Why more gyms and more apps haven’t made people fitter 

Never before has fitness been as accessible as it is today.  

– There is a gym on every corner, some with 24/7 access and memberships costing less than a daily coffee.  

– Free workouts flood YouTube and Instagram, making it easy to follow along from home.  

– AI-powered fitness apps create personalized training programs based on a few data points.  

With all of this at our fingertips, one would expect people to be fitter, stronger, and healthier than ever.  

But that’s not what is happening.  

Despite the explosion of fitness accessibility, obesity rates continue to rise, and gym dropout rates remain alarmingly high.  

People are starting their fitness journeys, but they aren’t finishing them.  

This is the gym paradox: The more access we have, the less success we achieve.  

Why? Because access to fitness is not the same as accountability, consistency, or results.  

The illusion of progress: Why access alone isn’t enough  

The fitness industry thrives on selling access rather than results.  

Big-box gyms and access gyms (low-cost, no-service fitness centers) operate on the assumption that people will sign up but not show up. They make money from volume, not engagement.  

Fitness apps and AI-based programs provide an endless supply of workouts, but no one is checking in when motivation disappears.  

And YouTube workouts, no matter how well-produced, cannot tell you if your form is off or if you are overtraining.  

Access to fitness doesn’t equal results because:  

1. Most people don’t know what to do with the access they have.  

2. Access doesn’t create accountability.  

3. Information alone does not drive action. 

If success were just about knowing what to do, everyone would be fit. The reality is that success in fitness, like in any other area, requires structure, support, and consistency—not just availability.  

More choices, less commitment  

Paradoxically, the more fitness options people have, the harder it is to commit to one.  

– Too many workout choices can lead to decision fatigue—people jump from one program to the next, never sticking with anything long enough to see real progress.  

– Too many gyms to choose from means people don’t feel attached to any one place. If motivation dips, it’s easy to leave.  

– Too many free workouts make fitness feel disposable, something to try rather than something to commit to.  

At CrossFit Kreis 9, we take a different approach.  

Instead of just offering access, we offer coaching, community, and accountability—the real drivers of success.  

Why more access leads to less success: The missing ingredients  

1. No one is keeping you accountable 

A gym membership or a fitness app won’t call you when you stop showing up. There is no real consequence for skipping workouts, and there is no one invested in your progress.  

At CrossFit Kreis 9, our coaches and community notice when you are missing. We check in, adjust your training as needed, and make sure you stay on track.  

2. Motivation disappears without structure 

Many people start strong, but when life gets busy, fitness becomes an afterthought. Without **clear goals, a structured training plan, and external accountability**, most people stop training.  

At CrossFit Kreis 9, every member is beaing offered a training path that adapts as they progress. We don’t just offer workouts; we provide a long-term plan for success.  

3. A workout is not the same as coaching  

A pre-recorded workout or an AI-generated plan doesn’t give feedback on your movement, encouragement when you’re struggling, or guidance when you hit a plateau.  

At CrossFit Kreis 9, coaching is the foundation of what we do. Every workout is led by an experienced coach who provides corrections, motivation, and support in real-time.  

4. Training alone is lonely  

Fitness is more than just physical effort—it is also a social experience. A lack of connection makes it easy to quit.  

At CrossFit Kreis 9, our community is our biggest strength. The energy, camaraderie, and shared commitment keep people engaged long after motivation fades.  However, no community produces any fitness results. Those are made with consistent training regime. And that is achieved when personal connections to the coaching team as well as the other gym members are strong!

How to succeed in a world of unlimited fitness access  

If access alone doesn’t create success, what does?  

1. Find a structured program  

Random workouts won’t lead to long-term progress. A structured program that builds strength, endurance, and skill over time is essential.  

2. Work with a coach  

A good coach makes all the difference. They provide **accountability, personalized feedback, and motivation** when things get tough.  Take advantage of every opportunity to discuss your journey with a coach.

3. Surround yourself with the right people  

Being part of a fitness community increases adherence, effort, and enjoyment. When you train with others who push you, celebrate your wins, and support your progress, you are far more likely to succeed.  

4. Prioritize consistency over intensity  

Most people think fitness is about working as hard as possible, but long-term success comes from showing up regularly, not just going all-out for a few weeks and burning out.  

At CrossFit Kreis 9, we don’t sell access. We sell results.  

The gym paradox, solved  

The fitness industry tells people they need more access, but what they really need is more support.  

The problem is not that people don’t have access to fitness—it is that most fitness models do not provide accountability, structure, or connection.  

At CrossFit Kreis 9, we take the opposite approach.  

– We provide coaching, not just workouts.  

– We offer accountability, not just access.  

– We create a community, not just a gym.  

This is why our members don’t quit when motivation fades—because they are part of something bigger than just a gym.  

If you are tired of access without results, come train with us. 

Book a free consultation at CrossFit Kreis 9 and experience the difference real coaching makes.

• Saara

About the coach:

Meet Saara, a master athlete and a multifaceted professional with an impressive array of qualifications. With a commitment to promoting sustainable fitness and health, Saara balances her role as a business owner, business mentor and mother of three, emphasizing the adaptable and enduring nature of CrossFit training that aligns with her life’s demands and aspirations.