CRUNCH TIME IS approaching and Christmas presents for loved ones are top of the priority list.
Perfume, jewellery, clothes and gadgets are all solid options but what about gym membership?
How would your loved one feel after being presented with a 12-month pass to a gym on Christmas morning? Incensed by the inference or inspired by the idea?
That all depends on your personality, suggests Jenny, manageress of Perpetua CrossFit studio in Dublin.
“It’s probably all down to being too afraid of insulting our other half, but look at it this way – most people are making their New Year’s Resolutions in January and it can be expensive to join a gym.
“As well as getting fitter and stronger – and losing the Christmas beer belly exercise has been proven to boost productivity in work, increase confidence, improve posture, reduce stress and you can make friends too.
“So many people focus on the physical reaction to fitness and underestimate the mental health benefits; there’s no better way to snap yourself out of the January blues when you’re broke and have given up drink.
“Even if you do manage to offend your partner at first, we promise they’ll only be thanking you once they’ve experienced the benefits and seen the drastic changes in their lives from exercise.”
Most gyms offer couple rates and discounts, such as a free month’s membership for joining in January.
And it’s hardly surprising to see it’s easily the busiest month of the year for gyms.
Most people have over-indulged and the top resolutions every year are to get fit, lose weight, quit smoking, drink less, eat healthier and be happier.
“What people need to realise is once you take step 1 and join the gym, the rest will follow,” says Jenny.
“The important thing here is to find something you enjoy. Whether it’s CrossFit, running, tag rugby, walking, martial arts, zumba – if you find something you enjoy you are more likely to stick with it.
“It can sometimes be hard to keep up that January motivation so there’s no better pressure than your gym buddy (or partner) nagging you because they don’t want to go alone.
“So instead of potentially offending your loved one, brother, sister or BFF it could be used as a fun experience to bring you closer together.
“Even if you someone is offended by the gift, I don’t think anyone is not going to use free gym membership given to them!”
