Getting in shape in 2021
Trainers offer advice on what to look for when choosing a gym and popular equipment for home-based training
“You would think it would be equipment, but people want to feel comfortable. If you are not comfortable, you are not going to want to stay there.” Dan Archibald
SUMMERSIDE – As the calendar turns to a new year, it is a time when people often dedicate themselves to improving their physical condition and living a healthier lifestyle.
Under normal circumstances – pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – gyms would see an influx in memberships at the start of January. But these are different times.
Dan Archibald, a wellknown personal trainer and a strength coach based in Summerside, said he notices a big push by people immediately following the Christmas holidays. He added he fields a lot of inquiries from potential new clients at the first of each year.
COVID-19, however, has created uncertainty. Do people join a local gym, or do they commit to home-based training?
“For me, I probably would have been back in a facility if I did not fear a second shutdown,” said Archibald, who is temporary training out of his home but plans to return to a gym following COVID-19. “I just decided to stay at home exactly for this reason.”
Katerina Kuzminer is part of a group that trains regularly with Archibald.
“I used to go to the gym a lot before it did close, but, honestly, it doesn’t make a difference to us because we are family,” said Kuzminer. “Honestly, I can work out at home or in the gym, as long as I am with the gym fam.”
Kuzminer began working out regularly in January four years ago because she wanted to lead a healthy lifestyle for her five children. She admitted it was nice to start training at the first of the year with other people just getting involved.
“Usually, at the beginning of the year, people do make New Year’s resolutions, and it was easier to have a crowd to join with me, and I wasn’t just by myself starting a journey,” said Kuzminer. “I started it with a lot of people, and now we are all kind of like family.”
Archibald said, in his experiences, the atmosphere is a selling point people look for when joining a gym. Other items to be considered, he said, are size and location.
"You would think it would be equipment, but people want to feel comfortable," said Archibald. “If you are not comfortable, you are not going to want to stay there.
“I find the No. 1 thing people will say is, ‘It didn’t feel right, I didn’t feel welcome, or I loved it because the people were so friendly.’”
SEES INFLUX
Terry Adams, who owns Iron Haven gyms in Alberton and O’Leary and is a partowner of the Summerside location, sees an influx of members at the start of every year.
He added it’s not as many today as years ago.
“There are more people who train year-round, and it is part of their lifestyle,” said Adams. “There is still that influx.
“We do our best if anyone starts at the first of the year if they have that New Year’s resolution, we try and make sure they have all the support they need to get the results they want and stay at it.”
Adams admitted starting at a gym for the first time can be intimidating. They may be nervous about where and how to start, and then there is the added fear of training in a public place during COVID19.
Adams said, at his Iron Haven locations, staff “really pay attention” to new members.
“We want to give them all the support we can, make them feel comfortable and make sure their training matches their goals,” said Adam. “A lot of times, someone will come in, and if they don’t know what they are doing, they might be doing three or four different exercises, but it’s not going to get them to where they want to be.”
Kris MacPhee, who owns Charlottetown-based Synergy Fitness, said his facility does not see a spike at the start of January like other commercial gyms or boot-camp facilities.
“We do see more so people re-engaging with their fitness or health may be due to setting New Year’s resolutions or whatever,” he said. “We try to preach ... being healthy (year-round) is more of a lifestyle rather than a six-week commitment.”
EQUIPMENT
Archibald said kettlebells and dumbbells are popular pieces of equipment for people who choose to train at home.
He said these are the first items people will buy.
The equipment provides a lot of versatility that allows users to do several exercises.
“Cost-wise, instead of buying a $500 to $1,000 rack, you can buy a couple of different sizes of kettlebells and dumbbells, and you can get a full-body workout with just kettlebells and dumbbells,” said Archibald.
He added accountability is crucial for people who train at home and suggested people find an accountability partner or a trainer.
MacPhee said it’s important for people to realize they don’t have to spend a lot of money on equipment if they decide to train at home.
“Some people feel they need to make a massive commitment in terms of whether it’s buying a couple-thousand-dollar treadmill or an exercise bike or whatever,” said MacPhee.
“A simple set of dumbbells, a skipping rope and, if it’s a young athlete, may be an agility ladder and some resistance bands.
“The one thing that is awesome nowadays is there are so many good online options.”
Adams, who has been in the gym business since the 1980s, said he doesn’t see much of people training at home. His gyms receive calls virtually every month of the year from people who have gear for a home gym and are looking to sell it.
“Training at home is possible, but I know it’s not for everybody,” said Adams.
“So much of this is a mental game.
"You have to enjoy it, you have to be motivated, you have to look forward to your training, and you get that a little better in the gym, I think.”