If someone signs up for a gym membership but never steps foot inside, you know they’re not committed. If someone avoids the treadmill like the plague, you know they’re not into cardio.

Welcome to the world of gym psychology.

However, it’s not always black and white. The human psyche is a labyrinth, and it takes a bit of detective work to decipher the subtle habits of those who pay for a gym membership but rarely sweat it out.

Some people are more skilled at spotting these habits than others. And that’s usually because they often display these 8 specific traits themselves.

There you have it – a glimpse into the fascinating world of gym habits. Buckle up as we delve deeper into this intriguing topic.

1) Procrastination is their best friend

Procrastination… the bane of productivity.

It creeps up on you, whispering sweet nothings about the comfort of your couch and the allure of binge-watching your favorite show. And before you know it, you’ve ditched the gym for the umpteenth time.

But for those who sign up to the gym and rarely go, procrastination isn’t an occasional visitor – it’s a constant companion.

This habit goes beyond just skipping the gym. It seeps into other facets of life, pushing back deadlines, delaying decisions, and creating a cycle of unfulfilled intentions.

However, recognizing this habit is the first step towards breaking free from its clutches.

And if you’re one of those who’ve signed up for a gym membership but find yourself rarely going, understanding your relationship with procrastination might just be your ticket to more consistent workouts.

2) They’re masters of self-justification

Now, let me tell you a little story about myself.

A few years back, I signed up for a gym membership. Full of gusto and determination, I declared to myself that this was the year I was going to get in shape.

But as the weeks rolled by, my visits to the gym dwindled. And every time I chose to skip a session, I had an excuse ready – “I had a long day at work”, “I’ll go tomorrow instead”, “One missed day won’t make a difference”.

This is a classic trait of those who sign up to the gym but rarely go – the ability to justify their lack of attendance with seemingly reasonable excuses.

But here’s the thing: when you start to peel back the layers of these justifications, you realize they’re often just a mask for deeper issues – perhaps fear, discomfort, or simply a lack of motivation.

So from my own experience, I can tell you this – understanding your excuses is key to overcoming them. Once you stop justifying and start acting, that’s when real change happens.

3) They often underestimate the time commitment

When signing up for a gym membership, it’s easy to imagine yourself spending hours each week lifting weights, running on the treadmill, or attending workout classes.

However, the reality of fitting gym sessions into an already packed schedule can be quite different.

According to a study published in the Journal of Psychology, Health & Medicine, one of the most common reasons people stop going to the gym is the perceived lack of time.

Those who sign up for a gym but rarely go often fall into this trap. They underestimate the time it takes not only to work out but also to get ready, travel to and from the gym, and recover afterwards.

This miscalculation can lead to stress and feelings of failure when they can’t keep up with their initial expectations.

4) They have a love-hate relationship with goal setting

Goals can be powerful motivators. They give us something to strive for, a reason to push ourselves. But for those who sign up to the gym and rarely go, goal setting is often a double-edged sword.

On one hand, they might set ambitious goals that inspire them to join the gym in the first place. “I want to lose 20 pounds”, “I want to run a marathon”, “I want to get ripped” – these are the kind of aspirations that get people excited about working out.

But on the other hand, when these goals are too lofty or vague, they can quickly become overwhelming. The road to achieving them seems too long or too steep, leading to feelings of discouragement and defeat.

So if you’re stuck in this love-hate relationship with your fitness goals, it might be time to reevaluate them. Break them down into smaller, achievable milestones and celebrate every victory along the way. 

5) They struggle with consistency

I get it. Life is unpredictable and sometimes, despite our best intentions, things don’t always go according to plan.

I’ve had my fair share of weeks where I barely made it to the gym, or where I went once and then didn’t go again for a fortnight.

Consistency is challenging, especially when you’re trying to incorporate a new habit like regular gym visits into your routine.

Those who sign up to the gym but rarely go often grapple with this. They start off strong, hitting the gym multiple times a week, but as time passes, their initial enthusiasm wanes and the gaps between their visits start to increase.

Finding a sustainable rhythm and sticking to it is crucial.

I’ve found that setting a realistic schedule, one that factors in life’s little curveballs, helps me maintain consistency with my gym attendance.

6) They view the gym as a necessary evil

For some, the gym is seen as a place of punishment – a grim destination where they must endure grueling workouts to atone for their dietary sins or to achieve a body that matches societal standards.

This viewpoint, however, can actually discourage regular gym attendance rather than encourage it. Who wants to consistently go to a place associated with pain and punishment?

Those who sign up to the gym but rarely go often harbor this negative perception. Instead of seeing the gym as an empowering space where they can improve their health and well-being, they view it as an uncomfortable necessity.

Shifting this perspective could be the key to increasing gym attendance.

By focusing on the positive aspects – like the feeling of accomplishment after a tough workout or the long-term health benefits – going to the gym can become a rewarding experience rather than a dreaded chore.

7) They’re prone to the all-or-nothing mindset

The all-or-nothing mindset is a tricky one. It tells you that if you can’t do something perfectly, you shouldn’t do it at all.

Missed a gym session? Might as well give up on the whole week. Ate a slice of cake? Your diet’s ruined, so you might as well indulge for the rest of the day.

This kind of thinking is common among those who sign up to the gym but rarely go. They set high standards for themselves, and when they inevitably fall short, they feel like they’ve failed and are more likely to quit altogether.

But progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about making small, consistent changes over time. So, if you find yourself falling into the all-or-nothing trap, try to remember that every effort counts, no matter how small. 

8) They haven’t found their ‘why’

The most influential factor in regular gym attendance is having a strong, personal reason for wanting to go. Those who sign up to the gym but rarely go often lack this crucial element.

They might have been motivated by external factors – like societal expectations or a well-meaning friend’s suggestion – but without a personal ‘why’, it’s easy to lose motivation.

Your ‘why’ is what gets you out of bed for that early morning workout, what keeps you going when you’d rather quit, what helps you choose the gym over the couch.

Discovering your ‘why’ can be transformative. It gives your gym visits purpose and turns them from a chore into a mission. And with a compelling ‘why’, you’re much more likely to become a regular at the gym.

Embracing the journey towards consistency

As we reach the end of this exploration, hopefully, you’ve come to realize that people who sign up for the gym but rarely go are not just a random collection of individuals.

They’re people like you and me, grappling with habits, challenges, and motivations that are deeply human.

Remember, each visit to the gym is a victory in itself. The key lies in finding your ‘why’, setting achievable goals, and nurturing a positive attitude towards fitness.

According to a study by Phillippa Lally at University College London, it takes on average 66 days for a behavior to become automatic. That’s 66 days of choosing the gym over the couch, of pushing through even when it’s tough, of celebrating small victories along the way.

So next time you find yourself skipping the gym, consider these habits. Reflect on your own relationship with fitness and remember: change is a journey, not a destination.

And every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to a healthier, happier you.