Going to the gym can be one of the most accessible and most effective ways to improve your health, fitness, and physique. However, before you go and sign up for the gym, there are several factors you should take into account when deciding where you want to work out.
You shouldn’t just pick the first place you come across that, at a glance, seems decent enough. In reality, where you ultimately choose to work out can play a huge role in your fitness journey, from what you’ll be able to achieve in the gym to whether or not you’ll even stick to your workout routine. That being said, let’s go over some of the key considerations to run through when looking for your next gym membership.
Understanding Your Fitness Goals
The first thing to think about is what kind of gym you should look for, because there are many different types of gyms. Yes, there’s the classic workout gym where you can lift weights and do cardio, but there are also boxing gyms, spin studios, Pilates studios, rock climbing gyms, and many more. To be able to pick from such a wide array of options, you need to really understand what your fitness goals are.
If you’re primary goal is to build muscle, then a traditional workout gym can be a great option, but if you’re mainly interested in developing your strength, agility, and coordination, a rock climbing gym may be an enticing alternative. If you want to focus on improving your health through cardio, while you can certainly do that at a regular gym, joining a spin studio or boxing gym could be a more interesting and motivating choice.
Setting goals for yourself is necessary for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, so it’s crucial that you choose the right kind of environment that’ll allow you to achieve them.
Key Features to Look for in a Gym
Even once you’ve narrowed down your options to a specific type of gym that you’re interested in, there are still a lot of things that can vary from one place to the next and that are important to take into account.
Firstly, you should assess the benefits of a gym from a logistical standpoint. What are the operating hours during weekdays and weekends, and do these hours accommodate your lifestyle? Where is the gym located, and is it easy for you to get there?
Next, visit the gym to see what it’s actually like. Pay attention to your first impressions of the facility and assess whether it’s somewhere you would enjoy being. Is everything clean and well-maintained? Is the staff friendly and helpful when you interact with them and ask them questions?
Lastly, while you’re there, try to figure out if the gym actually meets your training needs. For example, if you’re looking for a traditional workout gym, there would ideally be many different machines, and for popular machines like treadmills and bench presses, it would be preferable to have plenty of each machine so you’re less likely to have to wait for other people if you want to use them. Other possible criteria include whether the gym has a spacious layout, which prevents the gym from feeling too cramped when it gets crowded, and whether additional amenities are offered in order to enhance your experience.
The Value of Trial Memberships
When you go to check out a fitness facility, as much as you should be trying to gather information through your observations, the best way to get a feel for what any particular gym is like is to actually experience it. Luckily, many gyms give first-time visitors a free trial for their first workout or class, or at least give people the option to purchase a day pass.
Before showing up to the gym, you should be prepared to do a trial workout, and if that’s indeed an available option, you should definitely take advantage of it as it can be extremely valuable. You can use the opportunity to validate your initial observations and impressions, but more importantly, reveal things you didn’t previously pick up on.
For example, a gym might have nice equipment and amenities, as well as hospitable staff, but after a trial workout, you realize the community and culture there makes you a bit uncomfortable. The other people in the gym might all seem much more experienced than you, or a class might just be a bit too fast-paced and intense for your liking. The opposite could be true as well; you might not have a great first impression of a gym, but after working out there you really like the people, classes, and overall atmosphere. Either way, a trial membership will be the best way to really understand whether or not a certain gym is truly suitable for you.
Figuring Out the Finances
If all else is satisfactory, then one final thing you’ll need to consider is the price. Does paying for a membership at this gym fit into your monthly budget? In addition, if you’re someone who has flexibility with how much you’re able to pay for the gym, another question you should ask yourself is what are you willing to pay?
In my previous post, I broke down the pros and cons of choosing a premium fitness club, and where they actually differentiate themselves from more budget-friendly gyms. As enticing as a fancier gym may be, with all the additional amenities and services it might provide, some people just don’t have a need for any of that. In that case, even if you can afford the membership, it might still be worth your time to continue looking around for cheaper options.
Other financial considerations that you should be aware of are the specific policies of a gym. On top of monthly membership fees, is there an annual fee? Once you sign up, are you locked into a contract for a certain amount of time, such as a year? Furthermore, if there are different levels of memberships, make sure you understand the differences between each so you don’t end up paying for more than you need.
Choosing Wisely Makes a Huge Difference
Finding the right gym for you can take some effort. Especially if you live in an area in which there are many different options within a relatively short distance from you, it’s crucial that you don’t make the mistake of simply settling for the first place you come across; instead, do your research and compare your choices in order to determine the best gym to help you reach your goals, cater to your preferences, and maximize value for your money.
That being said, it could be difficult to find a single gym that perfectly satisfies all of the above criteria and meets all your needs. Each place you visit might have its own unique benefits while leaving certain other things to be desired. However, the reality is that the more a gym can satisfy your individual needs and wants, the more enjoyable your workout experience will be and the more motivation you’ll have to maintain your exercise routine in the long run.
