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Tips for choosing a gym

Updated on March 13, 2011

Losing weight, exercising, learning a new language, and quitting smoking are some of the things that we consider at the beginning of a new year or perhaps when the holiday season approaches and try to find the best way to do it; therefore, when your aims are to lose weight and exercise, choose a gym which is best.

So consider the following points before joining the gym:

Location of your gym

The location of your gym should be more close to home or workplace, so there will be no excuse for not going to the gym, but sometimes it is better to choose one place a little further because it offers better service than the one next to the office or home.

For people who do not have time to go to gym, they can do basic exercises like push-ups, chin ups, and sit ups at home to maintain fitness or they can purchase

Reputation of the gym

Ask friends, family and coworkers about the benefits and drawbacks of the gym where they go before choosing your gym. If you want to make some further investigations, you can use websites specialized in gyms or local bodybuilding forums to hear the views of others.

Activities offered and schedules

Visit several different health clubs to find out the range of activities they are offering and you will get a better idea what is available and then decide whichever is more appropriate for your case. You should also check the level of classes they are providing for training.

Tips for choosing a gym
Tips for choosing a gym
Teamwork in a gym setting is sometimes very beneficial while exercising.
Teamwork in a gym setting is sometimes very beneficial while exercising.

Rates, prices and contractual commitments

It is good to compare prices and services of different gyms, as some may have better facilities than others. You should know the details about the commitments of the particular gym you are going to choose, as in some health centers or gyms, it is mandatory to pay a minimum amount in advance at the time of registration and so on. Do not forget to ask yourself, i.e., what will happen if I resign temporarily, etc.

As prospective clients have a right to know the facilities, so you can request a visit to see the rooms and the activities that they develop, the overall atmosphere of the gym, cleanliness, ventilation systems in place, and availability of coaches or personal trainers.

Equipment

You can get some details on the arrangement of rooms, machines, dumbbells, balls, steps, mats, etc and verify sufficient quantity of each one of them and that they work properly. It is important that the gym has more than one machine for each purpose and the rooms should be spacious, well ventilated, and with proper lighting.

A young girl working out at a gym
A young girl working out at a gym
The gym should be clean with proper ventilation systems installed.
The gym should be clean with proper ventilation systems installed.

Condition and cleanliness

A gym should comply strictly with the rules of hygiene and cleanliness, both in the rooms in which exercises are performed and in the changing rooms and additional areas that offer services such as saunas, steam baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, and tanning salons.

Cleanliness and order must go hand in hand. The center must have adequate storage cupboards and lockers for their members to guard their belongings during the time you are exercising. A good way to determine the cleanliness of the site is to visit the showers and if you find them clean, it is a good indication of your gym being properly maintained.

Ventilation

Clean air is essential when we are training our muscles. The facility we select must have adequate ventilation and climate conditioning. In some areas, it is essential during the summertime to have properly maintained air conditioning system, and in some areas, winter heating is also required.

Environment and little details

According to me, a person should choose a gym where you can find people with similar interests to yours and in this way, you can also find training partners. It is also essential to consider small details like the music system, the availability of towels, paper to dry the sweat off the machines after use, drinking water dispensers, etc.

Value added services

It is useful to check if the gym offers additional services, i.e. proper parking space, restaurant or cafeteria, laundry, childcare, physical therapy etc.

With increased awareness of obesity and weight management, personal trainers are in high demand.
With increased awareness of obesity and weight management, personal trainers are in high demand.
Flexibility exercises
Flexibility exercises

Medical Evaluation

In some countries, it is compulsory to undergo a medical examination before starting to join any fitness or health clubs. Here comes the need of a doctor's office where a specialist is responsible for such an assessment. It is important because each person has a different physical condition and the person needs to know that what type of training will be beneficial for him/her or whether or not he/she can undergo that training or not and if yes, how strenuous it can be without risking unnecessary damage or injury to your body.

Personal trainer is trained enough or not

People who are in charge of running the classes must have the relevant formal qualifications that are credited to exercise such a work: Physical education graduates, degrees valid as coach, and other degrees.

Coaches and personal trainers should be available in each of the rooms where activities are carried out, are they are the one who tell users how to execute a routine or properly manage a team. For some people, these personal trainers also provide assistance in designing tailored exercise routines to the needs of a particular person and according to the specifications or the results of prior medical evaluation.

At the time of your tour of the gym or during your first search for information, you should ask if the coaches will guide us when we need it or only show us how to use the gym and that they will prepare proper routines and change according to our personal progress or for those duties, we are required to hire a personal trainer.

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