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9 Signs It’s Time to Break Up With Your Gym
Breaking up with your pedicurist, tailor, and electrician? Easy. Breaking up with a best friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend? Way less easy.
But another tie that can be hard to cut—and hard to know when to cut? Your ties to your gym.
Between fitness plateaus, lack of cleanliness, and a way-too-long commute, there are tons of signs it's time to dump your gym—whether it’s a boutique studio or big box fitness facility. Below, nine reasons to join a different gym, according to experts.
RELATED: 10 Mistakes That Will Make Everyone Hate You at the Gym
The broken equipment isn't getting fixed
If you lived in an apartment with broken appliances that the landlord never got around to fixing, chances are you’d either take legal action or find a new place to live when your lease was up. Similarly, when equipment breaks, a well-run gym will take the necessary measures to get it fixed—and quickly, especially in the age of overnight shipping and TaskRabbit. If it’s taking weeks for broken equipment to get fixed, it’s reflective of a gym that either doesn’t have the funds or is apathetic about the conditions of the space. Either way, it’s a sign your gym deserves dumping.
It takes you longer than 30 minutes to get there
How often have you wished that there were more than 24 hours in a day? Exactly. Rhetorical question. Spending a long time commuting to the gym is an automatic reason to switch up your sweat session. For some people—depending on where you live—even 20 to 30 minutes may be too far. In cities, for example, it’s wise to pick a gym that’s within 15 minutes walking or subway distance. More than that, and it’ll be easy to find an excuse when it’s cold, dark, or late. If the gym is close, you’ll have one less excuse for subbing the barbell (or bootcamp) for Buffy reruns.
The fitness classes offered just aren't doing it for you
Maybe when you joined the gym you liked the class schedule and instructors. But somewhere along the way your fave instructor found a new job and the Pilates class you like was swapped with Zumba or a HIIT class you can’t get into (so. many. burpees!). Use this as an opportunity to scope out other gyms' class offerings. While you’re there, pay attention to the type and timing of the classes to know if they'll make things more exciting for you.
RELATED: 9 Thoughts Everyone Has the First Time They Try a Fitness Class
You're overpaying
A recent survey from supplement and fitness company Myprotein found that Americans spend an average of around $34,000 on gym memberships, personal trainers, or workout plans over their lifetimes. “One sign that should make you consider breaking up with your gym is when you start to balance your checkbook in order to afford it,” says iFit trainer Becca Capell. While the financial tipping point will be different for everyone, there are a number of affordable alternatives that fitness enthusiasts can use for the sake of their bank accounts. Capell recommends getting a treadmill or rower and a set of weights to build an at-home gym. There are also countless free fitness apps that are both challenging and accessible for every level.
The space is dirty
Gyms are filled with sweaty people. Some gyms cultivate a community where everyone wipes down their equipment after use. Some gyms don’t. But beyond just treadmill and kettlebell handles, there are tons of places in a gym that need to be cleaned. If there are hairballs in the corners, grime on the showers and sinks, dust on less popular equipment, and holes in mats or carpeting, it’s a dirty gym. Considering that you can pick up infections at a dirty gym, this should be an automatic out.
There's zero community
Forming a #fitfam may be more important to some people—CrossFit athletes and yogis, for example—than others. But if you haven’t made acquaintances within the first few months, it’s worth considering a swap, says certified strength and conditioning specialist Alena Luciani, founder of Training2xl. "I work at a place where everyone knows your name. But even if your gym isn’t that friendly, usually within three or four months, little communities are automatically formed by people who show up to sweat at the same time."
You’ll have to ask yourself if community is important to you personally, but a gym friend group can add an element of accountability and comfort. “At the very least, you don’t want to go to a gym with a bunch of dudes who annoy you,” Luciani jokes.
RELATED: My CrossFit Transformation Was Much More Drastic Than I Expected–But Not for the Reason You'd Think
The overall vibe isn't encouraging
“There’s definitely a vibe when you walk into a gym. If you walk in and the vibe makes you feel self-conscious or generally discouraged, switch gyms,” says Luciani. It’s a huge warning sign if the instructors and staff aren’t friendly and if the clientele put out a negative or overly competitive vibe. “You’ll be able to feel whether or not the gym's energy works for you within one or two visits. Pay attention to it."
It’s worth taking inventory of the vibe every few months, she adds. “A gym's vibe can change if there’s been an influx of new clientele, a change in management, or if your needs change, so keep checking in."
The gym uses high-pressure sales tactics
You know this game when you see it: You feel like you can't do a single bicep curl without a personal trainer trying to convince you to invest in some one-on-one training. “You don’t want to go to a gym where you feel like every time you walk in the door the trainers are trying to measure your BMI, talk to you about weight loss, or push their training on you,” says Luciani. For one, it’s annoying. But for another, it can create a body-negative, unsupportive environment. And if you don’t feel supported, you're more likely to skip your workout.
