I’ve been lifting weights since my freshman year of high school and I’ve always lifted weights at a school facility or in my basement. Now that I’m in college, I have a recreational center I can use, which I do, but I went home last summer and needed a place to lift. I joined my first official gym with one of my brothers and purchased a membership. Keep on reading to find out about my experience having a gym membership!
Working out solo or working out with someone
I started off going to the gym with my older brother, so I had that support. It’s not that I didn’t know what I was doing, but I’m someone who likes to keep to myself when I’m working out. Being in a shared fitness space I quickly had to get used to what felt like more attention on me. At a regular gym, like this one, I didn’t feel as judged as I do when I’m at the college recreational center. I’m not sure why this happens but I feel like strangers and adults at the gym are doing their thing and are extremely friendly if you ask to use something. While you’d think college kids are the same, in my experience, it’s not as friendly and as comfortable of an environment. Illinois State used to have women’s weights hours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. which I loved as a freshman because I felt super comfortable doing my thing, considering I was going by myself. Unfortunately, ISU no longer offers this…but they should bring it back!
What I do love about ISU that my regular gym doesn’t offer is the variety of fitness classes. I’ve gone to cycling, restorative yoga, Zumba (my current fave), HIIT, and strength training classes. Zumba is so much fun with friends, just singing and dancing along together. HIIT reminds me of my past student-athlete days, but that one will get you sweating! Cycling is super fun too. One of my friends teaches that class so we always like to sit in the front row. Total Body Strength is another one that ISU offers and I love that one because it focuses on strength training, but this is one I prefer to go to by myself. Certain gyms do have fitness classes or personal training programs so be sure to look into that with your membership purchase if it’s something you might be interested in.
Rules and regulations
Another huge factor is that going to a local gym doesn’t have as many rules. Many are open 24/7 so if you’re the type of person to go late at night, you’ll be set. Or, if you’re like me, you can go whenever you have time in the morning or the afternoon. Another thing is that the school facilities often have strict dress code policies with clothing restrictions, so just something to keep in mind. I’m not super passionate about this since I usually wear standard athletic clothes, not the fancy sports bras or tanks, but I’m sure if I was dress coded myself I’d have a much different point of view about this one (just how we used to be dress coded in high school LOL).
I also appreciate how I don’t have to pay to park when I go to the gym, whereas on campus (unless I walk) you have to pay to park, and there are limited spots available. I usually walk so on days it’s rainy this is super frustrating and leaves me feeling unmotivated. However, as much as I love having somewhere to park the biggest downside to being at a local gym is just paying for gas and the commute time it takes to get there. The one I go to at home is about twenty minutes away, so I have to factor that in with your workout time frame. That’s a positive of working out on campus, you can walk five to ten minutes and then workout right away.
Another thing to mention here is, being a college student, I’m already paying to use the facilities with my tuition, so that is something to consider when purchasing a membership because the prices per month vary and there is usually an annual fee as well. I do believe you can cancel the automatic fees you pay for campus ones if you truly won’t need them but I like using the campus one during the school year.
Channeling the fitness motivation
One final thought I have from my experience at a local gym is that I am way more motivated and focused on my workouts. Whether it’s the get in and get out mindset or something else, I always seem to feel more empowered and motivated because I had to take the time to create this time in my schedule to be here. At the college workout facilities, I go on my phone way more – changing songs, responding to Snapchats, avoiding eye contact with people next to me.
At the end of the day, my advice to you is to go wherever you feel most comfortable. Whether that’s at a gym, on campus, outside, or in your bedroom, do what’s best for you. I found that I can get my workouts in both at a campus gym with college kids and a local gym with people of all ages, but I prefer my local gym when I’m home in the summers. No matter where that perfect workout place is for you, be sure to enjoy the fitness experiences you are having. After all, nothing beats that feeling after a great workout!