The gym can be seen as overrated by some due to its costs, the availability of alternative exercise options, and the perception that fitness can be achieved without it. However, for others, it provides essential structure, equipment, and motivation. Whether the gym is overrated depends on individual preferences and fitness goals.
Many people sign up for gym memberships with good intentions, but statistics show that majority of them don’t achieve anything.
In fact, several sources suggest that around 80% of new gym members stop going within the first five months of signing up. This lack of commitment can be attributed to various factors, including busy schedules, lack of motivation, or feeling overwhelmed by the gym environment.
It’s important to find an exercise routine that suits your lifestyle and preferences to ensure long-term success in staying active and healthy.
Is Gym good for Weight Loss?
According to Dr. Eric Berg, as mentioned in a 5-minute video below, exercise contributes only 15% to weight loss, while the remaining 85% depends on factors such as your diet, sleep, rest, and recovery.
So, yes, the gym can be helpful for weight loss, but it represents just a 15% portion of the overall equation. Achieving weight loss often requires a comprehensive lifestyle change.
Why is Going to the Gym So Hard?
Going to the gym is hard due to factors like a lack of motivation, busy schedules, intimidation, and physical limitations.
Overcoming these barriers often requires setting clear goals, finding a convenient gym, and seeking support to make the gym more accessible and enjoyable.
If you are not accustomed to working out and begin exercising at the gym for the first time, the initial days may not be enjoyable.
You may not experience muscle soreness during the first workout session, but your muscles are likely to ache after the first day. This discomfort can lead many people to give up on their gym routine early and stay away from the gym for an extended period.
Does Going To The Gym And Working Out Get Easier After A While?
Yes, with time, you will find that exercising becomes easier. When you establish a regular workout routine, your muscles no longer ache as much, making it more manageable to go to the gym and exercise.
As you gain knowledge about exercise, nutrition, and how your body responds to specific workouts, you’ll begin to enjoy your gym sessions and look forward to them.
However, many people start going to the gym with high expectations, and when things become challenging, they abandon their efforts. They may then perceive gyms as overrated. In reality, it’s essential to strike a balance between your workout routine and other commitments.
Initially, avoid pushing yourself too hard at the gym. Let your body adapt to exercise gradually. Increase the intensity only when you feel that your body can handle more pressure.
In the heat of the moment, it’s tempting to overexert yourself, but such strenuous workouts can leave you tired rather than energized.
What is the Hardest Part of Going to the Gym?
The most challenging aspect of going to the gym is stepping out of one’s comfort zone. For many individuals, it’s a struggle to muster the motivation to leave their comfort and make their way to the gym.
While some people primarily rely on their diet to achieve fat loss, which is commendable, incorporating exercise is also crucial. At the very least, maintaining an active lifestyle is essential.
While creating a calorie deficit is key to weight loss, going to the gym is indispensable if you aim to strengthen your body.
Advantages of Going to the Gym
The following are some of the main advantages of going to the gym and exercising:
- Boost in physical energy
- Strength to fight potential diseases
- Weight control
- Better mood and happiness
- Good for bones and muscles
- More flexibility and balance
- Better sleep
- Improved metabolism
- Good for socializing
- Reduction in stress
Disadvantages of Going to the Gym
Since everything in the world has its benefits and drawbacks, the following are the disadvantages of going to the gym.
- A gym membership can be expensive
- If someone does not correctly perform the exercise or lift weights, he/she will be doing more harm to the body than good
- Anxiety about seeing people with perfect bodies
- Gyms can be overcrowded at times making it hard to exercise because you have to wait for equipment
- Over-exercising to showoff and later feeling the pain of it
Can You Go to the Gym Every Day?
Unless you are not pushing yourself too hard, going to the gym every day to workout is fine.
Nevertheless, it is better to take a day off during the week to recover. But as long as you are not exercising extensively, like doing heavy cardio, there is no harm in going to the gym every day.
Check out this video to learn more about what happens to your body when you workout every day:
Final Words
Whether going to the gym is overrated or not largely depends on individual preferences, goals, and expectations. While the gym can offer a range of physical and mental health benefits, it’s not the only path to fitness and well-being.
Many factors, including diet, lifestyle choices, and outdoor activities, play essential roles in achieving and maintaining a healthy and active life.
One should try different options before settling on whether gym is good option for them or not.
