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by Jim Coughlin When someone thinks about getting into shape they usually think about joining a gym. Although some people are successful with going the gym route, more times than not, people end up wasting their money every month and quit altogether. Why is this? Well, obviously because the certain individual is not serious about their goals and lacks focus and determination. In addition to that, someone who joins a gym may get discouraged and feel intimidated because they see that the majority of the people working out are in better shape then they are. If you have fallen victim to this, it's not your fault! And I'll tell you why...Joining a gym has NOTHING to do with being healthy and getting fit! The reason many people have this mentality is because America has been brainwashed by the countless fitness conglomerates that being a member of a gym is the ONLY way to get into shape. Nothing could be further from the truth! The following are 10 reasons you don't need a gym...I could list plenty more, but I know you ain't got all day! 1. You don't need to lift weights to get into shape. Doing 3 sets of 50 pushups or body weight squats is just as effective as doing a machine chest press or squat machine. Understand that resistance is resistance. Gravity is gravity. Your body cannot tell the difference. As long as you are challenging your body with strength training programs that are progressive, you will be well on your way to a lean, fit body. 2. You have to deal with "Gym Rats." These so-called trainers don't know what their doing and aren't passionate about what they do. They give trainers that work for me - http://www.fitnessandresults.com/cfr_personal_trainers.php and myself a bad name. Anyone can have a shirt that says 'personal trainer'. Anyone can walk someone through a bunch of machines. Anyone can count sets and reps. But it takes a true fitness professional to actually earn the title of "personal trainer." REAL trainers are capable of training clients anywhere they want and don't use a gym as a crutch. This is someone who eats and sleeps fitness and has committed their life to helping people get into shape...or in other words "CFR Personal Trainers." (Hey, I'll admit it, I'm biased) 3. Gyms are too crowded to work out efficiently. Every month gyms try to sell as many memberships as humanly possible. (Trust me, I know, I used to work for one) But what they forget is that every time someone signs up, it's more time you have to wait for a gym machine. And if you go to gyms during peak hours...forget about having a regular workout unless you feel like staying an extra 20-40 minutes. No thanks. 4. Some people are not serious and socialize rather than exercise. You've seen them before. They keep going on and on about their weekend, their dog, their crappy job... Yappidy Yap Yap. Meanwhile, you're trying to work out and talk to them at the same time because you don't want to be rude. Can't these people realize that gyms ain't the gossip corner? Go to a bar.
5. You have to be exposed to the unforgivable attire people wear. Seriously, I don't know what some of these people are thinking when they put these so-called clothes on. I see this guy at the gym I go to and I swear, the shorts he wears are...Well, I won't tell you here...but trust me, it ain't a pretty sight! 6. You have to deal with grunters and screamers while exercising. I know these people (guys not girls) like to lift hundreds of pounds because it makes them feel manly, but geez, do I really have to hear them from across the room. I'm sure these people don't read out loud...Why should exercise be any different? 7. You're harassed by salesy membership coordinators. Guilty as charged. I used to be one of these guys. I would bother members in the middle of their workouts to see if they knew anyone who was interested in joining. And if they did, I could reduce their monthly fees by a couple bucks. Thank God, I don't do that any more! 8. You have to deal with the mirror gazers. I understand these people are in phenomenal shape, but do they really have to look at themselves every minute to flex and pose. I mean, instead of posing in front of mirrors, why can't they try using them for what there REALLY meant for...using proper form. 9. Unsanitary bathrooms. The gym I used to work for had a cleaning company but it really didn't make a difference. Those bathrooms were G-R-O-S-S! Now, if you enjoy taking a shower where hun-dreds of other people have, well then...be my guest. 10. And last but certainly not least, you have to sign that dreaded contract. ALL Gyms are notorious for this. Once you sign, you're locked in with every imaginable clause you can possibly think of. If you want to stop going for whatever reason, it's royal pain in the arse to get out of a contract, unless you enjoy wasting a bunch of money. To those of you who have never had to deal with this...you've been warned. Getting into kick-butt shape is not supposed to be a hassle. The good news is, it doesn't have to be this way. Check out my book The In-Home Personal Trainer and say good-bye to gyms once and for all. Jim Coughlin is a personal trainer and the owner of Coughlin Fitness & Results, a nationwide personal training company. He is also the author of The In-Home Personal Trainer, a helpful guide to successful in-home personal training in addition to other products and many other popular fitness articles. Jim is very passionate at motivating people to empower themselves to live a healthy lifestyle through consistent exercise and proper nutrition. He has free weekly success tips which you are welcome to subscribe to on his website http://www.fitnessandresults.com
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