How to Pick the Right Gym

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Selecting a gym can be confusing. These tips for choosing a gym will help you.

If you’re ready to get in shape, one of the easiest ways is to go down to the local gym and sign up for some classes. If you live in a bigger city where there a lot of different gyms, it can be pretty tough to find the right one. Here are some tips to make your search a lot easier.

• Visit the gym as a guest - Before you spend any money on a gym membership, try to get access as a guest for a few days. Most any gym worth it’s salt will give you a 7-day trial. You’ll be able to get a feel for the different classes, see if the staff is friendly and learn more about what they have to offer. If you feel comfortable there, then you can move forward to become a member. If not, you won’t have wasted any money on your membership.
• Inspect the equipment - Not all gyms will have the latest equipment, so it is a very good idea to take a walk through and make sure that everything is operational. A good gym will keep the machines clean and in working order. If you see a lot of broken equipment, or it appears overly worn, the best choice is to find another option.
• Location, location, location - Just like real estate, finding a gym is largely related to location. When you’re working out either on the way to or from work, it’s all too easy to put it off if the gym is too far out of the way. Try to find a gym that is as close as possible either to your home or your place of work. You’ll save money on gas and it will be a lot easier to get there. In addition, if you’re not in the car the whole time, you’ll have more time to devote to your workout.
• Classes and training - If you’re interested in strength training or aerobics, you’ll want to find a gym that has the right classes for you. My wife loves her Body Pump class. Smaller gyms may have a pretty inflexible schedule, but the larger ones will offer a variety of different classes throughout the day. Try to find the gym that has the best classes at a time when you can attend. Alternatively, you can see if they make personal trainers available, but they almost always cost extra.
• Value for your dollar - This is probably the biggest factor for most people. Gym memberships can be expensive and the terms can be pretty tough. It’s best to find a gym that will offer you a month-to-month agreement if possible (but you’ll likely have to pay extra for it). Otherwise, you may be legally bound to keep paying your membership fee, even if you’re not using the facility any more.
• Reputation - We recommend checking with your state’s Better Business Bureau before signing any agreement with a gym. You can search by name or phone number and learn if there are any complaints about the gym. This can save you a lot of time and money.

Photo Credit: kthypryn

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choose a gym, gym membership, gyms, local gym, strength training, workout classes

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Exercise

Posted by Lazy Man on August 4, 2008 in Exercise.

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