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Not sure where to work out in town? Here are some gyms in Columbia, Mo that you should check out once you're ready - for new gym-goers and (future) former clients.
It's becoming more normalized to see a woman who wants to feel stronger, fitter, and more confident.
Over 95% of the clients that I've trained since 2015 have been women. As a son, friend, hopeful future-father, and personal trainer, I am so happy to see women lifted up.
Periodically, I conduct interviews to learn a little more about the problems that I'm solving for clients.
One of my proudest moments so far was to hear my former client Ashley positively talk about her new self.
Before Ashley started training she noted;
"I just didn’t want that big, open, loud environment. I wanted something more private so I could get through my insecurities and build up that confidence to where eventually I could get into the gym".
Now, Ashley has a hold of what she needs and wants to do. She's good on her own and she has a gym membership.
When I first started training, I traveled to client's homes and offices as I built up the confidence to secure a space of my own. Over time, I try to teach my clients how to leave me. That means we need to talk about what you do outside of the studio.
I've been fortunate enough to grow my network. If you need new shoes, physical therapy or, anything else, it helps my clients a lot more than having to Google search it on their own.
These are places that I mention by the way:
With that in mind, you might find yourself looking for a gym membership after you reach your goals. (Dear future clients, I wrote this for you).
Let's talk about gym memberships, how much they cost, and how you can stay active.
Here are some of the best gyms in Columbia, MO that I have recommended to clients in the past:
Related Reading: A Workout plan you follow at Planet Fitness
A gym membership is worth it if you know what you want to get out of it. When you pay for a membership to a local gym, you're paying to meet people and rent space.
Gym equipment can be very expensive. A squat rack on its own can easily cost over $550.
By paying a monthly (or yearly) membership fee, you avoid:
In addition to weights and treadmills, gyms are also home to members that you'll develop relationships with over time. If you're looking to stay motivated, developing a sense of community may help hold you accountable.
Gym membership in Columbia will run you anywhere from$10 to $50+ per month.
Depending on what you're looking for, you can find a gym on different sides of town that may suit your needs and budget.
When you pay membership at a gym, you want to look at this the same way that you do restaurants:
Some gyms are large, have more amenities, and therefore, bigger costs associated.
Frequently included in the price, some gyms allow access to additional classes and services.
A beginner should ask the front desk for help for a walkthrough when visiting a new gym.
When I was in the market, I thought about how I wanted to train and the time of day that I expected to exercise.
If you call, you can often get answers to a few great questions:
Every gym will have its own set of rules, hours, and standard operating procedures. Calling ahead can help you feel more comfortable when you walk in.
If you lock in a long-term membership or pay upfront, most gyms offer some sort of discount.
Some gyms pay a referral bonus if you can get your friends to join with. Also, there are typically specials run at the beginning of the year for several months or dollar amount off of regular pricing.
If you know that you're ready to commit to a gym membership, it might be worth your while to wait until around New Years'.
Also, be sure to check with your employer to see if they provide discounted or free gym memberships. Some employers will often reimburse employees who are looking to improve their health (read productivity).
Planet Fitness is a good gym if you're willing to workout without Barbells.
Working with the limitations in equipment, I have written programs for clients that involve all the major movement patterns:
Dumbbells, fixed barbells, and the machines housed at Planet Fitness will allow you to create some sort of training effect involving some sort of exercise variation of the above.
When you're ready to pick out a local gym, keep your budget, schedule, equipment needs, preferences, and anything else you need in mind before committing.