It can be exciting to join a gym, but it’s also worth keeping that simply having a membership will not automatically lead you to become the healthiest version of yourself. It’s what you do in and around the gym, and for how long you do them, that will have the biggest impact. 

There are some all-too-common obstacles that can stand in the way of you reaching your fitness goals. The good news is that all of them can be overcome with the right solutions. In this post, we’ll run through some of the routine barriers that prevent people from becoming their fittest selves, as well as outline what you can do about them.

Infrequent Visits

As we said above, simply having a gym membership won’t do anything. It’s how much time you spend at the gym working out that’ll dictate your progress. You can’t expect to go once every week or two and notice a difference. Consistency is what will produce the best results. 

If you find that you’re not going to the gym as often as you’d like to, then look at reducing friction. Joining the gym that’s closest to your home/work will make it easier to attend. It’s also recommended to commit to going 2/3 times a week, even for just thirty minutes. Over time, you’ll notice results.

Inconsistent Nutrition

Your body needs the right nutrition to recover from your workouts and build muscle. If you’re not getting enough protein or eating healthy foods, then you’ll be leaving some of your potential gains on the table. 

Often, people end up with inadequate protein intake because they’re unsure of which foods to eat, or because they don’t like drinking thick, milkshake-style protein shakes. Incorporating a few protein-heavy ingredients into your diet, such as eggs and beans, and opting for clear protein powder, which is more juice-like, can be an effective way to easily increase protein consumption. It’s also important to eat well even on non-gym days.

Training Without A Program

It can be a little intimidating to go to a gym if you’re inexperienced. In that context, many people end up taking an ad-hoc approach to their training, simply doing whatever they feel like in the moment or using whichever machines are free.

That’ll get you used to being in the gym, but it probably won’t yield meaningful results. That comes from having a goal and a training program that helps you to achieve it. The solution? Book a session with a personal trainer. They’ll know exactly what you need, and can show you how to do it.

Lack of Patience

Finally, perhaps the number one reason why people don’t experience as much gym success as they would like to is that they give up before the effects of their efforts become noticeable. Things don’t happen overnight. The first few months are conditioning your body for what comes after. Don’t expect to see meaningful results before month 4 — instead, just focus on the process and trust that you will get there in time!