Why I Would Never Join a Health Club

Even if I knew my life depended on it, I would never join a health club. I would just go ahead and die, rather than suffer such humiliation. There´s no way I would exercise in front of other people, as most of them are probably better at it and might be judgmental of me. And, somehow, I don´t think that my own private exercise room would be included in a health club membership. If there is indeed a health club that would offer such a luxury, I doubt that I could afford the rates anyway.

Some TV commercials that a popular chain of health clubs is currently running give me the creeps. They all begin with a person explaining why he or she joined that particular health club. No real problem there, but it´s the ending that bothers me. The person in question is then shown jumping onto some kind of exercise apparatus and then using it during the last few seconds of those ads. How can they let themselves be seen doing that on national TV? I wouldn´t be willing to do that any more than I would allow TV cameras into my bathroom while I´m taking a shower.

I addition, I suspect that many of those who frequent health clubs are semi-professional exercisers – people who have avidly and enthusiastically been exercising for most of their lives. I would look too much like a Johnny-come-lately to the practice or perhaps someone who is just following after the latest trend. I do not follow the crowd, even when I know they are doing something that would be good for me. And I can´t have anyone thinking I take my cue from others or ever allow them to convince me of anything.