8 February - Ditch the Gym Day
Gyms up and down the country will have seen a huge increase in joiners during the month of January as millions take to the treadmill to shift the festive pounds, but as most committed gym-goers have noticed the queue for the cardio machines doesn’t last long – in fact it’s just six-weeks!
Nuffield Health has identified the 8th February as ‘Ditch the Gym Day’. This date sees the largest drop in usage at the chain’s 66 Fitness & Wellbeing centres, with usage levels returning to ‘normal’ soon after.
Chris Jones, Head of Physiology at Nuffield Health comments: “The reason for identifying this date is to flag this ‘danger zone’ and provide some advice and motivation to ensure people don’t give up on their goals. There are practical things you can do to get through February.
“Six weeks into your programme is a tough time, you may not have seen the results of your hard work, the cold snap arrives and the sofa beckons. Our fitness teams are on stand by to help members through this period with free PT sessions, programme reviews and health MOTs, but we’re keen to flag this to all those who are struggling with New Year Resolutions on the brink of failure.”
Chris Jones’ five point plan for surviving DTGD:
Know your starting point – take a health MOT so you know your current health and fitness status
Set realistic, measurable goals and reward yourself for achieving them
Get some support - making slow progress is de-motivating, ask a fitness professional for help
Buddy up – enlist the help of a friend and plan immovable workout dates, put them in your diary and stick to them.
Vary your workouts – boredom could be your downfall; try new classes, use the pool or join a running club.
Research shows that is takes an average of 66 days (9-10 weeks) to form a new habit - described as behaviours which are performed automatically because they have been performed frequently in the past*. It also takes around 12 weeks to see the results of a new fitness regime which means that by March; gym-goers will be through the tough period, looking good, feeling healthier and making the exercise part of their life.
When members join Nuffield Health they receive a 12 point Nuffield Health MOT, a 60 minute comprehensive assessment which helps provide a starting point and basis for a fitness programme, it also enables progress to be tracked and rewarded.
Chris comments: “The members that take a repeat health MOT are much more likely to stick with it, get personalised support and reach their goals. 98% of members who have a health MOT say they understand much better what they need to do to improve their health and 7 out of 10 members get fitter and healthier in just three months. It’s a great tool for motivation.”
Other usage statistics show that the busiest day of the week to attend the gym is Tuesday and the quietest is Saturday – a great day to for a workout when classes are less busy and equipment is free.
Find out more at nuffieldhealth.com.