You've plateaued
If you’re a member of a gym or a boutique studio that only offers one type of workout and you’ve plateaued, you may actually need to switch up your fitness routine. “Ask yourself, 'Are these classes getting progressively more challenging? Am I getting stronger or better?'” says Luciani. If the answer is no, you might be doing yourself a disservice. “Your body will adapt to the fitness routine that you’re doing. You don't want your body to get too efficient. If you adapt, you plateau,” she says. The solution: Add something new to your routine at a new gym–or at least do something different a few days a week like getting outside, going on a run, or trying yoga, she says.
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News24.com | ANC calls for the public’s input on its internal sexual harassment policy
The ANC is inviting the public to make an input as the party rushes to finalise its internal sexual harassment policy amid sex scandals that rocked the party.
Two of its spokespersons, Pule Mabe and Zizi Kodwa, asked to step down from their responsibilities following allegations of misconduct.
“The African National Congress has embarked on a process to finalise and implement a sexual harassment policy for all its employees across the country. The development of this policy is a consequence of an internal process where an employee laid a grievance of sexual harassment against her supervisor,” said the party’s acting spokesperson Dakota Legoete.
“The outcome of that process was, amongst others; a directive by the panel that reviewed the complaint, that the ANC must develop and implement an internal policy on sexual harassment within 90 days of the ruling.”
Also read: ANC reiterates commitment to adopt own sexual harassment policy
Legoete said they have to date developed a policy which is now up for “discussion and consultations with staff at national and provincial levels”.
“We will also consult with the ANC Women’s League and the ANC gender commission and we will set up an advisory panel to give more inputs. The ANC also plans to solicit inputs from the Commission on Gender Equality on the policy before presentation to the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) for adoption by the end of March 2019,” he said
The ANC’s social transformation committee member, Nocawe Mafu, said last Sunday that the ANC may not have its own sexual harassment policy but it has ensured that the public was protected at work places through the policy which is enshrined in the labour relations act.
Also read: Sexual harassment is everywhere, ‘on all sides’ at Luthuli House – ANC’s Duarte
Explaining why the party needed the public to comment on the policy they were working on, Legoete said in a statement on Sunday: “This approach is premised on the acknowledgement that the manner in which the ANC, both as leader of society and a governing party, deals with sexual harassment in its internal environment is a public interest issue. Consequently, we invite members of the public to comment on the ANC’s draft sexual harassment policy.”
Comments should be submitted no later than 15 March, 2019.
Legoete said the draft policy will be made available on the ANC’s digital platforms for download.
Sport24.co.za | SA’s Harding wins Qatar Masters
Cape Town – Justin Harding won his maiden title on the European Tour after carding a final round 66 at the Qatar Masters on Sunday.
The South African made three early birdies to claim a share of the lead at the Doha Golf Club, but dropped down the field after two bogey. Meanwhile South Korea’s Jinho Choi notched a 64 to claim the clubhouse lead at 11-under-par.
Making his 54th start on the European Tour, Harding brought himself back in contention with a pair of birdies after the turn and then moved into a two-shot lead with birdies on three of his last four holes.
The clubhouse leader at 13-under, Harding had a nervous wait for the chasing pack to finish, with nine players tied for second at one point.
“It feels good. It was nerve wracking, especially coming off, it’s a situation I haven’t really been in. I didn’t enjoy it but it’s good fun, I’m glad it happened and now we move on,” he told the media after his round.
“I get into the events that I’d like to be into again, the schedules change, I’m no longer having to pick and choose. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens going forward and playing in some bigger events.”
Choi started the day seven shots off the lead, but notched a 31 over the first time to surge through the field, with birdies on the 12th and 18th securing him a tie for second.
Anton Karlsson (69) claimed a share of the lead after birdies on one, seven and 10, while Nacho Elvira (70) also birdied the 10th to claim a share of the lead.
Karlsson then dropped shots on 13 and 14, and although he recovered with birdies on 16 and 18, it wasn’t enough to match Harding’s late charge. Elviro also birdied the final hole but a bogey on the 17th brought an end to the Spaniard’s chanes.
George Coetzee (68) eagled the final hole to join the chasing pack on 11-under, while Christiaan Bezuidenhout (68), Jorge Campillo (68), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (70), Erik van Rooyen (70) and overnight leader Oliver Wilson (71) completed the nine-way tie for second.
One shot further behind was Thomas Detry (70), Andy Sullivan (68) and Fabrizio Zanotti (68).
News24.com | Mom of Driehoek pupil to get her dream wedding after car accident
The mom who had a car accident on her way to Hoërskool Driehoek after the tragedy hasn’t stopped smiling since her fiancé told her their good news.
Debbie Coetzee (46), who’d sustained head injuries in a car accident on the same day as a walkway collapsed at the school in Vanderbiljpark, Gauteng, is finally set to marry her fiancé of three years.
Kruger Crause (46) says their plan to get hitched at the end of February was sidelined by the accident on 1 February. But now they’ll be fulfilling their dream at the end of March – thanks to Good Samaritans who’ve offered to organise everything.
“Can you believe it? It’s so awesome! I’m over the moon,” Kruger says. “Debbie is so very, very happy. She can’t stop smiling.”
