Those of us that train regularly know how the constant process of breaking down, resting and then challenging your muscles to greater feats of strength and endurance the next week can drain your phsiologocal and mental resources. We have training in our veins and the obsession is a cruel mistress, so grating is the process that we feel compelled to take time off wherever we can, getting enough recouperation is crucial for making gains. At the same time when we do rest we are powerless to halt that creeping feeling of guilt that pesters us as we feel any time off we take is a missed opportunity to improve.

 

At some point the continual, unrelenting regime of hard training will get to you, everyone experiences this feeling. What action to take at this time is what separates the successful go-getters, those with gifts from the stragglers and excuse makers. You could simply carry on with your current routine but the tedium that sets in means you won’t work at the required intensity level. Another option would be to change your workout plan, or the days you visit the gym, anything to inject some zest into your program. The other option of course, would be to join a different gym entirely.

 

Yearly memberships to a new gym would make great gifts for him or gifts for her and really will give your fitness program a kick up the backside. A new gym provides fresh scenery, staff, facilities, and crucially new members to train with and benchmark yourself against. It is true that you shouldn’t compete with others, only yourself, but deep down, we all know that a new set of fellow trainers subconsciously gives you a new set of targets to aim for. Add to this that the slightly different equipment in each gym will challenge your muscles in new ways and you have every reason to switch health clubs, juts make sure to cancel your membership at your current centre!