Get Moving: Join Your Local Gym!

Joining a gym can be rewarding in many ways. There are certain benefits a gym membership can bring to your life and overall health! Whether it’s a sense of community or enhanced physical health, a gym membership is one way to start your wellness journey.

As a commitment to our Member’s health, we’ve partnered with select wellness centers across the state to provide Members with a wellness and exercise home. To view the list of wellness centers with discounted membership fees, click here. To be eligible, simply show your Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi ID card. The specific discount varies depending upon the wellness center you choose.

When you join a gym, there are several different ways you can take advantage of your membership. Some gyms provide group classes such as spin, yoga, Pilates or kickboxing. If your gym doesn’t have group classes, most gyms have instructors present, free weights, machines, cardio machines (treadmill, elliptical, stair stepper etc.), cable machines and more.

Accountability & Motivation

The act of joining a gym and paying for the monthly membership can be highly motivational. Being around other people who are also working on their fitness is helpful too. You can draw inspiration from those around you and celebrate wins with those you meet. Knowing you have a space to work on yourself can be a worthy investment.

Boost Energy & Mood

You release positive endorphins after you finish a workout. This will help motivate you to keep returning to the gym! Finishing a workout also boosts your confidence. Regular exercise helps sharpen your mind, increases productivity and can help boost your overall mood.

Sense of Community

Whether you join a group class or have a conversation with someone you don’t know, the gym can the perfect place to find friends and like-minded people. Being able to ask for help, seek motivation or have supporters at your local gym can be beneficial for your mental health too. While the people you meet may have different overall health goals, there’s something to be said about finding someone to try new classes with or even grab coffee with after a workout.

Prolong Your Life

Exercise is linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk to certain diseases. Your gym can be the best medicine for your health. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your gym membership, try focusing on strength training, aerobic exercise and stretching/balance exercises and classes. These three types of exercises are optimal for better health.

So, you signed up for a gym. What’s next? No worries, here’s a list of “Gym Essentials” so you come to the gym prepped and prepared.

Gym Essentials

• Gym bag
• Water bottle
• Appropriate gym shoes
• Appropriate gym clothes
• Deodorant
• Headphones
• Change of clothes
• Small towel

Sources:

Very Well Fit

Total Fitness