Research reveals two in five (45%) Australians aged 25-34 and over half (54%) aged 35-44 describe their day at work as mostly sitting1. Therefore, it’s understandable that with New Year resolutions in full swing, health and fitness are top of mind for people across the country. In fact, more than one in three (36%) are motivated to improve their fitness, whilst 33% are committed to losing weight2.
With gyms across the country offering an abundance of New Year deals, experts are warning first-time gym goers to exercise caution before committing to offers that seem too good to pass up. Especially with more than 1.2 million Aussies overspending on gym memberships, costing a whopping $5.4 million per year3.
Elaine Jobson, MD & CEO of Jetts Fitness believes healthy lifestyles should be accessible for all and flexibly fit around a person’s individual circumstances.
“While we advocate for a consistent year-round approach to fitness, the new year is a pivotal time for a lot of people, especially in relation to making proactive decisions to exercise more and prioritise their overall health and wellbeing. Yet the decision to join a gym or start a new fitness regime can be a big commitment and be influenced by a multitude of external factors from budget considerations as well as other time commitments,” Jobson says.
“As we’ve all experienced, our motivation, availability and priorities shift all the time, so it’s important to invest in a gym that understands this. You don’t want to be tied into having to make payments, or worse still have to pay out a contract. Working out should be on your terms because life is busy enough and your time is precious. That is why no lock in contracts offer the peace of mind, flexibility and fitness freedom that is crucial in today’s society,” Jobson says.
To ensure Aussies are clued up and starting their fitness journey well informed, Jobson has provided her top five tips for selecting the right membership:
- Always read the small print!
- Beware of the great offer. Make sure you do the sums on what you have to pay and commit to long term. Look for customer reviews online such as on Google. Even if it’s a bad review, how did the club handle it? This will give you a feel for how the club treats members and value customer service.
- Visit the gym and check out their socials, do you like the club culture and vibe, does it offer the equipment you need?
- Demand that you get the lowest rate on the most flexible option, if not, walk away. There are so many great options out there with flexibility.
In the wake of a nationwide brand transformation, Jetts Fitness are making small but powerful changes to their gyms to cater to the changing fitness landscape. In the last few years, there has been a focus on fitness designed for longevity, reflecting a growing awareness that regular exercise has a positive impact on overall health and wellbeing. As such, consumers are wanting more functional training spaces to mimic and simulate activities performed in daily life, as well as a focus on recovery to prevent injury and promote mobility.
“Given 24/7 accessibility to gyms has revolutionised the fitness industry in recent years, we predict that people working out on their terms and to their schedule will continue to be a priority in 2024. Working out is no longer about the short-term gains; it’s about adopting a lifestyle that supports your wellbeing in the long run and that is sustainable,” Jobson says.
“Maintaining health and fitness resolutions set at the beginning of the year starts by having a mindful approach to choosing a gym, finding the right fit and spending more time at the beginning of the process to ensure you’re finding the right fit for you.”
In the new year, people are naturally eager to kickstart their health and fitness resolutions. Amidst the deluge of fitness information, they are encouraged to opt for a gym membership that provides them with fitness freedom, allowing them to find success long after the initial New Year’s resolution fervour and invest in their long-term personal fitness and wellbeing goals.
For more information head to https://jetts.com.au/