Joining a gym can be a great way to kickstart your fitness routine. To maximize the value of your gym membership, it helps to have an efficient workout routine. Whether you can’t find the time, don’t know how to use the machines, or are simply feeling intimidated, there are ways to make your experience at the gym more enjoyable. Here are some tips from Aaptiv to make your next gym visit more impactful:

1. Stay Close to Home (Or Work)
   One of the hardest parts of going to the gym is actually getting there. The quick—and surprisingly simple—fix to this is joining a gym close to your home or place of work. The convenience alone will help you create a habit of heading straight to the gym before or after work. Simply cutting out a commute to and from the gym suddenly makes it much more attractive.
2. Take Classes
   If you’re not into the gym because you find traditional cardio or strength training boring, try taking classes. Most gyms come with a full schedule of group classes in everything from indoor cycling to yoga to total body conditioning. These classes usually come included with your membership for no additional cost, too. So, feel free to try as many as you want until you find something you really love.
3. Mentally Prepare
   Attitude is everything when it comes to the gym. It all starts with you and how you think of your workouts. Instead of focusing too much on how little you want to hit the gym, try to focus your energy on how you’ll feel once you’re done. Start small and commit to just 15 minutes of work. Once you start, you may not want to stop. And if you still just want to go home, well, 15 minutes is better than nothing!
4. Pack Your Bag
   Coming to the gym with the right tools is a great way to get the most out of your workout. Well-fitting breathable clothes, a water bottle, and headphones are definite necessities. Then, think about what other personal essentials you might need, such as hair ties, a small towel, hand sanitizer, or a change of clothes. Pack your bag the night before a morning workout. If an evening sweat sesh is more your style, bring your gym bag to work with you or keep it in the car.
5. Try Everything
   Part of making something effective is finding out what works best for you. If you don’t like running, skip it! There are plenty of cardio alternatives at the gym. Hate weights? No problem. There are other ways to build muscular strength. It’s more important to do what gives you satisfaction, works with your schedule, and works for your body. If you don’t know what that is yet, try everything until you find your workout niche.

Making the gym effective for you requires a combination of consistency, preparation and willingness to try new things. It can be hard to find motivation to squeeze in a workout after a busy day, but getting to the gym becomes the easy part once you find a way to make the gym work better for you.