Columbia Athletic Clubs

How to have a successful experience with your club membership

 

This time of year, alot of folks start thinking about joining an Athletic Club.  The weather is getting colder, and the days are getting shorter, and an indoor exercise facility is the name of the game in the rainy pacific northwest. Many people think that enrolling in a club membership is the 1st ( and last) step in a successful fitness routine.  Here are some helpful tips in getting the most out of your new membership and developing a lasting fitness routine that will help you blow past your goals this Fall and Winter!

 

1) Join a club that you like to go to.  This may seem obvious, but most people, especially 1st time joiners, choose a club based on price alone.  Often low-price clubs are crowded, dirty, and poorly staffed.  That low cost can translate to a poorly maintained facility that is difficult to use. For example, do you want to spend 30 min waiting for a piece of equipment to get your workout done or would you prefer to workout and be out of there in 30 min and on your way home?

 

2) Join a club that is close by.  Statistics show that if a club is further than 10 min away, and off your beaten path, you are far less likely to use it.

 

3) Make a lifestyle change.  Joining a club for a quick fix almost never works.  Choosing to be more active  takes work, commitment and dedication, but mostly, it takes a little nit of planning. It takes about 3 weeks to build a habit, so schedule your visits to the club during your 1st 3 months and stick to that schedule.  Once it becomes a habit, you will long forget what it was like to NOT go to the club on your way home from work each day.

 

4) Hire a trainer. Most clubs include a free 1hr Personal Training session with new membership.  Many people put off or do not take advantage of this service when they enroll, and this can be a detrimental decision. A certified trainer can help evaluate your current fitness level, and help build a structured plan for achieving your goals.  By gaining the advice of a professional, you will maximize your potential for success and won't be spinning your wheels when you come to the club. Being able to quantify your success , leads to a huge sense of accomplishment as you make step-wise increases towards achieving your objectives.

 

If you would like to schedule a membership consultation or just need some advice in how to be more successful with your current club membership, contact Ben Bloom , Membership Director , Columbia Athletic Clubs - Sliver Lake at 425-745-1617 ext 2232 or benb@columbiaathletic.com