The Gym - Learn to Like It

Reese Witherspoon recently admitted that she hates going to the gym -- and, in all honesty, I don't think she's alone. Few of us get genuinely excited to make the journey to our fitness facilities, and yet they are usually always packed. But the gym doesn't have to be the object of your disaffection -- your workout is what you make it, and here are some ways you can learn to look forward to your regular workout sessions:

• Do something different. I'm willing to bet that most of you use the same machines over and over again. Um, yawn. Does your gym have a pool, tennis court or a rowing machine you've never tried? Who knows -- maybe you'll fall for one of these workouts.
• Know how to do it. Splurge on a couple of sessions with a personal trainer to learn how to do your exercises properly and effectively -- you might be surprised to find out you've been doing it wrong!

• Join in. I'll admit, I was not a very serious gym goer until I discovered how much I loved the circuit training classes at my gym. Your gym probably has tons of classes too, encompassing activities from dancing to yoga to cardio and everything in between -- they're fun and motivating all at once.
• Accessorize. Running on the treadmill is ho-hum. Running on the treadmill while listening to a playlist of your all-time favorite songs is actually pretty darn enjoyable. Seriously -- it's amazing what one little iPod can do to your workout.
• If all else fails, give up. I'm being serious here -- you don't need a gym, what with the great outdoors beckoning you with warm spring weather. This time of year, don't feel bad about blowing off the gym -- just make sure you make up for it by working up a sweat outside.