Working Out at Fitness Gyms

This time of year is better than Christmas time for popular health and fitness clubs. You have resolved to lose weight, exercise more and get muscle. That means that you may also be looking for a good fitness gym. 6 months, 1, 2, 3 year gym membership specials and advertisements are everywhere ... which is the right one for you?

Finding the Gym For You


The point I want stress here is don\'t rush it. Take your time and visit more than a few gyms to get an idea of what you want and what you don\'t want. That $30/month special might look great for your budget, but if all it offers are dumbells and a few cardio machines that are busy at the times you want to go, what\'s the point? Here\'s a checklist you can take with you as you do your gym shopping:
Location: This is first and foremost. Is this gym easy to get to? Can you get to and from home and work with no potential issues? If you plan on going to the gym first thing in the morning or right after work, is rush hour traffic a problem? If there are any problems with proximity, you can bet that going home would be a much better option than going to the gym.

Walk inside and ask for a tour: Pay attention to its "welcome feel". Are the staff friendly and willing to give you a tour? Is there enough space and privacy in the restrooms for you to store your bags and get ready? Check the cleanliness of the facility and the equipment. Check the air conditioning and heat. A cold gym is the worst thing to walk into on a winter weekday morning.

Ask about a free trial: Many gyms offer a free trial period that ranges from 3 days to 2 weeks. Use it. By taking the time to visit each gym to see if it works for you, you will save yourself a lot of money, time and grief later. Use the equipment and take full advantage of the facilities. If you like your experience, you are more likely to buy a membership and stay motivated to keep going.

Look for variety: You may be focused on just using the universal machine or specific cardio machines, but when you get bored, are there other things to do? Some gyms offer different exercise, dance, yoga and strength training group sessions. Others provide access to a personal trainer or fitness coach. Other gyms offer 24 hour service. This is great for those who work strange hours.


Be careful though. There are many that want your business and don\'t care about your goals. So prepare for this and have your questions ready. Stay focused on your goals. Don\'t feel bad if you don\'t like the gym but like the fitness staff. Don\'t be afraid to say NO. You want to find a gym that doesn\'t give you any excuse to not work out. So take your time and shop wisely. Just like you would shop for the right car, or the right house ... your health and fitness is just as important so take it seriously. By finding a gym that\'s right for you, you are taking conscious steps to improve your health :) Good luck.