and this includes being well-equipped with all the required facilities on site.
Quality gyms should have a combination of equipment for both cardio and strength-based training. If it’s lacking in one or the other, you may have to sacrifice a part of your workout routine, or look elsewhere for the equipment that you need – either way, this is sure to disrupt your training.
It’s all well and good having plenty of machines and free weights, but if they’re not kept in top condition, you’re not going to be able to perform your exercises safely, or with the proper technique. Similarly, if the on-site facilities aren’t well maintained, your progression is likely to suffer as a result. A lack of accessible locker areas may cause you to be distracted from your workout watching over your belongings, while a shortage of fully-stocked water stations could leave you thirsty and unable to continue.
The staff are disengaged
At a good gym, staff will do everything in their power to support you to reach your fitness goals. This may look like offering scheduled classes and personal training sessions, as well as simply being present and aware of the happenings on the premises during staffed hours.
Unfortunately, some gym staff are much less keen to offer support to their patrons, or keep on top of activities and issues in the gym. Perhaps you’ll notice that they allow the noise levels to get out of control, or that they don’t correct gym-goers when equipment is misused or stored incorrectly. You may also notice that it’s hard to get in touch with them via phone or email when you’re out of the gym, indicating a poor level of customer service.
Ultimately, all fitness fanatics know how powerful peer support is when it comes to reaching a goal, and how a lack of it can make it a whole lot harder to stay motivated. This means that a positive atmosphere in the gym is imperative, and lack of it may mean that the staff on duty aren’t doing as much as they could be to facilitate their gym members’ growth and success.
It’s always overpopulated
What’s the use of having lots of quality exercise equipment, if you never get the chance to use it? Unfortunately, this is the reality for many gyms – particularly if the owners have made memberships cheap in order to get as many people through the door as possible.
The danger of paying less for your membership is that the gym can become overpopulated with people who take their workouts less seriously than you do. While everybody has different goals and fitness levels, you want to know that the members you’re sharing the space with won’t be hanging around having a chat, using up shared facilities or crowding the walkways.
Similarly, an overpopulated space means that you’re not always able to use the exact equipment or machinery that you’ve come to the gym to use. So, if you’re keen to stick to a rigid workout routine, it can become harder to achieve your goals.
It’s overpriced
It’s always important to feel that the gym experience you’re getting is worth the price you’re paying for it. All too often, you’ll pay high monthly fees, only to find that your gym has half the equipment and availability that others do in your area.
Ultimately, whether or not your gym is overpriced depends on what you can afford and what you are willing to pay. If you’re paying more than is feasible for subpar facilities, you’re likely to find yourself needing to substitute your gym membership with at-home workouts, or even a second membership. This kind of setup won’t be practical for everyone, and even those who can manage it are likely to find it’s a less-than-ideal method for working towards their fitness goals.
What should you do if your gym is holding you back?
If you’ve come to find that your gym is stunting your progress, it may be time to take action. Depending on the issues you’ve identified, there are a few steps that you can take to try to rectify them and improve the situation at your gym.
It’s always good to reach out to your gym in the first instance – as long as they can be contacted, and are open to hearing what you have to say. Ideally, they’ll be able to take your concerns on board, and implement changes that will improve the gym experience for everybody. You may even come to find that you’re not the first person to complain, and that other members are also looking for ways to boost their progression and optimize their workout experience.
If your gym staff aren’t committed or open to improvements, it may be time to move on. After all, when it comes down to it, you should never feel that the gym you currently attend is your only option. In fact, there may be another one out there that will work much better for you, and you’ll never know that unless you’re open to giving it a try. Whether you want to experiment with at-home workouts or perhaps travel to a gym a little further, the decision to try something new is likely to pay off in the long run as you get closer to achieving your fitness goals.