Things To Look For When Choosing A Gym

Introduction

Gym memberships are popular, but they’re surprisingly underutilized. This may be because you can never get to the gym, or it may be that the gym simply doesn’t support you.

That said, this tends to be the excuse of many. When it comes down to it, most of us can make time for the gym, and in fact, the quality of your life may depend on it.

As we age, the importance of staying fit becomes even more important. A gym membership gives us access to the tools we need to keep our body healthy.

While you can workout at home by using just your body weight, the gym opens up many additional opportunities, including access to knowledge and training if you need a helping hand.

If you’re on the fence about joining a gym or have no clue where to start, here are the top things to look for when choosing a gym.

Gym Hours

The best gym is open whenever you’re available to work out. This is why gym hours shouldn’t align with business hours. Whether you want to work out at 4 AM or 4 PM, the best gym for you should be able to accommodate you. However, it is a true night owl who benefits from the 24×7 gyms.

Location

We can joke about the dubious value of driving to a gym that’s a mile away, but the further away the gym is, the less likely you are to visit it. Look for a gym that’s within a five to ten minute drive of your home or office.

Training Options & Equipment

What does the gym allow you to do? And how does this compare to the types of workouts you like to do? Who cares if they have ten yoga classes a day if you like tai chi, and saunas don’t matter if you’d rather go swimming, right?

Another factor to consider is the availability of equipment. It is nice to see a row of elliptical trainers or rowers, but this doesn’t matter if the supply doesn’t meet demand. If a particular gym doesn’t have the equipment you want, it’s best to look elsewhere.

It’s also worth testing out the gym equipment to see if it meets your needs. Most quality establishments like OPEX Gatwick gym offer some form of trial membership and have no problem letting you test things out to see if a good fit.

Simplified Signup

A gym membership is a contract. The best gyms have intelligent automated systems to allow you to sign up for the membership plan of your choice. They’ll have a system like Jumio verify customer age and identity. This eliminates the need to show up to the gym, sign a physical contract and swipe your credit card. You should be able to scan or take a picture of your ID, show your face to your smart phone’s camera and verify your identity. Then you can proceed with payment.

This approach has several benefits. It shows that the gym is using the most advanced tools to protect your identity and payment information. Then you don’t have to worry about your credit card information being stolen.

Then there’s the sheer convenience. You can sign up for additional services like personal trainer sessions or vitamin purchases through their interface instead of having to carry cash or a credit card with you.

Yet your teenager or brother won’t be able to sign up for something using your ID, whether it is kick boxing or protein shakes. The gym should get extra points if you can pay for a fruit juice smoothie with your smart phone without sacrificing IT security.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness has become paramount in the post-coronavirus era. No one wants to sit on a seat covered in someone else’s sweat, and no one should risk a skin infection sitting on an unsterilized rower seat. The best gyms don’t just clean the equipment. Their bathrooms are as clean as the workout equipment.

Overall Value

Compare the price you pay to the amenities you get access to. Don’t choose a cheap membership if you have to pay a lot more to use the pool or take classes. It may be worth it to pay for a higher membership tier if you can regularly bring your friends as guests.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned workout pro or a newbie who’s never stepped foot in a gym, these guidelines are a fantastic starting place to help you find and achieve the perfect gym experience.

While some of you may prefer the old school Arnold Schwarzenegger Gold’s Gym type experience, many of you will want a super clean and modern gym experience, especially if you’re a total newbie.

But what doesn’t change regardless of your experience level, is the desire for value. And we’re not just speaking about bang for the buck value with the dollar, but the overall experience. We all have our preferences.

Hopefully these guidelines help you find what you’re looking for. We highly recommend you visit different gyms in your area and give them a go. Most offer free trails so definitely take advantage of this.

Best of luck and enjoy your gym experience! ?

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.