Comment posted on 10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Gym by Jules Jordon
Well I for one don’t have a whole lot of choice in regarding to choosing a gym. I’m using my local council gym, which isn’t bad really. We have good machines and good instructors and the times of days I go, it isn’t ever full!
One day I hope to have the cash to be able to opt for a gym of my choice, but today, I’m happy to go to a gym.
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This come in handy, since I’m thinking of changing my gym because there is no air conditioning there. And sometimes it’s full, and other times there noone there. Great post!
Well I for one don’t have a whole lot of choice in regarding to choosing a gym. I’m using my local council gym, which isn’t bad really. We have good machines and good instructors and the times of days I go, it isn’t ever full!
One day I hope to have the cash to be able to opt for a gym of my choice, but today, I’m happy to go to a gym.
Re: tax deductible gym memberships
I don’t disagree with the principles behind this – i.e. rewarding health-enhancing behaviours. But there are all kinds of problems with it: Many people who join a gym rarely or never use it, or use it ineffectively: Joining the gym does NOT necessarily equal improved health. Also, I’m not convinced that offering a tax credit will truly encourage people to join a gym or sport anyway – I doubt it’s a significant enough amount of money to get people off their asses, just like the public transit tax credit isn’t going to get people on buses and subways. Lasting motivation to exercise generally comes from within. Such a tax credit only benefits people who would join a gym regardless. I’m not necessarily against this, but believing the tax credit is something that will get Canadians moving is just naive. Furthermore, what about people who exercise at home and/or outdoors? Can you get tax credits for your running shoes and home fitness equipment? I’m betting not. In sum, the whole gym tax credit notion is nothing more than lip service to the idea of encouraging a healthy lifestyle among Canadians, not real action.
Jorge, thanks for your comments. Your words are written with conviction and passion. Written by someone who is passionate about health and exercise no doubt. I like that.
I had to smile when you mentioned about people having a gym membership and not even using it because a friend of mine comes to mind.
As for lip service, perhaps so. The government has been trying to offer options for Canadians to get healthy. Ie, special programs, the revival of Participacation, etc. The key point of my article was to take action and offer readers something to consider.
Sure, we can talk about doing this and doing that but if we don’t take action then our words are pointless. Ultimately, it is up the individual. Yes, as you said, lasting motivation, it comes from within.
I’m gathering my motivation as an adult.
Christina
Hey Christina! I’ve gotta say that this post brings back a lot of memories. I especially like numbers 1 and 2. As you might notice, being comfortable in a gym where I do my daily workouts takes priority over the others. Even if I’m not a woman, I do feel intimidated by some of the gyms I’ve tried where large guys dominate the scene and take up most of the space. I don’t know if I can explain it properly, but sometimes it makes me feel inadequate and uneasy being around them.
The quality of people handling the gym (staff and trainers) also ranks high in my book. I’ve had my share of both good and bad staff members, so I make a point of observing the staff in a gym before I make a long term commitment.