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Have you
made the commitment to begin a workout program? If so, your next job is
to find a gym that you will enjoy going to regularly. If you choose a
gym that doesn’t feel comfortable, more than likely you will lose
interest quickly and stop going to work out altogether. By choosing a
gym that’s a good fit for you, it will be easier for you to stay on
track and attain your health and fitness goals.
If you
feel that a traditional gym isn’t right for you, then you will
definitely want to set up a home gym where you can do your workouts in
privacy. There are some good home gym systems on the market that
include the equipment necessary to perform
all the key lifts in your workout routine.
Now, let’s
look at the 10 key factors you should look at before making your
decision:
1. Location
It is important that you either choose a gym close to where you live,
or one that you pass by, or near, on your way to and from work. After
spending a long day at work you don’t want to spend another hour
fighting traffic at rush hour, another hour at the gym, and then a good
half hour getting home. If you pass by your gym every day on your way
to work, it will serve as a reminder that you should get your butt in
there and work out.
2. Membership
Cost
Costs of membership at gyms can vary greatly, so it will pay you to
shop around. Another consideration besides cost is the length of the
contract that you sign. A lot of gyms like to get you hooked for years.
If that makes you feel uncomfortable tell them you want something short
term or look for another gym.
The best bargains to be found in membership costs will be around the
end of summer and near the beginning of a new year. Many gyms offer
special promotions during these times.
3. Membership
Demographic
Something you will want to inquire about is the demographic makeup of
the members of the gym. Lots of women prefer going to an all female gym
simply because they feel more comfortable there. Others prefer a mixed
gym as it is a good place to socialize and perhaps meet an interesting
person they might want to date.
4. Additional
Benefits
Ask if the gym offers additional benefits or services. If so, find out
if they are covered by your basic membership or if they charge an
additional fee for them. Examples of additional benefits or services
could include fitness testing, nutritional counseling, physiotherapy,
massage therapy and daycare services.
5. Operating
Hours
Be sure to find out the hours of operation at the gym you’re interested
in. If you are an early morning person who wants to hit the gym first
thing, or if you’re a night owl and prefer working out at night, you
need to know in advance if the gym will be open.
Some people like to go to the gym on holidays because they
have extra time to devote to a really good workout. If you're one of
these people, you will want to ask about their holiday hours as well.
6. Personal
Training Services
Having
personal trainers on staff is important if you are serious about
reaching your fitness potential. You might have a program that you are
currently satisfied with, but if you hit a plateau down the road, you
may need some assistance in improving your regime.
You will find some gyms that will hire just about anyone who
possesses a basic interest in health and fitness. For this reason,
inquire about the certification their personal trainers hold.
7. Group
Fitness Classes
Inquire
about what group fitness classes are available at the gym and whether
or not there is an additional fee for them. Sometimes plain old boredom
will kick in and a group class might be just the answer to get you
motivated again.
There
is such a wide variety of different types of fitness classes today that
they are bound to have one that will interest you.
8. Cleanliness
Gyms can be a breeding ground for germs, so you want one that is kept
clean. First off, you want to work out on equipment that is clean. Ask
to have a look around. Check out the bathrooms and change rooms to see
that they measure up to what you expect. Look for spray bottles and
towels around the gym that can be used to clean up after workouts or
before you use the equipment if you feel it isn’t clean enough.
9. Type and
Quality of Equipment
First of
all check to see that they have the type of equipment you prefer. Make
sure there are a sufficient number of dumbbells available to handle
rush hours. If you prefer working out on machines, check out the
variety of machines that they have, making sure you will be able to
work all the muscle groups of your body.
If you do
a lot of cardio training on machines, make certain that there are
sufficient machines available.
There
is probably nothing more frustrating than making a trek to the gym to
find out there isn’t a machine in sight that is available for your use. Some gyms have started to offer a sign-up list
for members so they can write their name down to reserve a time to work
out, or to reserve a specific machine. This system seems to work well,
so you can be assured of being able to work out when you get there. Ask
if the gym has this sign-up system available.
10. Cancellation Policy
Last, but not least, ask about their cancellation policy. If your
employer decides to transfer you to a different location and you have
signed a 3 year membership contract, you need to know how it will be
handled by the gym. Will they give you a partial refund or do they have
a gym in the city where you are moving allowing them to transfer your
membership?
Before you
settle on a gym, find out the specifics on the 10 points listed above.
If you overlook even one of these, it could lead to a bad experience
and cause you to give up your resolve to stick with your program.
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