Congratulations on taking the first step to becoming a fitter, healthier version of yourself! Whether you’ve been a gym member before or are a first-timer, you’re in the right place. Here, you'll find like-minded folks who are striving to simply be better than they were yesterday. Welcome to the Anytime Fitness family!

By: Becky Fulton

I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just got the notice that my divorce was final and I knew I was ready for change. I don’t remember if I saw a picture of myself, heard a comment from someone, or what exactly “clicked," but Gary (my new personal trainer) must have noticed something.

With summer in sight, more of us are feeling self-conscious about our bodies -- and will enjoy the season less as a result. That's according to a new survey commissioned by Anytime Fitness.

76% of the 1,000 respondents said that they feel the same or worse about their body image this year. Another 53% plan to "cover up everything they can" at the beach. That doesn't bode well for fun in the sun.

Despite a freakish May snowfall here at Anytime HQ, summer has pretty much arrived for most of us in North America. It’s the time of year when everyone wants to be outside biking, hiking, running, golfing, swimming, gardening, grilling, or whatever your chosen activity may be.

It’s all-too-easy to skip the gym on days like these. But we’re here to set you straight. Turns out that now might just be the very best time to get in the gym. Self-serving? Most assuredly. But that doesn’t make it any less true! Allow us to explain.

We've all heard it before—one of the cornerstones of keeping a healthy body is keeping that body well-hydrated. Drinking water helps regulate your body temperature, transport nutrients and oxygen to the necessary parts of your body, lubricate joints, and flush out toxins and waste. But sometimes, even when we know what's best for us, it can be difficult to follow through. If you're battling with hydration, try some of these easy tricks to up your H20 intake.

Weighing over 400 pounds made me feel very nervous when walking into any place, let alone the gym. I always thought everyone was staring and judging me. It can be incredibly intimidating. But don't think you have to be in shape to join a gym. I wasn't and I lost over 200 pounds! Let me tell you a story.