Why going to the gym to reduce weight could be a waste of time and money or not.

Don’t get me wrong on this one, working out is a great way to keep fit and manage your weight. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity Aerobic exercises per week incorporated with strength exercises 2-3 times per week. this should also include flexibility exercises as well.

It definitely makes sense why you would want to go to the gym to reduce weight, well I would too, or could I?

In our previous article on weight loss, we highlighted a few causes of weight gain. understanding what is causing the weight gain could help you decide if the gym is the best alternative or not. If the issue is with the thyroid gland, then a gym would be recommended once the treatment for thyroid dysfunction has commenced or has been completed.

Injuries

Back injuries, hamstrings, ankle and shoulder/elbow pain are among the most complaints I have attended to among those attending gym sessions. In most instances, it takes some time for them to recover and whatever benefits they had gained could be lost by then.

Why do we have injuries? Most gyms in our locals are started by enthusiasts of fitness and not necessarily qualified health fitness coaches or physiotherapists. Lifting techniques, determining the maximum load, client assessment and understanding of how our bodies work could be one of the reasons why we have such injuries among others. In the absence of a good understanding of the above, injuries are prone to occur.

Calorie compensation and Weight gain

We don’t just go to the gym to lose weight, we can also go to gain weight. Muscle weight can be gained by doing resistance exercises either by weight or resistance bands among others. However, this is limited to some duration after which the body adapts to the use of fats to produce energy, and weight loss can be achieved, if done excessively, it could result in adverse health issues.

There are reported cases of increased calorie intake for those going to the gym, especially first time, however, I think it comes down to self-discipline and having a diet plan in relation to your weight loss goals.

What to do

Choose a gym with qualified personnel. You’re entitled to know who you’re working with.

Get clearance from your primary physician and physiotherapist before you start working out. Screening for cardiovascular diseases is essential to prevent sudden cardiac arrests and deaths. Not to scare you though, it is good to have a check-up.

Define your goals clearly and go over them with your trainer.

Have a diet plan from a qualified personnel

Understand weight and what you can do to manage it.

Exercise is not a punishment for what you ate.