Among the more popular New Year’s resolutions are exercising more and losing weight. But to many people, joining a fitness club and exercising on unfamiliar equipment ““ or alongside fellow patrons who are unfamiliarly fit – can be daunting.
In an ad campaign, one of the fitness chains coined a term for this feeling of apprehension: “Gymtimidation.”
Getting new fitness-seekers past those initial feelings of insecurity is crucial, said Jacob Brooks, executive director of the Burlington branch of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. January is the YMCA’s biggest month for new memberships, he said.
“We want new members to feel comfortable,” Brooks said. “We know the first 21 days of a program are so important. If you’re not comfortable, you’re not going to develop this as a lifestyle.”
Many of January’s new gym members can become February’s former gym members – perhaps as many as 80 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report.
To try to help new members stay the course, Brooks said the YMCA takes the typical orientation session a step further with “Success Appointments,” designed for a new member and a staffer to connect.
Success Appointments provide an orientation to the equipment and help new members feel more comfortable. Beyond that, the sessions, which can last up to an hour, are designed to help new members make a contact, a friendly face at the facility, who can help them establish and maintain their healthy lifestyle goals.
That’s important, Brooks said, because many people who have been away from an exercise program sometimes return with unreasonable expectations. It’s key to remember that exercise is just one component of adopting a healthier lifestyle. Also, that no one is going to lose 10 pounds in the first week, and it’s important to recognize that doesn’t equate to failure.
“We want them all to have many small wins right away,” Brooks said. “Small wins add up to a big win in the end.”
Brooks said the YMCA encourages members to exercise with friends, whether in a class, doing cardio or in the weight room, to make exercise more enjoyable.
A few other tips from the Mayo Clinic to keep you resolution-makers resolute through the New Year:
- Make activity part of your routine. If you can’t make it to the gym one day, don’t beat yourself up. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Get up and walk around at lunchtime.
- Keep an exercise diary. Write down what you did each day and how your body responded. Seeing it on paper or on a screen can give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Treat yourself. If you meet a goal, give yourself a reward, like a new pair of athletic shoes or some new workout tunes.
Click here for more exercise tips from St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s board-certified athletic training staff.
