Having a gym you like makes you more likely to show up. But how do you find such a gym? Here are seven tips.
Find a gym close to your home.
Despite all your best intentions most people don’t regularly commute longer than 15 minutes to head to the gym. Especially during busy times such as having a deadline for work or at in bad weather. Have a gym that’s either close to your house or close to your work – if you go after work.
Determine how you want to train.
There are many different training methods. Do you want to focus on resistance training? Take a Zumba class? Or perhaps do a CrossFit workout? Knowing how you want to train and what will keep you engaged helps you select the right gym. Do you need a gym that’s going to offer all of that? It’s something to think about.
Visit at your prime workout time.
Don’t schedule an appointment with a membership advisor at a time that you’re never going to be there. You want to see what the gym looks like and how busy it is when you are going to be there. Check the gym culture. Some gyms attract a specific audience such as bodybuilders, students, or older adults. Consider searching for a gym where you feel comfortable.
Evaluate whether it has all the equipment you need.
To build muscle you’ll need equipment more than you would need a spin class. That’s why it’s important to check the quality of the equipment pieces that you require. Check the cleanliness of the gym.
Is It Clean?
Gyms are germ factories. We are in the middle of a pandemic. Do you see five people cleaning things the moment you walk in the door? That’s important. I work someplace where cleanliness is the top priority and the hardest working staff of maintenance people are seen cleaning things all day long. Health complications, especially if you have a compromised immune system, are important to be aware of.
Make sure that the fee fits your budget.
It all looks lovely but if you can’t afford it -it becomes a problem. There’s no reason to go into debt for gym that you simply can’t manage financially. You don’t want to waste money if you can’t show up for it on an ongoing basis. Think about it. You’re paying maybe close to $200 a month but if you can’t get there more than once a week that’s a lot of wasted money.
Double check the contract.
Read the fine print and be sure you understand and agree to everything that’s outlined. You don’t want to be in a place where you’re moving or there’s some other immediate problem and you can’t put the membership on freeze or cancel it without being subject to big fines. No one wants surprises down the road.