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Could December be the optimum time to join the gym?

April 06 2022 6 min read

You can sign up to a gym all year round, but could there a better time to join than others?

Joining the gym is a lifestyle change and a commitment, in order for you to get the most out of your workouts you need to be confident with the equipment and comfortable in your surroundings. If you’ve never been to the gym before it can often seem like a minefield, as there are so many new things to learn.

While we have already discussed the importance of your gym induction, it is equally as important to make sure that you spend the appropriate amount of time getting used to your new gym surroundings in order to get the most out of your workouts. However, it can often be difficult to fit in a decent few hours getting to know your gym due to work commitments and time constraints.

Could joining in December propose the solution to this problem?

BEAT THE RUSH

One of the main reasons people stick to the same mundane routine is because they are scared to try new things in front of a floor full of people, or they feel too intimidated to ask for help from a member of staff.

December is a great time to join a gym as fewer people tend to go over the festive period, which means that typically the gym will be emptier than usual. This gives you greater freedom to try out your technique on the different pieces of equipment and you might feel more confident to ask staff for help.

EXTRA TIME

One of the most important aspects of sticking to a fitness regime is incorporating it into your daily routine, yet when you first start it can take a while to get your bearings and it could become more difficult to tailor a routine when you are pressed for time after work.

For the lucky ones who are blessed with extra time off this December, it is a great opportunity to get stuck into designing a workout that is perfect for you. If you have the time, booking a session with a personal trainer will be really beneficial. They can assess your fitness and help you to create a workout that helps you to achieve your goals. Additionally they can also provide advice on technique and form so you get the best out of your time in the gym.

REALISTIC GOALS

The New Year’s rush can have an overwhelming effect on our decision-making process, which often leads us to have an all or nothing attitude when it comes to our fitness. While this is great if we stick to it, chances are if you design a gruelling regime in January, you might burn yourself out and abandon your progress by mid-February.

Joining the gym in December relieves the New Year pressure. As many people avoid the gym altogether during December, any progress you make will count as a success. This allows you to complete smaller, less-intensive workouts until you feel confident enough to push yourself further. Come January you will be way ahead of all those passive gym-goers who shelved their fitness plans throughout Christmas.