Finding Routine and Discipline at the Gym by Lionel

After a few weeks in Budapest, I realized I had more free time than I was used to back in France. So I finally decided to do something I’d been wanting to do for a while: join a gym.

It’s now been four weeks, and I try to go four times a week. At first, it was a bit intimidating. I wasn’t very familiar with the equipment or how to structure my workouts. But I quickly started asking other gym members for advice. Most people are open and helpful, whether they’re locals, other international students, or even some fellow French people I’ve run into.

For me, going to the gym isn’t just about physical progress though I’m definitely happy with how things are going. It’s also a way to bring some structure and discipline into my daily life, outside of university. Back home, I never really had time to make fitness a regular habit, so this felt like the right moment to start.

Working out has helped me stay active, especially during moments when I might otherwise feel bored or isolated. It has become a personal space where I can focus on myself, release stress, and build new routines.

I know that fitness is a demanding and unforgiving activity if you stop, you lose progress quickly. That’s why I’m planning to keep this habit once I return to France. I’ve worked hard to build a rhythm, and I don’t want to lose the benefits I’ve started to feel. It’s also a commitment to myself, beyond just this Erasmus semester.

Joining the gym wasn’t part of my original plan when coming to Budapest, but it turned out to be one of the most positive decisions I’ve made since arriving.