There has been an increase of individuals with chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease predominately due to the COVID 19 pandemic. More than 30% of Americans have reported not exercising on a regular basis or not at all and many of these same people are the majority of the individuals who have a chronic diseases or are obese. More Americans within the past year who have been diagonosed with a chronic disease or obese are being told by their doctors that they need to exercise to help with weight loss and lowering vitals such as their blood pressure, cholesterol and A1C.
Exercise is medicine and more doctors are starting to recommend their patients to exercise, which is good, but the patients are usually not given access nor guidance of what to do. Normally, when a person is at risk or have a chronic disease, their doctor tells them that they need to exercise, lose weight and eat healthier. After visiting with their doctor, and being diagnosed of their chronic disease and being told to exercise, some of these patients report leaving their doctor’s office feeling lost and confused. When some of these patients do try and start their exercise routines, many of them start off doing well in the begining trying to incorporate exercise into their lives but tend to quit after a couple of weeks because they are not educated on various exercises, no access to a gym or their motivation tends to decrease.
My experience from working in gyms that I see firsthand is how gyms sell memberships to these people with really no guidance or directions on how to use the gym. In some gyms, if a person joins and wants to learn how to use the machines properly, then for a hefty price, they can get a personal trainer to help them with their workouts. The average American usually cannot afford hundreds to thousands of dollars on personal trainers or health and wellness programs. I believe that there is a low retention rate for gyms because the members who join do not receive the guidance and support needed to continue and be successful.
It is highly recommend that you look for a gym that includes a consultation with a trainer that can teach you how to use the machines properly and can set up a workout routine for you to follow. but unfortunately, many gyms do not offer these types of services without a fee. A few places like the YMCA and Planet Fitness usually provide free wellness consultations with a wellness coach/trainer when you join. So, if you are lucky enough with your membership to have a gym that provides a trainer or wellness coach with to assist you in getting started on your fitness journey, then please take full advantage of that opportunity.
Also, if you are fortunate enough to afford a gym membership, then please go and use your membership. Please stop giving hundreds of dollars a year to these gyms and you only go twice the whole year. Guess what? Many of these gyms do not care if you come or not, as long as they are able to continue to withdraw membership fees from your checking account each month. How many of you are guilty of this? Paying for a gym membership and not going to the gym.
So, Follow your doctor’s orders and start exercising to reduce, prevent and manage chronic diseases.
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