If you have a buddy who wants to exercise to get in shape, the most common advice is to tell them to get a gym membership. But I don’t think that’s the best advice to give.
It’s better to tell your buddy to find a physical activity that they actually enjoy doing. That activity might may be bike riding, swimming, martial arts, tennis etc. By doing an activity that they actually enjoy, they’ll be more likely to keep up with the exercise.
The gym experience isn’t for everyone. Many will say that you just have to be disciplined and stick to your gym routine. But discipline is a lot easier when you enjoy what you’re doing. But if you’re forcing yourself to go to the gym because you just want the results then you are less likely to stick to your exercise routine.
IMO, a gym is only necessary if you’re trying to get super muscular because then you would need specific equipment and maybe a trainer to teach how to do the reps properly. But if you’re just wanting to get in good shape, then a gym is not needed. And always keep in mind that your diet has more of an impact on your weight than exercise.
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I would say, slowly starting making healthier choices. Maybe that means for some walking 10k steps a day, then cutting back on sugar, then focusing on getting a good amount of sleep, then dramatically cutting back on alcohol, etc. But I will always mention lifting weights eventually for women. Depending on what you look up the numbers say 1 out of 3 or 1 out of 2 women will get osteoporosis. I cannot in my good conscience not mention the gym/lifting heavy weights.
Makes me think of Chandler in Friends trying to get OUT of the gym membership, but the gym makes it impossible 😂 “I WANNA QUIT THE GYM”.
The experience is getting in shape. Not every gym goer is there for the instagram worthy build lol. I swear reddit makes everything so painfully complicated. Work smarter not harder would hate to see a redditor coming
Most people who need to exercise don’t enjoy it. You go to the gym because that helps put you in the frame of mind to burn calories. If they had something active that they enjoy doing they wouldn’t be in a position where someone tells them to get a gym membership.
I always tell people just get up and move. Doesn’t have to be complicated. Take a bike ride, go for a walk, do some yoga… just move your body.
I second this. I hate gyms. They are loud and overstimulating for me personally. I think if you have a friend who is telling you they want to get in shape the best avenue is to do it with them and just start them doing something simple that doesn’t require a membership.
Meet them at a local school track a few days a week after work and just do some sit ups, push ups, and some cardio with them. I think having someone else is honestly the motivation a lot of people need. It’s hard for most people to hold themselves accountable when their body is sore and they are exhausted. Knowing someone is expecting them to show up somewhere can be enough.
A gym or health club can have many or all of the things you mentioned above…..
Going for a walk (or run) is free, and better for your mental health than working out inside under florescent lights. It’s also a good way to see if you’ll stick to a exercise regime before you pay money.
Tbh all most people need to stay healthy and in okay shape, is a short strength training routine they do a few times a week, an hour or two of cardio a week (depending on intensity longer if your walking or doing steady state), and fix their diet to where they’re in a slight deficit (if you can find a diet that gets you -200 calories a day and is easy to maintain I.e. switching full sugar sodas for Coke Zero or chips for nuts you’re golden). Gym is a significant time sync and ads a frictional barrier of having to go there, wait for machines to be available, etc. 8/10 times a beginner is better served doing some push-ups and going for a walk at home. Then in the future if they want to progress consider investing in a gym or home equipment.
I suppose YMMV, as with all things, but the gym is a good one-stop shop that offers a variety of options in a single, accessible location.
Going out into the world and finding an activity you enjoy can complicate things beyond what the average person has time and energy for.
It may not be universally applicable advice, but it certainly isn’t bad advice.
Yes, the best exercise or physical activity to do is the one you will do regularly, but for a whole lot of people, that’s the gym.
I wouldn’t say it’s bad advice as much it’s not the only advice.