Gyms & The Point of the Exercise
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Maybe you joined a gym in January thinking the inflated fees would have magically deflated your flabby bits by now. Now that Q1 is over, it's time to get out the measuring tape and check on your progress.
We all enjoy the initial euphoria of joining a gym - buying the kit, getting in among the beautiful people, and feeling all excited about doing something 'healthy'. We even feel good for being knackered after the first sessions. But after a while, progress is hard to sustain. With summer time here, it will be even harder to plan spending the evening in the gym.
And the City work-hard-play-hard ethos refers to working late, not working out.
If your attendance record has flat-lined, ask yourself why. If you can find time during your work day, then diarise the workout (e.g. 2-3 times a week) and prioritise it as a work meeting. Or, if like me, you cannot face the hassle of working out during a work day, then make time first thing in the morning. Mix and match working out before, during and after work.
Do you belong to a large chain of gyms with ones near your work as well as home? Go at weekends by getting up early at least one day (then join the partner for breakfast-in-bed freshly showered upon your return - perfect!).
Be honest about your objectives for exercising. If you want to get fit, maybe you just need to take up running - cheaper in the long-run, especially if you aren't disciplined enough to exercise regularly. If your aim was to lose weight, you need to mind what you eat. If you're a vain guy and want to 'gain muscle', you might need to eat more, especially useful proteins. If you're toning up, then consider swimming as a substitute for the mind-numbing treadmills and walkers. Or, If your gym offers it, book and go to the classes to keep your attendance disciplined.
Be realistic about how often you can go. Don't talk about four times a week and then feel guilty if your commitments only allow one session per week. Instead, work out that you can go twice a week (most of us can) and then stick to it. If your self-discipline wobbles, so will the rest of you.
The latest 'trick' the gym chains use to take your money is to have you pay for personal trainers - who even press the buttons on the exercise machines. If you work in banking, 'do the math' for the return on this investment.
Fact is, no gym membership will by itself make you fitter, leaner, more toned and more attractive to the opposite/desired sex.
Instead quite possibly, the only thing that's gone down on you is your bank balance.
And the City work-hard-play-hard ethos refers to working late, not working out.
If your attendance record has flat-lined, ask yourself why. If you can find time during your work day, then diarise the workout (e.g. 2-3 times a week) and prioritise it as a work meeting. Or, if like me, you cannot face the hassle of working out during a work day, then make time first thing in the morning. Mix and match working out before, during and after work.
Do you belong to a large chain of gyms with ones near your work as well as home? Go at weekends by getting up early at least one day (then join the partner for breakfast-in-bed freshly showered upon your return - perfect!).
Be honest about your objectives for exercising. If you want to get fit, maybe you just need to take up running - cheaper in the long-run, especially if you aren't disciplined enough to exercise regularly. If your aim was to lose weight, you need to mind what you eat. If you're a vain guy and want to 'gain muscle', you might need to eat more, especially useful proteins. If you're toning up, then consider swimming as a substitute for the mind-numbing treadmills and walkers. Or, If your gym offers it, book and go to the classes to keep your attendance disciplined.
Be realistic about how often you can go. Don't talk about four times a week and then feel guilty if your commitments only allow one session per week. Instead, work out that you can go twice a week (most of us can) and then stick to it. If your self-discipline wobbles, so will the rest of you.
The latest 'trick' the gym chains use to take your money is to have you pay for personal trainers - who even press the buttons on the exercise machines. If you work in banking, 'do the math' for the return on this investment.
Fact is, no gym membership will by itself make you fitter, leaner, more toned and more attractive to the opposite/desired sex.
Instead quite possibly, the only thing that's gone down on you is your bank balance.
Here Is The Writer : MrSMartinPants
SMartinPants is a global, polyglot sort of chap who works in investment banking just outside the Square Mile. He has a range of City work and life experience to draw from, and still thinks of himself is 'just visiting' London, despite living through umpteen economic/bonus cyles and housing bubbles. He is probably an Outperform rated single at this moment, but could also be the subject of a boardroom rumour of a fervent take-over - or indeed a friendly merger.
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