Autumn weather is clearly upon us, which means many will be returning to a structured exercise regimen at a gym or fitness centre. But too many will fail to follow this fall due to trepidation of actually entering a gym.

The most important thing to know is that you do not need to be fit to join a fitness club! In fact, the majority of gym members today are not there to pump iron or train for a sport, but simply to trim fat, reduce stress, and improve heath.

Maybe you have attended a gym before, but found the culture there did not match your goals?

If so, know that all fitness clubs are not the same. While some do cater to athletes, others target larger groups like casual gym-goers, females, or seniors, and most attract a highly diverse clientele. You wouldn’t let your head get wet just because one hat didn’t fit right, would you?

Perhaps you are put off by the thought of high membership costs or large crowds?

While attending a clean, modern gym is advised, each of these neither costs the same nor is equally busy. Large-scale fitness centers suit most people’s needs at a reasonable price, but are often quite busy during peak hours. If you prefer more intimate surroundings for your sweat sessions, try a private health club or spa, which are less crowded but can be pricey, or local community center gyms, which are generally affordable and may only lack specialty equipment that you did not require to begin with.

Regardless of the type of gym you ultimately attend, know the staff is there to provide helpful advice. Most fitness clubs also offer orientations, or better still, free initial visits and introductory rates.

To make the transition to indoor exercise even easier, consider scheduling a few sessions with a personal trainer who can provide a personalized fitness program and help you set and achieve realistic goals.

So what’s your excuse?

Move your workout inside this fall and take a giant leap toward a healthier lifestyle!

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer. He owns Karp Personal Training & Rehabilitation Inc. in Burnaby. For further information call his office at 420-7800 or visit www.karpfitness.com.