Gym lovers always have one goal in mind when going to the gym: to work out and burn excess fat so they can stay in shape and achieve better health. Most gym-goers will eventually realize that losing weight and getting in shape are not the only motivating factors for the regular attendant. People realize how quickly they get to meet new friends and know more people; hence, they expand their professional and non-professional networks.
So, Is Going to the Gym a Hobby?
Yes, going to a gym can become a hobby if you add more fun to your workout routine.
What Are The Key Signs That Show That Going To The Gym Is A Hobby For You?
Going to the gym regularly can improve your health condition because many health conditions or challenges can improve with moderate to high-intensity physical activities. There are times when you have little motivation to hit the gym when the whole idea becomes either a chore or choice for you. The following signs should indicate that going to the gym is a hobby for you instead of a function;
1. You Want to Go Out for Fun
The number one sign that the gym has become a hobby for you is when you actively and constantly want to go out for fun rather than for the other benefits the gym will provide.
This means you don’t want to be left out of an activity that will bring you gains. You may even twiddle your thumbs when you should be on the treadmill trying to beat your records. You may even find yourself subscribing to some outdoor group activities in those days when you are unable to hit the gym.
All these are signs that going to the gym is just a hobby for you and not for the functionality of the activity.
2. Having a Workout Routine
Developing a workout routine instead of mindlessly hitting the gym could mean seeing the gym as a hobby and not a chore. You may indulge in those weightlifting options like lifting the 5×5 and push-up split activities that can help you maximize your workout gains.
It is quite unfortunate that most gym-goers don’t follow workout routines adequately in the gym, which is a sign that they see their presence at the gym as a hobby rather than a chore.
3. You Only Take the Gym Serious in Certain Seasons of the Year
If you work out just before the summer approaches and then ignore your gym routine afterward, it simply shows you take the whole idea as a hobby rather than the real deal.
Many people will hit the gym in the winter season to build more muscles and prepare for the summer when they can flaunt their bodies. Once the spring season approaches, many will cut back on their calorie consumption to get slim and feel better in the summer.
If you see the gym as a chore, you will instead want to stay fit and athletic in all seasons rather than allow your body to regain all the weight loss in the winter and spring seasons.
4. You Talk About Your Gym Experience Non-stop
There is one sure way to discover people who only make the gym a hobby- they always talk and boast about their experience at the gym to whoever cares to listen. If you are eager to tell your family, friends, and colleagues about the amount of protein shake you consume in a day, the amount of fat you have lost, and your new gym routine, perhaps you are just a hobbyist and not a dedicated gym user.
When you talk about gym experience, you will notice that they will nod their head endlessly or show any other automated responses to make you think they are still paying attention. Bragging about their gym experience is one of the features of gym hobbyists.
The Essential Gym Etiquettes You Should Follow
Whether you are a gym hobbyist or the most severe gym user, you should follow certain gym etiquettes to achieve the best result to protect yourself and other gym users.
1. Dress to Achieve Success
Wearing the wrong clothing in the gym can cause discomfort, and that can reduce your chances of achieving success.
According to experts, you should wear spandex or polyester materials because cotton materials can absorb sweat, leading to bacterial growth and infection. Avoid wearing worn-out sneakers with a loose thread. Worn-out sneakers have less shock-absorbing properties, and they don’t create proper alignment of the feet with ankles and knees; hence you have higher accident risks.
Avoid wearing jewelry like rings, necklaces, and wristwatches at the gym increases accident risks. You must also avoid Ill-fitting clothing because it can cause breathing problems, leg cramps, and expose you to many other risks.
2. Constantly Keep to the Gym Time
Keeping on time will motivate you and give you have a sense of seriousness. Keeping to your gym time will tell others that you have good manners. You don’t want to disrupt other people by being late to the gym, and who knows, your promptness may be noticed by a prospective employer who also uses the gym.
3. Avoid Every Form of Distractions
Having a stop between your gym sessions may reduce your success rate. Avoid making phone calls and exchanging messages, but you can use your headphone as long as it doesn’t distract you when working out.
Making phone calls or playing loud music on your smartphone can also distract others.
4. Always Clean Up Before and After Yourself
Many people use the gym; hence you need to be careful, especially in this era where covid19 spreads fast and contracts the virus even from the surface of gym equipment.
Even if you are the first person to arrive at the facility, you must confirm if the machines have been cleaned by the gym staff. If not, you may want to have your own special towel for cleaning before use. Make sure you wear gloves while touching and using any gym equipment.
Keep all your items, especially your mat and water bottle, close to you throughout your gym session, instead of spreading such items all over the place. If you spill water or any substance on the floor or gym equipment while working out, clean it up immediately to protect other people and yourself from slipping.
Clean up after you as you move from one piece of equipment, and at the end, you must neatly pack your items and return whatever you borrow from the facility. Make sure you clean your hands and, if possible, your entire body after using the gym.
5. Respect People’s Personal Spaces at the Gym
Since the gym can get busy, it is important that you respect people’s space as much as you can. Don’t put your mat, for instance, beside someone that is using a treadmill, rather get your mat next to someone who is also using a mat. Putting your mat near someone using a treadmill may lead to accidents if the other person makes a mistake.
Keep a safe distance from heavy weightlifters to keep yourself and others safe. Your eyes should be fixed on your own machine screen and not the TV or other people’s workout equipment. Do not flirt or start a conversation with other gym users so as not to distract them and cause serious accidents.
Remember to follow all other gym rules, if you don’t, you may be suspended and your membership terminated.
6. Keep Track of Your Progress
Though you should avoid wearing pieces of jewelry when in the gym, smartwatches are however allowed, especially the ones that can track your calories and the number of steps taken. You can build on your achieved feat and try to break your own records, but at the same time, you must recognize your limitations.
Trying to lift weights beyond your limits can cause accidents or internal injuries; hence you should keep to activities that you can handle as long as you are getting the result. Don’t rush to achieve a fit body and weight loss overnight; it will surely take some time to attain your goals.
Conclusion
There is a thin line between being a gym hobbyist and taking the gym very seriously. A serious gym user may turn to a hobbyist later and vice versa. This is the reason why you need to understand your objectives right from the beginning and work towards realizing them. It would be best if you were mindful of the gym groups you join; joining the hobbyist group can make you lose focus and start going to the gym for a hobby. Similarly, joining a group of hardworking gym users can keep you motivated to attain your goals and objectives.
