This past week, I had three different conversations with women who all said the same thing:
“I have a gym membership… but I never go.”
Not because they don’t care about their health. Not because they’re unmotivated.
But because most gyms weren’t made for them.
When people think of “joining a gym,” they usually picture a big commercial space. Rows of treadmills. Dozens of machines. A handful of group classes.
And while that can work for a small percentage of the population — for most, it just doesn’t.
It really only works if someone:
- Shows up consistently without needing accountability
- Has a clear, customized training program to follow
- Knows how to execute every exercise with proper technique
- Pushes themselves — even when no one’s watching
- Progresses the difficulty of their training week after week
- Maintains good form as the weights increase
- Enjoys the experience enough to keep going — but not so much that it turns into social hour
That’s a lot to ask of someone who’s just trying to figure it out on their own.
Maybe you know someone like this…
- They mostly use the treadmill when they go to the gym
- They stick to a few machines they’re familiar with
- They do some ab exercises on the mat
- They aren’t sure what else to do — or if they’re doing it right
- They feel like they’re putting in effort, but not seeing results
- They’ve thought about personal training, but it felt too expensive or impersonal
- They’ve tried group classes, but felt awkward, out of place, or worried about injuryThis is extremely common.
And it’s part of nearly every first conversation that happens when someone is trying to finally get on track with their fitness.
If that sounds like someone you know, I’d encourage them to at least have a conversation with a personal trainer — not just to “work out,” but to see if they can find someone who:
- Customizes their training based on their exact ability levels and goals
- Doesn’t run them through the same workout they give to everyone else
- Doesn’t give the same version of squats, or push-ups, or rows to every client
- Takes the time to understand what brought them to the gym in the first place
- And knows how to make fitness not only effective, but actually enjoyable
That kind of training experience exists.
And for many people, it makes all the difference.
— James Pratt