Ready to go to the gym? Make sure to find the right facility for you first. Remember, what works for your friends might not work for you. So it’s best to do a little research and to study your options before making a decision or joining a membership.
Since you’ll be spending a significant amount of time in the gym, and most of the activities you’re going to do there won’t be easy and will require extreme discipline and concentration, you will want to choose a fitness facility that is conducive to goal achievement. You need to check out not just the place, but also the people in it and their overall principles on health and well-being. When you find a gym that has the environment, approach and equipment that matches your needs and preferences, there’s a bigger chance for you to stay and be inspired to continue reaching for your fitness goals.
Check out the following considerations to keep in mind when choosing a gym:
Cleanliness. The state of the facilities will tell you a lot about the gym’s philosophy which can have a big impact on every session and your entire experience there. Check if the main floor, the locker rooms and showers are kept neat and tidy. See how they take care and maintain the equipment. Look up their rules on hygiene, sanitation and keeping things in order. Reports say that there are many kinds of diseases that people are most likely to catch from the gym, so be very meticulous about inspecting the facility’s conditions.
Trainers and staff. Consider the ratio of gym members versus number of staff and personal trainers. Even if you prefer to work independently, it’s would still be a good idea to choose a gym that makes sure there’s an expert in the floor who will be always available to assist the clients. Also, check the qualifications of the team. You would want to work with professionals who will give you scientific advice that will not only result in effective workouts but will also give you safety guidelines to avoid injury during workouts and training.
Workout equipment. Two of the most important equipment that should be present in a basic gym setup are weight training equipment and cardio machines. For weight training, there should be free weights, dumbbells up to 100 pounds, benches, racks, barbells and branded training machines. For cardio machines, there should be a wide variety including treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines and spinning bikes. Consider your specific preferences. For instance, if you love yoga or aerobics, your gym should have designated rooms and equipment for those.
Setup and schedule. Think about the gym routine and schedule that will be most manageable for you. Choose a gym with a location that’s near or easily accessible from where you’ll be coming from. Ask about their operating hours; will you be working early hours of the morning or are you looking for a 24-hour facility? If the gym you choose has branches in other areas, do you have access to those other branches as well?
Cost. Be very clear about the rates and terms of payment for the membership or sessions you sign up for. Make sure that there are no other added or surprise charges once you begin training. If the program you signed up for requires the use of special equipment, will that be included in the fee or is there a separate charge for that? If you will be getting the services of a personal trainer, how does his or her fee structure work along with the gym fees? Look for complimentary or bonus items, and try to negotiate the fee into a lower bracket or an instalment basis.