Posted - November 6, 2012

Get Slim at Your Gym

Get Slim at Your Gym

Get Slim at Your GymFinding the perfect fitness center in North Dallas after weight loss surgery

Where do you work out? If you’ve been taking advantage of the beautiful fall weather in Dallas, then you might be spending your workouts at a local park or outside in your neighborhood. Others may prefer sticking to the comfort of home, burning calories with a fitness DVD or at-home exercise equipment.

After weight loss surgery, both of these approaches can work well, and you should make a point of exercising in whatever way makes your workouts most comfortable and enjoyable. However, if you haven’t tried working out at a gym, you may be missing out on the many benefits offered by a professional fitness center.

Gyms are able to afford equipment, classes and instructors beyond the price range of the average fitness enthusiast. At a gym, you’ll work out side by side with others, giving every exercise session a social element (you may even meet a new workout buddy). A gym membership will grant you access to the safety and support of a professional staff, helping you adjust to your fitness needs after weight loss surgery and ensure that everything goes smoothly.

The benefits of hitting the gym are many, but so are the gym choices available. Dallas is absolutely brimming with gyms competing for your business, and not all of them will be right for you. Because picking a gym can sometimes seem as hard as the workout you do there, these tips will help you find a fitness center fit for you:

Focus on the features.

All of us have different interests when it comes to exercise, and this should play a big role in your gym decision. Do you want to try something new like yoga, Zumba or Pilates? Finding a gym membership that offers classes in these activities may be a priority. Are you more interested in basic offerings like exercise bikes, elliptical machines and weight lifting? You may not need much more than a simple package from a standard gym.

Picking activities you like will make you more likely to stick to your routine, so it’s important to find a gym where you’ll have no shortage of things to enjoy. If you need personal attention, you may want to find a gym with personal trainers, or join a small yoga or Pilates studio that lets you work closely with instructors. Think of everything you really want in a gym, then find one that meets your expectations.

Find something close.

Though you may have your heart set on a great gym on the other side of town, you have to consider what an impact that distance will have on your motivation. A 15-minute drive may not seem like much right now, but it can quickly become an excuse to skip your workout if you’re already tired or having a difficult day.

The easier it is for you to get to the gym, the more likely you are to make full use of your membership. This doesn’t mean your gym has to be next door to your house—finding one between your office and home can make it easier to stop for exercise on the way home. Think about when you’d like to exercise and where will be most convenient for your schedule.

These are some of the most important considerations when it comes to picking a gym after weight loss surgery, but they aren’t the only ones. What’s your favorite gym in the Dallas area? Tell us about where you work out in the comments below.