7 Simple Steps for Joining a Gym When You're Over 50 London
It’s never too late to do most things - and joining a gym in later life is no exception. Numerous studies have shown that this is the age where keeping fit is more important than ever for the impact it has on enabling you to stay active and agile for as long as possible. If you’re 50 or over and considering joining a gym for the first time or after a long period of inactivity, this article will provide a checklist of some of the things you should be thinking about.
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7 Simple Steps for Joining a Gym When You're Over 50
There are many things to consider when joining a gym in later life, but for simplicity, they can be narrowed down to these seven simple steps:
1. Motivation
Before you do anything else, you need to be clear about why you want to join a gym and what will motivate you to keep going once you have joined. Do you want mainly to keep fit or lose weight? What other options have you considered?
Now’s the time to be realistic. A gym generally makes its profits from people who take out expensive memberships then drop out after just a few visits, so what’s going to prevent you from going the same way? Can you join with a friend, colleague or your partner so you can motivate each other to keep going?
2. Cost
How much can you afford to spend on an ongoing basis on gym membership and associated costs such as transport, clothing and classes? Whether your chosen gym is a private or local authority facility, adding all these costs at the outset to the joining and membership fees will help you work out a cost per gym visit – a true representation of what it is really costing you to achieve your goal.
3. Location
You’re unlikely to visit the gym as regularly as you want and need if it’s not within easy distance of your home or work. And if transport is likely to be a problem then it’s probably not a good choice for you.
4. Opening hours
When are you most likely to want to, and be able to visit the gym? Do you need to be open early in the morning, late in the evening or at weekends? When is it going to be most crowded and when are the quiet times? If you are retired or semi-retired you may find that you can take advantage of off-peak discounts for less popular times.
5. Equipment and facilities
It goes without saying that you should visit the gym and experience the facilities (ideally with a free trial) before you sign up. If you are new to gyms you may not be familiar with the equipment and what it does, so ask for a guided tour and explanation. Also ask about additional facilities such as a pool or sauna which can make your gym visit a much more relaxing experience.
6. Staff
Quality of staff can make or break your enjoyment of the gym and your ability to fully utilise its facilities. Ask about staff, their training (including first aid training) and the services they provide. Avoid any establishments where the staff seem disinterested in you (possibly because you are older) or are not in evidence when you are being shown around.
7. Classes
Ask about how and when you will be taught to use the equipment and whether the gym runs any additional classes. Older people may benefit from additional suppleness training from yoga or pilates classes, or the motivation of group aerobic workouts.
Finally, before you join up talk to a few people as they enter or leave the gym and find out what they really think of it. There’s nothing like the power of recommendation, especially if you can get to talk to some enthusiastic over 50s.
Click here to access more useful information for the over 50s from in my prime.
1. Motivation
Before you do anything else, you need to be clear about why you want to join a gym and what will motivate you to keep going once you have joined. Do you want mainly to keep fit or lose weight? What other options have you considered?
Now’s the time to be realistic. A gym generally makes its profits from people who take out expensive memberships then drop out after just a few visits, so what’s going to prevent you from going the same way? Can you join with a friend, colleague or your partner so you can motivate each other to keep going?
2. Cost
How much can you afford to spend on an ongoing basis on gym membership and associated costs such as transport, clothing and classes? Whether your chosen gym is a private or local authority facility, adding all these costs at the outset to the joining and membership fees will help you work out a cost per gym visit – a true representation of what it is really costing you to achieve your goal.
3. Location
You’re unlikely to visit the gym as regularly as you want and need if it’s not within easy distance of your home or work. And if transport is likely to be a problem then it’s probably not a good choice for you.
4. Opening hours
When are you most likely to want to, and be able to visit the gym? Do you need to be open early in the morning, late in the evening or at weekends? When is it going to be most crowded and when are the quiet times? If you are retired or semi-retired you may find that you can take advantage of off-peak discounts for less popular times.
5. Equipment and facilities
It goes without saying that you should visit the gym and experience the facilities (ideally with a free trial) before you sign up. If you are new to gyms you may not be familiar with the equipment and what it does, so ask for a guided tour and explanation. Also ask about additional facilities such as a pool or sauna which can make your gym visit a much more relaxing experience.
6. Staff
Quality of staff can make or break your enjoyment of the gym and your ability to fully utilise its facilities. Ask about staff, their training (including first aid training) and the services they provide. Avoid any establishments where the staff seem disinterested in you (possibly because you are older) or are not in evidence when you are being shown around.
7. Classes
Ask about how and when you will be taught to use the equipment and whether the gym runs any additional classes. Older people may benefit from additional suppleness training from yoga or pilates classes, or the motivation of group aerobic workouts.
Finally, before you join up talk to a few people as they enter or leave the gym and find out what they really think of it. There’s nothing like the power of recommendation, especially if you can get to talk to some enthusiastic over 50s.
Click here to access more useful information for the over 50s from in my prime.