Your choice of gym will have a massive impact on your fitness. Pick the right one and you have a greater chance of achieving your goals. Pick the wrong one and you might end up stuck in the same place a year after. Here are a few tips on how you should select a gym:
Proximity
Understand that most people who sign up for a gym membership rarely end up using it. Life is hard and it will throw things at you that you don’t always expect. You might be incredibly motivated to train but the weather will turn sour or your kids might get sick. Something will always grab your attention and mess with your plans. If your gym is far away, then the travel alone will make you think twice about going. Time is a precious resource. Find a place that’s near your home or your workplace to minimize excuses.
Facilities
Once you have determined an acceptable radius, find gyms within the vicinity that appeals to your personal preferences. Check out the facilities to see what you can expect if you sign up. Most of these places offer trial sessions for free so make use of these as much as possible. Some of them have indoor pools and other fancy add-ons. Most will have machines for targeted training that is best for body builders. Others rely on free weights for functional fitness. Many have adjacent studios where group classes are offered for spinning, yoga, and much more.
Support
Check the roster of trainers and their qualifications. See if these people have the right background to provide you with the type of training you want. Perhaps you are highly engaged in one particular sport and want to improve through weight training. It would be best to find someone who also plays that sport. Maybe you are aiming to lose weight and keep it off. Find a trainer who has a lot of experience with different types of individuals. The crucial thing is for you to be comfortable with this person and his or her methods.
Cost
Gym memberships are not that expensive but cost can add up over time. You should inquire about the rates and see if there are ways to get discounts. Generally, you pay less if you pay for more time. The rate is higher for those who renew on a monthly basis than those who renew annually. Don’t settle for the cheapest gyms as they might have substandard equipment. Find a reputable one and study the value being offered. For instance, Anytime Fitness prices may be higher than others but you get 24/7 access and top of the line equipment.
