When it comes to choosing products, we set our own ideals and criteria before we’ve even looked into the offers and details. Our boundaries are based on what we think we want and can do comfortably, instead evaluating what will truly benefit us. Money, time and effort are perceived barriers that become malleable when you truly value a product. A classic example: women will make time for a 3 hour hair appointment and pay upwards of $200. Why? The value lies in their joy, self-confidence and socialisation from this. Some may think this is insanity. No, insanity is settling to sacrifice value and growth for comfort and/or convenience and expecting the same, lasting result.
Let’s compare your investment into something widely applicable: Grocery shopping.
| FARMERS MARKETS | BIG CHAIN SUPERMARKET |
| Quality organic produce, flavourful and nourishing, less processed | Budget friendly (low risk investment) |
| Budget friendly, buy in bulk | Several stores within close proximity |
| Friendly face to the brand = Trusted source | Accessible & extended trading times – always convenient |
| Feedback support into the community, families & small businesses | Large variety of produce |
| Only available certain hours | Quality is questionable |
When you know what is good for you, and you feel good about it, why settle for less? Choosing a gym should be taken with the same approach. Your health, achievements, enjoyment & satisfaction are at risk. The honest intention for a gym membership is longevity. Why would you waste your money, time and effort if you were only staying short term? So, what determines your gym membership lifespan?
- The body’s response – Changes in body composition, improvements in fitness and abilities and risk of injury will determine how your body feels about going to the gym. It has got to be more than just ‘getting your heart rate up’. Your body should feel good with the work! But it should be able to progress AND recover from it effectively. Are you using your body to move and build its potential or are you just taking it through the motions and pushing it in directions it really does not want to go? The body speaks loudly, and it won’t lie to you when it’s unhappy.
- Are you stimulated?? This isn’t necessarily referring to the excitement about exhausting your body. But more so, are you challenged? Do you get to understand and process new movements, new levels, new techniques? Much like our body, the mind gets used to routine and we need to keep changing aspects for growth & attention. Excitement is a factor that comes with stimulation. Excitement, not just in the sense of pure happiness to be put through the hurt locker, but excitement to be faced with challenges, unlock potential and rewarding achievements.
- Is it just another To-Do list item? How different is the tone “I have to drop in the gym and get a few sets in” compared to “I’m looking forward to going in, seeing my friends/coaches and move my body!” The reason you invest in a gym membership is not just because it should be on your To-Do List. It should be a place where you look forward to being surrounded by like-minded people and genuinely enjoy their company while training together. You are there for the supportive environment, not just the task. This is the gap that takes you from just training to now thriving!
This can be tough to choose a quality product when there are so many factors to consider and there may not be somewhere that ticks ALL of your boxes. Life doesn’t hand out the perfect environments and situations, we learn to be flexible and work with what we can control. Maybe it will take a bit more travel time, your budget needs to be reviewed or maybe the type of training seems out of our abilities at this point in time. Understand that these are all perceived barriers of your comfort zone and what you’re willing to change. Let’s change the perspective from
“I will have to sacrifice __________ if I want to do this. But I don’t want to have to give it up.”
and turn it to this…
“I can see the value of [this] and I know it is the help I need. Let’s adjust________so I can do this around it!”
Again…your health, achievements, enjoyment & satisfaction are at risk. Invest into what YOU value and genuinely enjoy. That is where you will thrive and find meaningful longevity.
Other questions to ask: What do I want to feel with exercise? What do I want to gain from exercise? What can grow from investing my time/money/effort into this opportunity?
Author – Caitlyn Huth Exercise Physiologist/Coach