12 Tips for Maximizing Your Gym Time

If you’ve recently moved into a new condo with its own fitness center or bought an annual membership at your new neighborhood’s gym, you’d want to make the most of your investment—whether it’s part of your dues or an additional expense altogether. Here are some tips for working out smart, taking advantage of everything the gym has to offer, and reaping all the benefits:

1. Determine your fitness goals and create a gym plan to achieve them.

Think hard about what you want to achieve by going to the gym. Do you want to lose weight or just tone? Do you want to bulk up and get abs? Do you just want to improve your health or are you just training for a marathon? Your goal will determine what activities and machines you should focus on at the gym. Create a plan, program, or schedule around this. 

According to Shape.com, "Your primary objective (weight loss, endurance, strength) should influence the volume (amount you do), intensity (how light or hard/heavy) and the mode (cardio, resistance exercises, stretching programs) of every workout, which is why [Michele Olson, Ph.D., professor of exercise science at Auburn University Montgomery and creator of the Perfect Legs, Glutes & Abs DVD] says it's so important to take the time to meet with a qualified trainer at your gym for an assessment and to help create your goal-specific program.” Which brings us to our next point.

2. Work with a personal trainer. 

A caveat: Personal trainers will cost you. They can charge per session or for a set number of sessions. But as EverydayHealth.com argues, “They can be pricey, but if you’re a gym virgin with no idea how to use the preacher curl machine, these pros can show you how to use the equipment properly and tailor a routine to your specific needs. Overall, they’re a great investment.” They can also help push and motivate you, as well as keep you focused.

The good news is, most gyms offer at least one free one-on-one session with a personal trainer when you sign up, so take advantage of this freebie. It will usually involve a fitness evaluation, after which the trainer will draw up a personalized workout routine for you. This way, you learn which machines and exercises will help you speed up your progress and achieve your fitness goal, especially if it’s weight loss. Don’t forget to ask how the different machines work, especially unfamiliar ones, and pick up some exercise techniques so you avoid any injury.

Another way to save on trainer costs is to share one with a friend. Split the cost per session with one or more friends if the trainer will allow it, or inquire about small-group rates.

3. Read up on exercises online and from fitness magazines and bring them when you workout.

Is having a personal trainer really not for you? No worries—just read up on weight training and mat exercises from fitness websites and magazines then take this knowledge with you when you workout. Clip sections or bookmark them on your phone for easy reference. 

4. Get to know the equipment.

Aside from exercises, also read up on how to use different equipment available at the gym so you know how to maximize their benefits and use them safely—you don’t want to risk injury. Besides reading up and watching tutorials on YouTube (bookmark them on your phone so you can consult them anytime), you can also ask someone at the gym to teach you—you don’t need a trainer for that. Knowing about the different exercise machines will give you more confidence to try them—that way, you’ll know what you might actually like and what will end up working for you.

5. Use different machines.

“If you always use the treadmill, you’ll get bored and stop seeing results. So go beyond those you know and take advantage of all the machines at your gym—the stationary bike, the elliptical, etc.—to work different muscle groups and get a more well-rounded workout,” points out Reader’s Digest. This way, you also know what your body likes and doesn’t like. 

6. Sign up for all classes offered.

Besides exercise machines, most fitness centers offer classes—everything from spinning and yoga to circuit training, aerobics, Zumba, and CrossFit. Check the available schedules, then experiment and try all of them since they’re already included in your membership! If you’re not sure a class is for you, pick a spot at the back close to the door and participate in the first 10-20 minutes. No need to go through the entire class—if you don’t think it’s for you, it will be easy to slip out without disrupting the class. Bonus: You already got a 10-20-minute warm up in the process!

Complementing your cardio and weight training with classes will help you achieve better results and keep your routine more interesting. This is also a great way to meet people who can motivate you, which will be useful in our next tip. As HappyBodyFormula.com explains, “There’s no better way to commit to a solid workout [than] to work it into someone else’s schedule…the class accountability system can be incredibly powerful. It gives you a time and a place to be, plus structure and motivation from your class leader…the community aspect of it and the set time will help keep you wanting to come back for more.”

7. Have a gym buddy.

Whether you only met them at the gym (by attending classes, as mentioned above) or you came with friends who have fitness goals like you do, working out with a pal will help motivate you to stick to your goals. Someone can hold you accountable for showing up and achieving results, and you can do the same for that person. Going with someone at a regular schedule can also help prevent both or either of you from backing out. And having someone with you at the gym can boost your confidence and ease any insecurities or anxieties you may have about going, especially if you’re only starting out. You can even teach each other new things, encourage each other to get out of your comfort zones, and maybe even get a friendly competition going to help you improve.

"You start going to the gym on your own willpower, but it's often others you see at the gym — a trainer, workout partner or even the front desk attendant who knows your name and offers their support — that motivate you to keep going back," Sam Zizzi, professor of sport and exercise psychology at West Virginia University, explained to Chicago Tribune. “And research shows that healthy habits can be contagious among people in the same social circle.”

8. Focus on working out—not chitchat or social media.

While having a workout buddy is fun and useful, “Your time is valuable, so don't use your workout as your social hour…don't fall into the gossip trap; save it for your post-gym coffee break, and focus on your workout while you're at the gym,” reminds PopSugar.

9. Bring your own music.

One smart yet simple way to stay focused and mind your own business? Put your headphones on while you work out to your preferred playlist. Not only does listening to your favorite songs help pump you up and get you in the groove, “it allows you to zone out those around you… Rather than worrying what these people think…keep your headphones in, your head down, and just focus on YOU. Block out your troubles from the work day, the stress from your home life, or the worry of tomorrow’s big presentation,” advises NerdFitness.com.

10. Go regularly.

You already signed up for it; just go for it. “The more time you allow to lapse between gym visits, the harder it will be to get back into your routine. So try not to let more than a couple of days go by between visits… Remember, to maximize the money you’ve spent on your gym membership, you have to show up, believe in your abilities and work hard. The more time and effort you invest, the bigger the payoff for your body and your overall health!” according to Reader’s Digest. If you spend enough time at the gym, you’ll soon find yourself finding the willpower to stay disciplined, working harder, and pushing yourself to get outside of your comfort zone.

11. Avail of all membership perks.

You’ve already paid a significant sum on that gym membership or a condo that has a fitness center, so don’t throw money away by letting any of the benefits included in your membership go to waste. “Take them up on free personal training sessions, group classes, guest passes and swag like T-shirts or discounts at local restaurants and juice bars,” suggests Forbes.

12. Utilize foam rollers.

And one specific gym perk you probably aren’t taking advantage of but should: foam roll. “Showing your muscles some love will help you stay flexible and stick with your routine by preventing injury. And since there's always a supply of foam rollers at your gym, you can massage your muscles easily while you're there,” recommends PopSugar.