How to choose a gym
If you’ve decided to join a gym to help
make exercise a regular part of your routine, congratulations! Before you make a commitment, consider taking a tour of the facility and ask yourself the following questions:
Is the gym close by?
Ideally, a gym should be close to your home or workplace, or on a route that you normally take each day to help you stick to your routine.
Are the hours compatible?
If you’re an early riser, or work shifts, you’ll want a facility that’s open to suit your schedule.
What are the costs?
Some gyms charge a large initiation fee as well as hefty monthly fees. If you love the classes or amenities and plan to attend often, the money may be well spent. Otherwise, a no-frills set-up may work for you. If your schedule is erratic, look for a gym that offers pay-as-you-go or short-term memberships.
Are you locked in?
You may be required to sign a contract. Read the fine print to learn details such as the duration of the contract and whether you can break it, what happens at the end of the term and how to terminate the contract, if necessary.
Does it offer the activities you enjoy?
If you have a passion for Pilates or a yearning to try boxing, find a facility that caters to your tastes. If machines make your day, take a tour to ensure that it has a good variety of equipment with no lineups at the time of day you plan to attend.
Does it make you feel good?
If you like the feeling you get when you walk through the door, you’re more likely to head out to your gym. Before you commit, take a tour of the facilities, accept a complimentary pass or two and talk to the other patrons.