Fitness is at the center of what we do.
To Tilla Fit, fitness isn’t optional.
It’s something that every person needs.
Over the past year, we shared 52 reasons WHY people need fitness.
Now we shift to the next question.
HOW do you start?
HOW do you stay consistent?
HOW do you build a lifestyle that lasts?
HOW do you get results?
Over the next 52 weeks, we’ll answer those questions.
Here is week 4 of 52 on HOW to approach fitness.
“How to Actually Succeed at an Open Access Gym”
Last week, we discussed how to build a successful fitness routine from home.
This week, let’s talk about the second option we discussed: joining an open access gym.
Places like CF Fitness, Planet Fitness, Mammoth Fitness, and many others provide the tools you need to improve your health and fitness.
The question becomes: how do you make the most of it?
Step 1: Know What You’re Working Toward
Before you walk into the gym, know exactly what you want to accomplish.
Do you want to lose weight?
Build strength?
Improve your cardiovascular health?
Increase mobility and flexibility?
Have more energy throughout the day?
Write your goals down and determine how you will measure success.
A goal without a way to measure progress is simply a wish.
Step 2: Schedule Your Workouts
The biggest obstacle for most people is not the workout itself.
It’s getting through the front door.
Put your gym sessions on your calendar.
Two to four days per week is a fantastic place to start.
Each workout can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Treat these sessions like appointments.
You wouldn’t skip a doctor’s appointment or an important meeting. Don’t skip these either.
Step 3: Have a Plan Before You Arrive
One of the biggest mistakes people make is walking into the gym without knowing what they’re doing.
Have a plan.
If your goal is weight loss, start with 10-20 minutes of easy cardio. Then choose 2-3 exercises and perform 3-5 sets of 8-12 repetitions. Lift HEAVY
If you’re training more than three days per week, you can divide your workouts into body parts.
If you’re training two to three days per week, we generally recommend full-body workouts.
If your goal is strength, follow a structured program.
Strength gains come from progression.
The workouts should build from week to week, not be random every time you walk in.
If your goal is more energy, your workout will be very unique for you. Play around with different splits of cardio/weightlifting, and high intensity / low intensity. Everyone’s tank will fill in different ways based on different workouts.
Whatever your goal may be, consistency and progression matter far more than finding the perfect workout.
Step 4: Create Accountability
Fitness works when you keep showing up.
Find a training partner.
Tell your spouse.
Share your goals with friends.
Join a community of people who support your efforts.
The more accountability you create, the easier consistency becomes.
Step 5: Enjoy the Process
This is one that people often overlook.
You are doing something good for yourself.
You are using your body the way it was designed to move.
Enjoy the challenge.
Enjoy the progress.
Enjoy becoming stronger, healthier, and more capable.
Fitness shouldn’t feel like punishment.
It should feel like an investment in yourself.
The Bottom Line
An open access gym gives you all the tools you need to succeed.
The equipment is there.
The opportunity is there.
The environment is there.
Now your job is simple.
Have a goal.
Schedule your workouts.
Follow a plan.
Stay accountable.
And avoid constantly jumping from one workout style to another.
Give a good plan enough time to work.
This Week’s Action Step:
Before your next gym session, write down exactly what you plan to do.
Walk in with a purpose.
Complete the workout.
Then repeat it again next week.
Consistency beats complexity every time.