How Do I Find The Right Gym?47 lbs LOSTso farNovember 13, 2008 by Israel Lagares | 32 comments
How Do I Find The Right Gym?
If you’re in the market for a gym membership, there are plenty of details and amenities that may help boost your motivation and success. Today, fitness facilities aim to provide individuals with unique and wide-ranging services, from group fitness classes to child care support, you should check out the specifics before signing any gym contract. Below is a list of questions to pose when you are seeking a new gym membership.
What Specific Details Should I Look For?
When investigating gyms, consumers should always check for 8 details. When investigating these details, consumers can also ask a gym employee or salesperson specific questions to provide further insight and information.
Location - Is the location convenient to your home or place of work? Will the location be convenient to access during rush hour traffic?
Cost - Can you afford the cost of the membership? Are there any promotions? Are there any added membership fees or sign up fees? Can you pay the full year’s membership up front for an added discount?
Hours - What time of day do you like to work out? Do the gym hours accommodate your workout preferences? What hours are the busiest times
Equipment - Does the equipment suit your needs? Are there both cardio and weight machines? Are there free-weights? Is there enough space in the workout area to comfortably exercise and utilize the equipment?
Group Fitness - Are group fitness classes available? What are the types of classes and times of classes? Is there an added charge for group fitness? Who are the instructors, and are they certified and professionally licensed?
Amenities - Are there childcare services, and is there an added cost? Are there towels and personal care items included in the membership? Are there spa services included? Is there a pool and/or Jacuzzi and sauna available? Does the gym provide personal training services?
Staff - Do the instructors and trainers seem qualified? Are staff members licensed and professional? Are staff members friendly and welcoming?
Atmosphere - Is the gym more family oriented or adult professional oriented? (In other words, do you personally prefer a gym that incorporates child care and children’s activities, or do you prefer a gym that caters only to adults?) Is the atmosphere friendly and social, or is it quiet and reserved? Does the gym promote any social functions, such as community races or holiday gatherings? (Many gyms are involved in the extended community, which some potential members may prefer and enjoy).
Before Signing the Contract
Ultimately, before signing your gym contract, try to find out if the gym offers a free trial pass, or a free guest pass. Oftentimes gyms will allow potential members to test out the facilities before signing up. If this is an option, you’ll be able to personally assess the quality of the facility. Adding to this, try to speak with fellow-members before joining the gym; find out what their insight is about the pros and cons, so you’ll be able to make a more informed and educated decision.
Have anything to add? Leave a comment!
Editor’s note: This is a guest article from Zane. He runs a website called Best Diet Pills that provides consumers with no b.s. reviews of diets and diet pills.
*Photo Courtesy of djwhelan
Related Posts
These are all very important things to consider when picking a gym. I chose solely based on the convenience factor and believe me when I say that the equipment at my gym is lacking.
Thanks for the post!
All the Best
Andrew R
I work out at home in my shack in the backyard. i also go to the park and walk around and use my environment. its all free…or is it.
Hey, let’s not forget that if one wants to lose fat and get in better shape, they don’t need to go to a gym; they can simply do bodyweight exercises in their home! Yes, I’m a bit biased; however, if they do this, then they can save the money they would normally spend on a monthly membership and use it to buy a new wardrobe for the new body to come. Just my $.02 …
true, true…cheapo. I kid, I kid. You are absolutely right. You dont need to pay for the gym, I don’t.
for someone who is more than a few pounds overweight this is probably the best way to do it. Start out with some standard body weight stuff then as you get more in shape go for the gym.
In shape doesn’t necessarily mean thinner. Your muscles will get used to working out and when they do you’ll need to add more resistance.
The first 4 are the most important for me. I found a gym that meet all 4 and I still didn’t go.
I’ve found that I can get the same or better workout at home. You just need to invest a little cash up front.
Weight sets are not cheap. Even at Walmart you are spending .85 cents to $1 a pound.
Steve
Or you can use your body, Muata knows all about that kind of stuff. Head over to MrLowBodyFat.com, he has body weight exercises on there.
All good points.
For me personally staff would be a key point. I have no idea how to structure a gym routine or even use half the equipment so I’d need to be spoon fed but some very patient and helpful staff.
Stoked
Sometimes the staff don’t know anything, just what they see in magazines. I would be weary…
I think staff is really important. Especially when you are a newbie to a gym and have no clue what to do.
Sometimes the staff consists or newbies too.
For me location is crucial. If I were to drive to the gym for over half an hour, I’d be visiting very rarely.
Very true. That is why I lift and train primarily at home.
How about cleanliness?
I haven’t worked out at a gym in over 6 years. I’ve found it faster and more productive to get in my workouts at home.
No people posing in the mirrors, no lousy music, no sweaty machines. I just hit it hard and get it done.
What about: No guys lusting over the women.
I don’t like feeling like canned tuna - you know the way some gyms oversell their membership. Good advice about doing a trail first to see if the gym will meet your needs.
I found that my local 24 hour fitness did not have a slack time from 4:30am to 8:30am - the times that I could workout before work.
I do like the equipment but it has to be accessible when I need it so I have to opt out of the gym.
Good timing of this post as allot of people will be making that resolution.
I know what you mean. Back in New York my buddies used to always complain about the gyms being packed.
Don’t know if you all know this, but choosing amongst the “big players” in the business is pretty easy right now — costco has a two year membership to 24 hour fitness for less than $300. No fees.
It is a bad time financially for people to be spending money on a gym membership, but I think the gyms recognize this and are putting out hefty incentives.
Thanks for the tip on the Costco. Hope someone can benefit from it.
Wow. I never thought that joining some gym need that much brain storming:).Nice sharing bro, I think people will get use it in their future;)
These are definitely things to consider when choosing a gym. I know that I would rather be close to mine so I don’t have to wake up as early in the morning!lol!
dang, i was going to mention that $290/2 year deal they have atcostco but ya beat me to it :/ i wish they had done this a few months earlier because i dropped $700ish on a 3 year deal.
I joined a JJB Gym in the UK yesterday (Manchester) and I love it. Just a tip for those UK people!
What did it cost?
I signed myself up for the more expensive gym to motivate me to use my membership. Yeah the amenities and equipment are nicer than the YMCA but when I see the fee come out of my checking account I make sure to capitalize on my dues by going more often.
Or you could have bought some stuff at home and saved time.
I found a lot of factors which should be kept in mind for selection of gym most suited for purpose. I think you might have covered the benefits of gym upon health.
great tips for finding the right gym
I was going to look for one and never knew what to search for
The atmosphere a gym has also affects the dieter in his pursuit for fitness. I do believe one should really find the right gym just fitted for one’s needs and preferences.
I like a gym where I am comfortable more than anything else. Some gyms just feel right, while others feel wrong.
Not very scientific but it works for me.
totally understood!
I am not against people being made to work if they are genuinely capable of doing so but I have read alot this week about the need to teach ‘happiness’ in schools because of, apparently, lack of parental gudance at home. Now the proposal is to send mother’s of babies under one out to work. Where are the jobs that will pay enough for childcare and a living and still provde time for that all imprtant infant boning?