Never before have we had so many choices. Name a fitness trend and we bet someone has already opened a facility to capitalise on it. With a plethora of gyms out there to the most important thing to consider is what type of exercise style suits you. You’ll need to really know yourself, and how you function first. If you don’t have any gym experience at all, make sure you take full advantage of any free passes on offer to get a feel first hand.
Do you love exercising outdoors, happy working out at home, a hardcore bodybuilder or need someone yelling at you just to get out of bed in the morning? Do you like working out alone or do you like the social benefits of group exercise?
When it comes to choosing a gym, we’re all ultimately looking for the same thing: somewhere affordable, convenient, well-equipped, and not too crowded. Below are some tips to consider when choosing your new gym.
Great tips to choosing a Gym
- Find somewhere close by, if you have to go for a hike to get there (unless that’s your thing), it’s highly unlikely you’ll keep turning up. The major issue most people face is finding an activity that is sustainable and practical, so to ensure you stick to the plan, find a location as convenient as possible. Keep in mind whether you’ll get a parking space or not too, no one wants to be driving around the block fifteen times only to miss their class, we don’t think road rage is considered a sport as yet, so try and avoid that at all costs.
- What are the operating hours? Shift workers are being looked after in the franchise style gyms that offer members only access for 24hrs. That’s great, but not if you’re a heavy lifter. The problem with 24hr gyms is that they are not always staffed and therefore without a qualified staff member on site at all times their public liability insurance can only cover them for certain equipment (usually this means no bench press), and a limit on their dumbbell weight, so keep that in mind.
- Do they offer weights only, classes, or both? This will affect the price so decide first what you need and then go from there. Some gyms offer personal training, small group exercise, or larger classes that provide a range of experiences, instructors, and workouts to suit practically anyone.
- Do you love the feel of an old school gym, with the smell of years of sweat to get you motivated, or a modern fresh layout with free wi-fi, a juice bar attached, and bathroom facilities that will make your stay in a 5 star hotel seem passé? Also don’t underestimate the value of a gym’s social environment, feeling inspired by others, or making new friendships might make you attend more often so check out the gym-goers body language and how they all interact with one another.
- Price is a huge factor, some gyms will pressure you into signing up with a 24 page contract, if you find one of those run the other way (yes run, may as well work out while your high-tailing out of there). Make sure the membership can be broken down into weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments and go over the cancellation clause with a fine-toothed comb.
- Once you’ve found the one feel free to whip out those neon bike shorts and leotards, word on the street is that these outfits are making a come-back. And a last word of advice, remember there is no secret to staying motivated, just be consistent, keep turning up and the results will come. Go get ‘em tiger…
