We’re not in the fitness industry as much as we are in the “lifestyle” industry. While I have worked at over a half a dozen very different health clubs, the biggest thing I have noticed is that the key to long term success is creating daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly habits that last beyond the times you just don’t “feel like working out.”
A lot of people who come through the door at Elite have been members at other “gyms.” It is my job to not just show them we have a nice, clean, state of the art facility with lots of options, but also to help connect members to whatever will help them fully implement and support a lifestyle change.
Every once in awhile I get a new member who comes in and already has a set workout schedule completely integrated into their life. But, more often than not, a new member is looking to fit new activities into their already busy schedules.
While traditional workouts are great, finding a sport, activity, or class is often the key to success. These recreational activities not only force you to schedule the time to come in to the club, but they are also usually something that’s fun at the same time.
My first passion, is basketball, which is why I chose to start up a full court league at the club. While I try to stay consistent with lifting and cardio, I often ebb and flow in terms of doing these activities. But I am always playing in a basketball league and playing pickup games. This keeps me from getting into long lulls without any activity.
No matter how long I go without doing other types of workouts, I will never become that person who says, “I haven’t been active in 5 years.” I have an activity fully integrated into my life. So, I’m not as much working out as I am participating in healthy activity that I really enjoy!
There are many benefits to getting active through recreation:
- People who frequently take advantage of recreational activities have fewer doctor’s visits, lower body mass indexes and lower systolic blood pressures than those who don’t. This is probably from a combination of physically being in better shape and lower stress. Which brings us to…
- Participating in leisure and recreational activities can help you better manage stress and reduce depression. Leisure provides you the chance to find balance in your life; it also puts you in control of how you’re spending your time and is usually associated with enjoyment and true passion.
- Physical recreation, in particular, is associated with improved self-esteem. In addition, you’re more likely to feel satisfied about your life when you regularly take part in recreational activities. Usually you will meet new friends and gain confidence as you see improvements in your favorite activities that you do week after week.
So take this lesson and realize that “lifestyle” activities will always be the long term key to staying active and healthy!!!
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Written by Scott Eigenberg, Member Services Representative at Elite Sports Club – Brookfield
Scott has worked in the fitness industry for over a decade since he was in college. With a B.S. in psychology from Drake University, he is deeply focused on motivation, incorporating and maintaining healthy habits long term, and making fitness something that is fun, rewarding, and social. Fitness, while at times challenging, does not have to just be a chore to get done or to dread. It’s an amazing medium for looking and feeling your best, increasing confidence, functionality, and energy, and has so many health benefits as well. Live in passion and the rest will fall into place!