Lost gym motivation after 12 years-help!

loveka

I have been going to the gym for the last 12 years, 4 times a week without fail. It was a Virgin Active, and it very suddenly closed down on 20th December.

I joined the local council gym -the only gym nearby that doesn't involve a drive. Since then my motivation to go has totally changed. OK, its not as 'nice' but would that really be the thing that's getting in the way?! You often have to queue to get in as the local pool is there too, also it gets very busy with children after 3pm (I didn't even know children used gyms!) After 5pm its so packed you have to queue to get on a machine! So really, to have an OK experience I have to go before 2pm.

I just feel totally different about going now, and I don't know how to remotivate myself. Its just not as nice an experience, and I feel really limited about when I can go. I had a cold last week so only went once, now I am just dreading it and have to go in the next half hour...

Any advice please?

belfastgirl23

Only you can answer this one.

Which is worse, driving to an alternative gym or going at the appropriate time to enjoy this one? Set yourself a time limit to find out. Can you get temporary membership of a drive-to gym for example? Maybe the facilities there make up for having to drive. Or maybe you hate driving so much you know already you'll never do it.

If driving seems the worst option then experiment with different times for the gym you currently go to. You just need to establish a new routine. Could you go first thing for example, there's not many children around then? Build in the new time to your normal routine. BTW most gyms are crazy later in the afternoon so I wouldn't guarantee it will be much better anywhere else.

Consciously reframing might help as well. So think of what you might look forward to wherever you're going. I had a bad blip with my regular gym a while back. I deliberately visualised it as warm, comforting and cosy. Rather than overrun for example.

It's ok to have a blip like this. A disruption of your routine takes a bit of getting around. That's what this is, a blip. But you need to get a grip on it before you lose the habit totally.

Good luck.

loveka

You are so right! I love driving actually, but I know that if I have to walk home from the station after work then get in the car to drive for 20 minutes I would make excuses not to do it! Despite my regular routine I am actually a rather reluctant gym goer!

Virgin was right next to the station and had private lockers and towels, so there was never a good reason not to go, it felt easy! Perhaps I need to sort out the issue that I don't actually like the gym much and the I'll feel better about this new one. I will try the visualisation, that's a fab idea, thanks.

TricycleGangsta

A lot of it is mental. Try switching up your routine. What do you normally do?

loveka

I do 50 minutes of cardio -cross trainer, wave machine, stepper and rowing, a combination -then a few free weights, the plank on the powerplate, sometimes weight machines. I think I got into a bit of a rur before, but because there was no excuse not to go, because it was so convenient, it didn't really matter!

At this new place I only pay for the gym. I never did classes at Virgin and the pool was a luxury. The pool at the new place is like a hotel in Benidorm so I decided not to pay extra to use it! So I can't even mix it up anymore.

I think I do just have to get into a new routine. It feels hard though.

belfastgirl23

Could you promise yourself to faithfully attend for a week? What you actually do there doesn't matter, do some stretching, a bit of a walk on the treadmill, whatever you can do comfortably and enjoyably without pushing yourself too hard. This is about building a routine and getting settled into a new gym so don't go hard on yourself. If you keep going the motivation will eventually return.

Let us know how you go!

PS the pool might not be as bad all the time, why not ask around and see if anyone can advise you...

TopherMiser

i am too wondering with the fact that even children are using the gym ..
to come to your ask .. you need not to let down your motivation and start taking it as a kind of change in your workout routine as it is too needed .. yes you are feeling uncomfortable for sure but may be due to being new under the changing scenarios of the gym you are hitting now .. so enjoy and give it some time .. and then if it is not suiting you just quit instead of any further forcing you and start looking for other sound options

Prothet_of_Doom

To be motivated, you need a target. Just going and doing is not a target. I NEED to loose 20 Kg's to be at my ideal weight, but I hate gyms with a vengence, so I have to find ways to exercise which don't involve a gym. Okay in the summer, but no so nice in the winter. Typically I go to a climbing wall (I call it vertical yoga) twice a week, run about a mile twice a week, use my bike at weekends (not very far, just to the shops etc), and in the spring, summer and autumn cycle to work 2 days a week (20 mile round trip). My problem is that I let it go all last year, due to not really caring enough. I had lost 10kg of the 20, and put 11kg back on in 12 months.

~Chameleon~

Why not try the classes? I've been going to the gym for around 5 years and can count on one hand the times I've actually gone into the fitness suite to use the equipment. Classes are far better. You have a structured programme, healthy competitiveness, a wide range of exercise and can easily make friends with the regulars. I frequently do spinning, body pump, circuits, body balance (tai chi/yoga/pilates), TRX and core strength classes.

Or, how about forgetting about the gym altogether and find a local bootcamp to join. Much fun, outdoors so plenty of fresh air and guaranteed effective exercise that leaves you buzzing. I'm sure once you've tried one you wouldn't want to go back into a stuffy, smelly gym again

paulineb_2

Get one of the gym instructors to make you up a gym programme so you aren't doing the same thing all the time. After years of doing classes I realised that I needed to lift some weights and use the machines, I still do classes, but scaled down a bit.

I'm not surprised you've lost your motivation to be honest. I go to a council run gym and yes the pool can be busy, its just finding the quiet times.

I get my gym programme updated every 6 weeks.

dandelionclock30

Get youself some free weights and a reasonable road bike and do it all youself. Obviously if you want to go swimming you have to go to the pool etc.
I think gyms are a waste of money and that its more economical and you get more fresh air being outside.Honestly look into a nice bike and if you cant stand the cold then get a cheap turbo trainer. You wont look back.