Kruger and Debbie had been planning on an intimate wedding ceremony on their employer’s farm – both work for Herza Auctioneers. But the accident put a spanner in the works.
On the morning of 1 February, Debbie had rushed to fetch her daughter Rizaan (14) and Kruger’s son Johan (15), both in Grade 8 at Hoërskool Driehoek, when the accident happened at the crossing at Vaal Mall.
Another car had allegedly turned unexpectedly, cutting her off and causing the collision. Debbie was flung out of the car and landed 30m from the vehicle. She sustained serious head injuries and was hospitalised for 18 days.
Lindie van Niekerk and her daughter Jeanne Jacobs run the restaurant Mimi se Plaaskombuis near Vanderbiljpark. Lindie was deeply touched by Debbie’s story when she read about it in YOU’s sister magazine Huisgenoot (7 March).
“I immediately felt I wanted to help them. When I read they’d postponed their wedding due to ‘circumstances’, I knew money was also a factor,” Lindie says.
“I called Kruger – he was emotional when I told him of my plan. He told Debbie and apparently she can’t stop smiling,” she adds.
“I feel if you’re able to do something kind for someone, why not?”
Kruger says they’d been planning an intimate wedding, and Lindie says her restaurant has space for 35 guests – exactly what the couple had in mind.
Lindie and Jeanne have since successfully reached out to potential sponsors. “We now have a photographer, flowers, décor and a wedding dress. We even found a place where they can spend their wedding night.”
Kruger says Debbie is recovering well and she’ll be returning to work tomorrow.
“Debbie’s doing well. She saw the doctor on Tuesday and she wants to wean herself off the medication and go back to work. He’s really surprised by her speedy recovery,” Kruger says.
“He told us it usually takes about four months for a patient with her injuries to recover to the point where she’s at. But Debbie is positive – she wants to be okay.”
Health24.com | 5 liver cleanse myths busted
It seems like every day a new diet pops up trying to convince us that its special formula is the ultimate weight loss and detox champion.
These juice cleanses and metabolism boosters all promise to flush out and completely cleanse the liver, guaranteeing quick results with minimum effort.
However, these false promises have caught the eye of the scientific community and they’re calling out the dishonesty.
We expose some of the common liver cleanse myths out there.
1. Regularly flushing out your liver is necessary
The liver is one of the main organs in our body responsible for flushing out toxins. This detoxifying organ comes into contact with all kinds of harmful substances on a regular basis. The myth states that due to this constant exposure to toxins, the liver becomes diseased and thus unable to efficiently perform its functions. One therefore needs to undertake regular liver detoxes to flush out these damaging toxins.
Science has found that detox diets and cleanses are in fact all a hoax. Complementary medicine professor Edzard Ernst, speaking to The Guardian, states that detox is a “word being hijacked by entrepreneurs, quacks and charlatans to sell a bogus treatment that allegedly detoxifies your body of toxins you’re supposed to have accumulated.” He adds, “The healthy body has kidneys, a liver, skin, even lungs that are detoxifying as we speak. There is no known way – certainly not through detox treatments – to make something that works perfectly well in a healthy body work better.”
2. A liver detox is the best way to lose weight
The myth stands that if you flush and cleanse your system after a bout of bad eating and drinking, this will lead to significant weight loss. These detox diets usually last between two weeks to a month.
Numerous studies have, however, found that the weight-loss claims of these diets are false. Scientists assert that the “weight loss” one sees is in fact water loss. This weight returns as quickly as it was lost as soon as you return to your normal eating patterns. Also, restricting certain foods from your diet for an extended period of time may actually cause more damage than anything else.
3. Juice cleanses are harmless
These diets tend to be high in fructose and sugar due to the raw fruits and vegetables found in juice cleanses. Consuming only these juices for more than a short period of time can drastically increase your blood sugar level.
Juice cleanses are also low in fibre and protein. Protein is vital for the body’s immune system as well as assisting with the building and regeneration of muscle. In an interview with Live Science, sport nutritionist Liz Applegate mentions that the lack of protein in these diets can be detrimental for your health. “Don’t be surprised that someone may well get sick because these plans are ghastly low in protein.”
4. Detox diets can repair liver damage
There are various products and natural remedies that are known to reduce the symptoms of liver damage. Milk thistle, with its anti-inflammatory properties, is often used to treat liver inflammation. Turmeric is also a great protector against liver damage.
However, research has found that detox diets have no effect on liver damage. In fact, restricting certain foods, like those high in protein, from your diet can have a negative impact on the liver’s enzymes and detoxing process.
5. Detox diets can speed up your metabolism
Many people go on detox diets in an attempt to speed up their metabolism. Being on a detox for a prolonged period of time may actually have the opposite effect. Drastically reducing your kilojoule intake tricks your body into thinking that you’re starving. Your metabolism therefore slows down in order to preserve energy.
Speaking to NBC News, professor of human nutrition, Marc Hellerstein, states, “Your body thinks you’re starving and panics. The metabolism slows way down to preserve your muscle and basic bodily functions.”
Image credit: iStock
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