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When starting a new venture, people often find it tempting to purchase every product or service related to the activity, especially for weight loss. As a result, people spend hundreds or thousands of dollars annually purchasing diet-focused cookbooks, exercise equipment, meal planning apps, etc. While nothing is wrong with buying items you find helpful, so much spending is wasteful and unnecessary. However, the most unnecessary purchase may be a gym membership.

So many people have gym memberships they pay for and rarely use. These memberships are often one of the earliest purchases on a weight loss journey because people assume it is a necessary part of that journey. As usual, assumptions are incorrect; in this case, the thought is inaccurate on multiple levels. Essentially, weight loss comes down to nutritional or dietary changes and increased aerobic or physical activity. The location of exercises or activities plays little role in effectiveness, so why waste your money in the early stages of your health journey?

Gym Owners Bet Big on Unused Memberships

Gym ownership is a potentially profitable business. According to recent statistics, one in five American households has a gym or health club membership, equating to roughly 184 million members spread throughout 210,000 facilities. Depending on the pool of members, a relatively small gym pulls in about $20,000 per month or somewhere between $200,000 and $300,000 per year — not bad for a business with low overhead.

The best part about income for gym owners is that most of the money is passive, meaning they do nothing but watch the checks come in. Too many people pay for their memberships but never use them. Gym owners bank on the idea that only 23% of members use their memberships, meaning a staggering 77% of memberships go unused.

Gyms and Self-Image

If you are beginning your weight loss journey, a gym might not be the best environment for you. Many people looking to lose weight feel uncomfortable and out of place at a gym.

When someone new to working out walks into a gym filled with fit individuals cranking out sets and running like gazelles on treadmills, it is natural to feel strange and unwelcome. Unfortunately, too many people let that feeling deter them from a healthier lifestyle.

While a gym is a place of physical fitness, the level of intimidation can discourage people, especially those already in a fragile place. People struggling with their weight often struggle with self-image issues, and a gym can perpetuate those problems.

A Sidewalk and a Goal

Are you ready to lose some weight and get active? Take a beat before you purchase all sorts of exercise equipment and dietary tools. You do not need to spend exorbitant sums of money to live a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Exercise scientists recommend a person focuses on developing a habit with only 30 minutes of exercise per day. Exercise does not have to be grueling. In fact, a 30-minute walk is an excellent form of aerobic exercise. The genuine beauty of exercise is you do not have to do it all at once. You can split your 30 minutes into two 15-minute or three 10-minute walks. You are in control.

You do not need a gym to lose weight. Most people that have gym memberships do not use them, and gym owners bank on nonuse. When you are ready to lose weight, save money and take a walk.