In simplest form the answer comes down to two questions; "Do I deserve to live a healthier and longer life?" & "Am I willing to make adjustment and sacrifices along the way?"
Think about it… Gyms, Personal Trainers, Fitness Studios, Diets, Juices, Protein, Carbohydrates, it's too overwhelming to talk about and as someone who has been in the industry for 6+ years I find it hard to imagine for a newbie to digest and process this information while making a lifestyle change.
What about thinking of a place, somewhere welcoming and warm, being treated as a person not a number, enjoying your peers and getting a result. Now that's something you can bite on to.
Finding the right place to get your health and fitness in order doesn't have to be complicated. There are a few things you need to know in preparation for your search and the rest usually takes care of itself.
If you look on Wikipedia, the definition of physical fitness is determined by your state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate-vigorous physical exercise, and sufficient rest.
By the end of this article I hope that you find some solutions and tools that can take you a step closer towards having better health, if your health is winning, so are you!
Let us cover the costs. These can be the determining factors between great service, quick decisions and bad experiences.
The first cost is the most precious, it is TIME. Looking at your well-being and where you are right now, I encourage you to look back and see how much time you have invested in your personal health, if you haven't had it, it's time to move it up on the priority list as daily tasks and chores will always be there and can be pushed a day back while health takes priority. My suggestion as a minimum is 3 hours a week, I'll sweeten the deal and include travel time in there as you can walk to and from the gym or drive and spend more time at the gym. 3 Hours is not even 2% of the week and is a small investment that can pay off big time. You may vary your time with the addition of group classes or reduce it by doing shorter more intense workouts. You don't need 1 hour every day to stay healthy.
The second cost is MONEY. Cost of each training studio varies on the facilities, services provided and results achieved through their systems.
Tip: Seek a place that has a positive energy, seek trainers that take pride in what they do and live through their values. What trainers do in their own spare time is up to them, but if your PT is out of shape, has poor hygiene and doesn't care, they should no longer be your trainer.
With money also consider convenience, weigh up your options as sometimes a little more travel for better service is worth more as the headache you might find yourself in later may be from poor standards and poor service.
Spending Tips:
Most gyms will provide some sort of incentive to start, and if they don't, just ask. Majority will be more than willing to allow a week free or have your family members or friends train with you for the first 1-2 weeks.
Reduce the cost of your membership while improving your health with the following recommendations, they are JUST recommendations, know what you are willing to sacrifice and what you are not.
- By having 2 less drinks when eating out can save you $20 per week, the more drinks you skip the more you can put towards your health.
- Avoid desert or split it with someone, this can save you an additional $10 per week.
- Anyone who gets take out or take away more frequently, than they should could consider finding really easy meals to prepare quickly that are full of flavour and nutrients. Think about it… First you decide what you want, visit the website, take some time to think it over, great! Now you make the call and put through the order, either make a payment or prepare to pay cold hard cash. Most of the time you're paying for convenience of NOT cooking and NOT washing up as the cost would be overpriced for 1 meal. Finally, its 20-30 minutes and sometimes more depending on peak times before the food hits your tastebuds, boy is it delicious, the hunger and wait alone increase your appetite for those sugary and salty flavours. In this 40-60minute period of time you could have cooked a dish that would serve 4 and would cost a lot less as you are paying only for the food.
- Consider reducing the "treats" and shopping with a list. Alternative brands such as ALDI provide great products of equal or better value than your regular food chains such as Coles, Woolworths and IGA. Nevertheless, you can save $30-50 on a given shop if you shop smarter. Some brand of foods and products are only different due to their plastic, colourful labels and nothing else, this can save you $5-$20 each shop.
- Non-Bulk billing doctor appointments can cost between $80-$150 per visit, most like you will be referred to a specialist for extra spending and a little bit of information. Follow this up with medicine, vitamins, pills… The cost is adding up. What if you were in better health?
In conclusion price might be cheap, but long term it might not get you the result you're after, therefore costing you a lot for nothing. A high price might need sacrifices but the process may be more enjoyable and the long term cost will not be your health. In the end you get what you pay for.
Final cost is COMFORT ZONE.
Consider the benefits of navigating your health to a better journey and experience. Imagine sleeping better, having more energy, more confidence, being less reactive, breathing better, looking and feeling better, spending less time ill and at the doctors.
Be clear about your goals, understand what you are willing to change and what information you lack. With great passionate Personal Trainers, the more detailed information you provide the more tailored your program and result will be.
Embrace the new start and mark it as a promise to yourself. We often find ourselves excited about it, be realistic that this excitement will ease off but come back when you start to feel better and notice your results. Change is new and exciting, it's a growing part of life, change is not scary and unfamiliar, and it is not a risk that doesn't pay off. How you look at it is up to you. Good luck!
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
