Choosing The Perfect Gym

September 4, 2024

Imagine this. Someone has finally decided they would like to commit to exercising and begin a new exercise program. The program this individual wants to use, however, requires equipment they don't have at home. Then, they must decide between two choices: purchasing the expensive equipment for their household or joining their local gym. In their area, they have come to the realization there are a lot of gyms, all of which seem great in their own ways. How should they decide which gym to join? Many gym-goers face this dilemma, especially when moving to new area. In the end, it boils down to which gym will suit their needs the best.

So how do you choose the perfect gym? Keep reading to find out.

Price Of Membership

Photo Credit: HuffingtonPost

Anyone deciding between several gyms should aim to become a member of a gym within their budget. There is no need to join a premium gym with a premium price for membership just because it looks nice and offers classes they may not even take. On the other hand, a person looking for a new gym shouldn't try to cut corners on cost, as they may end up missing out on many opportunities, services, and equipment. Supplemental to a gym membership is a gym that allows their customers to use their memberships at other gyms in different locations. Gyms that offer this type give their members access to other gym locations of the same company during their travels. This is the type of membership gym-goers who travel a lot will benefit the most from.

Gym memberships can vary widely in cost. The average cost of a gym membership is between forty and fifty dollars per month. However, many gyms offer basic memberships for as little as ten dollars per month, while some premium gyms can charge as much as eight hundred dollars per year for membership. Some gyms will even offer options for individuals who wish to pay per visit instead of a monthly fee. A short-term membership may also be ideal for this type of patron.

Continue reading to reveal the different amenities gyms can offer their patrons.

Amenities

Photo Credit: ResolveFitness

The key to what separates most gyms from each other are the amenities they have to offer. Some gyms offer a large number of group classes, whereas others focus on offering individual classes for more athletic individuals. Someone who likes to shower immediately after a workout should look for gyms with multiple showers and a locker room for their members. Different gyms cater to different training style, so it is very important that the amenities a gym has to offer are suitable for a customer's training style.

Continue reading to learn how a gym's hours of operation may come into play.

Hours Of Operation

Photo Credit: Dreamstime

Depending on how busy an individual's schedule is, they may require a gym with flexible hours of operation. Someone who has a very hectic and unpredictable schedule should consider joining a twenty-four-hour gym. Exercisers who like to work out in the mornings before work will want to find a gym that opens very early so they have enough time to exercise and prepare for work.

No matter how long the gym stays open, when touring different gyms, each lifter should always visit the gym at a time they are sure they will exercise at. By choosing times to tour that are relevant to them, a person seeking a new gym membership will know how crowded the gym will be during that time. Someone should not attempt to workout at a gym that is extremely crowded during their workout time, as this will cause them to waste time they could spend doing other activities.

Continue reading to learn about the influence of the quality of machines.

Quality Of Machines

Photo Credit: Dreamstime

The gym a new member chooses should have clean machines, and machines that are well-maintained. By checking for these two things, individuals can ensure they stay both healthy and safe, and thus, should choose a gym where staff members are continually cleaning both the weights and machines. They should also look for boxes containing sanitizing wipes the gym's patrons can use to clean the machines after using them. Additionally, they should also check the machines are in good working order and are not ready to break at any minute, as a machine breaking mid-workout can be very dangerous.

The perfect gym should also have a good mix of machines, as well as ones able to train multiple muscle groups. A lifter will want to look for at least one piece of equipment that trains each major muscle group. Also, if they know exactly how they will be training, they should look for machines to complement their training.

Continue reading to learn about the impact of a gym's location.

It's All About The Location

Photo Credit: Dreamstime

A new member may not mind driving a good distance to gain access to a good gym, but the best gym for them will most likely be a local gym. A local gym will allow for easy travel between their home, work, or favorite post-workout restaurant. Additionally, it will not be a long trek if they forget a piece of workout gear.

On days where they do not feel like working out, the fact the gym is not close to home is more enticement for a new gym member not to show up for a workout session. It is far easier to stay motivated without the need to exert extra effort to get a great workout in. The fact the gym is within close proximity to the areas they travel around every day will also create some accountability.

MORE FROM HealthPrep