New Year’s Is The Time To Get Your Gym Membership
Seattle – After the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, people immediately start to think about those resolutions that made for the coming year. One of the most popular resolutions people make is to get healthier and for some people that means quitting a damaging habit such as drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes but for the majority of people that means losing weight and hitting the gym to get into shape. Even with the economy teetering on the brink of complete collapse gyms and health facilities all over the country are reporting record sales as the most profitable time of the year for health clubs comes through for yet another season.
Although it can be said that people with real resolve, at least for the beginning of the year, can put aside the cost of a membership if it means they have a chance to get healthy there are still some people that need a little push before they will sign up for the commitment. So even though health clubs and gyms are reporting healthy sales they are going for record sales in a bad economy by offering big discounts to first time members and that little push is really paying off for the entire health club industry.
Some of the discounts truly are big discounts as some health clubs are waiving sign up fees while others are waiving sign up fees and even waiving the fees for the first couple of months for new members. Many health clubs are also engaging in giveaways to new members that sign up during the month of January. Clubs offer gifts from free towels to free gym bags and if a prospective member was in need of what the club is offering as a free gift then it makes the decision for the prospective member that much easier.
When the New Year’s celebration is over people start to think of summer and vacations on the beach and many would like to take that vacation proudly wearing a very revealing swimsuit. Other people just want to be able to climb a flight of stairs without having to stop and catch their breath. Whatever the resolution is the fact is that health clubs see a large spike in memberships during the month of January as people try and develop the resolve to get healthy and have the body they have always wanted. If the health clubs can help entice new members with big discounts and giveaways then that is just good business for the members and the clubs.
Step away; He’s about to burst!
I feel compelled to comment on the man in the picture, shown in your article about people going to a gym as part of their New Year’s resolutions.
This man has classic physical characteristics of someone with Cushing’s Syndrome (massive truncal obesity with relative puny arms; striae- purple streaks over his lower abdomin, and other signs). Or, he could have ascites (fluid filling his abdomin) from liver cirrhosis. Or, he could have one of several abdominal tumors that can cause such massive girth.
My point is that there are several serious physical diseases this man could be suffering from. Therefore, I feel that it is unfair and misleading to portray him as merely hugely overweight, and present him as just a “prefitness fatso posterboy, ” to induce more people to sign up at the nearest gym.
By far most people who join gyms never go after the first 2 months,most gyms will not allow you to pay per visit or per month, so you go for 2 months then have to pay for 2 years of face a ding on your credit rating. Regardless of the deal the cub is offering odds are in your favor that you will loose, if a gym will not offer a month to month package at a reasonable price find a different gym, don’t fall for the used car sales tactics either. Never sign a long term agreement with a gym. The sales man will tell you this month only or the price will go up, its a lie they say that every month.
I would suggest going for a walk everyday. If you can walk for an hour a day everyday for two month you might be committed enough to justify paying for a meat market membership.
Is he pregnant?
Seriously, what is wrong with the guy pictured? It seems he has more health problems than being overweight.
The guy in the picture? Just a Republican (full of shit).
Something is seriously wrong with the guy in the picture.
Before joining a gym – try to gradually work your body into the program – see a doctor if it has been a long time since you had any form of physical activity.
Buy a yoga CD from Wal-mart and try light stretching. Start with as many push-ups, light walking, and sit-ups (crunches) as you are comfortable – keep it simple. Once you are into the routine consider the gym membership.
No need to join a gym and feel guilty about not going because you do not have the basics.