Choosing a gym: 10 tips for choosing a great gym
Place
If you choose a fitness club on the other side of town, will you be able to stay motivated and make the effort to attend regularly? Probably not. Especially on days when your commitment is minimal and your schedule is not busy. A good fitness club location will ideally be somewhere between your home and work. A fitness club in the area will reduce your stress levels, allow you to exercise, and save you a lot of travel time.
Fees
Joining a fitness club can be a big financial commitment. Gym membership fees are not something to be taken lightly and are often the main reason people choose a particular gym. Cheap gym memberships may seem like a much better option at first, but it can be a bad choice if those gyms can’t meet your needs. The same goes for more expensive fitness drugs. You may be paying too much for what you are getting. Additionally, many fitness centres will require a registration fee. You can just wait for some special offer to save on these fees, but you can also talk to the staff. I suggest that you consider several other gyms and see what they can offer you right away.
Services
Gym amenities and fees go hand in hand. If you don’t plan on using much of what the gym has to offer, you may be overpaying. Alternatively, if you enjoy a sauna or a decent swim after your regular workout, a cheaper gym without these amenities may not be for you. Be sure to find out what the gym’s facilities are and how often you will be using them. State-of-the-art facilities can be a good way to draw attention to your registration, but you need to be sure that you will need everything the gym provides. If you require special facilities such as free parking, group lessons, or group lessons, check to see if they are included in your membership price or if you have to pay extra for them.
Membership Agreement
To protect both your interests and the interests of the fitness club, there is an excellent fitness club agreement. Find out how employees interact with you and if they can be pushy. If they expect you to join on the spot, walk away. Ideally, you would want to take home a written contract, read it very carefully, and think it over. Find out how long the written contract is valid for and if there are any hidden fees. Will your contract automatically carry over? Make a deal with the staff, think of it as a sport, and you can often get significantly lower rates. Ask to try the option before signing a binding contract, but be careful not to sign any paper. Less respectable gyms may slip you a contract while saying it’s a “liability” form.
Working hours
Will your favourite gym be open during the hours you might think of working out? Many people exercise in the morning; some prefer evening hours; and there are gyms that are closed on weekends. You’ll want to look for a fitness club that fits your hectic schedule. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying for a gym you can’t access at a time that suits you best.
Staff
Great gyms have good staff who are supportive, warm, friendly, and skilled. The staff is there to answer any questions you may have, help you create your fitness routines, and even spot you during your workouts. Be sure to ask about their credentials and see how they treat you as a potential new member. If you’re having trouble getting your questions answered, be sceptical of how they’ll treat you once you sign up at the gym. Friendliness is a great asset. A depressed expression as a greeting to your fitness club can drain all the energy out of you.
Permanent members
It is important to choose a gym where you feel comfortable while playing sports. You should not feel uncomfortable, threatened or embarrassed. Find out what kinds of people are working out at your favourite fitness club. Are these really your favourite people? If you want to exercise intensely, you won’t like a fitness club that has friendly chats on its schedule. If you like meeting new people, go to a gym where there is a great personal atmosphere and people interact with each other effortlessly. If you don’t value shared gyms, you can choose a ladies-only or men’s-only gym near you.
Gym equipment
Whenever you visit your chosen fitness club, be sure to look around. What exactly do you notice? Does everyone have enough machines, weight plates, and hand weights? Try to find out if members are waiting in line for their favourite fitness equipment and exercises. Some gyms are famous for using time limits on fitness cardio machines. If you plan to do a lot of cardio, this time limit won’t work for you. If you are a serious bodybuilder or want to become one, make sure that the available dumbbells, weight loads, and weight plates meet your needs.
Concerns
There is absolutely nothing worse than a fitness club without any hygiene requirements. You want to sign up at a gym where they have clean fitness equipment, locker rooms, bathrooms, and restrooms. Look around on your initial visit. Are there enough towels to clean the gym equipment after each use? Also, make sure that employees follow these requirements. While you’re there, check out the locker room, showers, and restrooms. If you don’t appreciate what you see, you can bet your money that hygiene standards are not followed in this club.
Good friends
Talk to people you’re friends with and ask them where they’ve been in shape and if they’re happy. Many times, your friends and people you already know can give you great insight into great community gyms and warn you about gyms to avoid.
