Top 6 Tips For Your First Month At Our Health And Fitness Centre

Top 6 Tips For Your First Month At Our Health And Fitness Centre

Congratulations and welcome to the Freedom Family. We are thrilled to have you join our supportive and friendly community, committed to helping you every step of your fitness journey.

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As you start your first month at our fitness centre, this blog will provide you with our top tips to make the most of your membership. We will cover everything from setting achievable goals to exploring our facilities and classes.

These tips will help you make the most of your first month and build a solid foundation for long-term fitness success.

1. Check Your Benefits

When you signed up, you selected one of our packages, each offering a wide range of incredible benefits. If you need a quick reminder of what is included, no worries—simply CLICK HERE for a detailed overview of each type of membership. 

Alternatively, take a look at the table below for an overview of the perks for each membership.

Here is an overview of some of the lesser-known benefits avaliable to most, if not all, our memberships:

1. Personal Induction

You might feel confident in the gym, but a personal induction with a qualified fitness instructor—included with all gym memberships— is the best way to ensure you are using the equipment safely and effectively. 

2. Personalised Fitness Programme 

Included in all gym-based memberships, you will have access to a fitness programme that is specifically tailored to your goals, fitness level, strengths, and weaknesses. 

3. Free Parking

Time is valuable, and not having to worry about finding a parking spot means you can focus on your workout rather than logistics. That is why we offer free parking to all our members. Whether you are squeezing in a quick workout before work or heading to a fitness class, free parking ensures you are always on time and stress-free. 

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4. Priority Booking

This benefit allows certain members priority booking for group exercise classes, giving them the ability to reserve a spot four days in advance, while non-members can only book 3 days ahead.

5. Expert Team Support

The most valuable resource our membership offers is our dedicated team of fitness professionals. From words of encouragement to expert advice, our friendly and welcoming staff are here to support you every step of your fitness journey. 

6. Cross-Site Usage

Your membership is not limited to just one location. With cross-site usage, you gain access to four additional centres across the New Forest, including: Totton, Applemore, Lymington, and Ringwood. This means you can enjoy the exceptional facilities at all our locations. 

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2. Be SMART With Your Fitness Goals

When beginning your fitness journey, it can be tempting to set unrealistic goals in the hope of achieving fast results. However, this approach often leads to disappointment and a resulting lack of motivation. It is no surprise then that approximately 43% of people abandon their fitness goals within the first month of starting them.

That is why we encourage setting up SMART goals to guide your fitness journey. 

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The SMART anagram can be broken down as follows:

• Specific- Clearly define what you want to achieve. 
• Measurable- Ensure your goal can be tracked.
• Attainable- Set a goal that is realistic based on your current fitness level and time available.
• Relevant- Your goal should align with your broader fitness objectives.
• Timely- Set a deadline to achieve your goal.

For instance, instead of the vague goal of "I want to get in shape," we can turn this into a more manageable and achievable SMART goal like, "I want to lose 10 pounds over the next 3 months by working out 4 times a week and following a balanced diet."

3. Download Our Fantastic App

At Freedom Leisure, our goal is to make your fitness journey as easy and stress-free as possible, so the only effort you need to put in is during your workouts at the gym. To achieve this, we have created a fantastic app that streamlines nearly every aspect of your experience.

Here are some of the incredible features our app offers:

• Book from our diverse range of fantastic group exercise classes.
• Get the latest news and updates about your centre.
• Check out the current timetable to see all upcoming activities.
• View and amend your existing class bookings.
• Sign up from home for our incredible memberships.

To download now, visit the iOS or Android app stores and let our app take the hassle out of your fitness routine.

4. The Early Bird Catches The Worm

We offer a diverse timetable of group exercise classes that cater to every taste and fitness level. Due to the popularity of these offerings, they tend to be in high demand and often reach full capacity relatively quickly. 

We strongly encourage you to take advantage of your perk of priority booking to secure your spot as early as possible to avoid missing out on these fantastic classes. 

To do this on the app, simply follow the following simple steps:

1. On the app homepage, tap the 'Class Timetable' button. 

2. Browse through the available class listings, paying attention to the number of spaces, time, and location. When you find a class you are interested in attending, simply click on it to proceed.

3. You will now be delivered to a seperate screen for the selected class full of additional information, now simply hit the 'Book Now' button to secure your place in this class.

5. Get Acquainted With Your Centre

Your initial visits should focus on familiarising yourself with the layout of our centre. Take some time to explore the key areas:

Gym:  Our state-of-the-art facility features the latest fitness equipment and machines to support you in reaching your goals.

Pool:  Our welcoming pool is the perfect environment to take a relaxing dip or practice your stroke.

Studios:  We have two studios, each designed to accommodate our various group exercise classes.

Spin Studio:  This is a dedicated space for our high-energy Studio Cycling classes led by our passionate instructors.

Sports Courts:  Our sports hall features courts that can be booked for a range of sports, including basketball, badminton, pickleball, and much more.

Health Suite: Our incredible sauna and steam room are the ideal way to relax after a stressful day at work or a tough workout.

While you will likely be eager to explore the main attractions of our centre, it is also important to familiarise yourself with other amenities, including the changing rooms, water fountains, seating areas, and lockers.

There is plenty of signage to guide you, but please feel free to ask a member of staff for directions if needed—they will be more than happy to assist.

6. Variety Is The Spice Of Life               

With so many fantastic group exercise classes available to choose from, it can sometimes feel rather overwhelming when beginning your fitness journey.

We recommend trying a variety of classes to discover what you enjoy and what might not suit you. Is there a class you have been avoiding? Give it a try- it might just become your favourite. 

Here are some classes that are ideal for beginners: 

• Pilates: Focuses on core strength, flexibility, and overall body conditioning in a supportive environment.
• Aqua Aerobics: Offers a low-impact workout using the resistance of water, making it easy on the joints while providing a full-body workout.
• Les Mills Body Balance: Combines elements of yoga, tai chi, and pilates to improve flexibility, strength, and balance in a calm and structured setting.
• Yoga: Provides gentle stretching and relaxation, helping to enhance flexibility and mental well-being.
• Stretch and Tone: Features a mix of strengthening and flexibility exercises using body weight and optional free weights.

There is no need to worry about being a beginner or feeling out of place—our group exercise community is warm and supportive, with everyone focused on accomplishing their fitness goals.

What Are You Waiting For?

With these valuable tips in hand, you will be fully equipped to make the most of your first month at our fitness centre. Whether you are exploring new classes, familiarising yourself with the equipment, or finding your own routine, we are confident you will settle in quickly and start seeing progress.

From all of us at the centre, we wish you the very best on your fitness journey and look forward to supporting you through many months of success and personal growth. Remember, our team is always here to help whenever you need guidance or encouragement.

Not A Member Yet? Head Here To Sign Up Now To Start Your Fitness Journey And Make A Positive Impact On Your Life Today