How to Choose the Best Gym for Your Lifestyle

Let's face it. These days, gyms have almost become a necessity in the modern age. Waiting on line at the gym will become long, but many people are still willing to pay that price for what they hope is good health and a better body. For those of you who are not sure which type of gym to sign up for or how much you should be paying to join, read this article and find out what kind of gym might be best for you! 

For someone who is young and healthy, paying an admission fee and joining a membership gym can sometimes seem like an unnecessary purchase. For example, in some cases you might be able to do a certain exercise at home or at the local public park. While that may be true, there are many people who don't want to go through the hassle of doing so and would rather spend their time and money joining a gym instead. If you're part of that latter, we came up with a bunch of criteria that we think are good indicators of the quality of a gym and if you should go with it. These are things to think about and consider when you are deciding whether or not you should join a gym.

"The first thing to consider when choosing a gym is basic functionality."

Gyms are usually defined by their functionality. Some are designed with fun in mind and others are supposed to help you achieve your fitness goals. While this may sound like common sense, plenty of people still don't understand what makes a gym different from the others. If you're looking around, you might notice that the equipment varies quite a bit in the levels of sophistication and the types of expertise required to use them. Some are easier to use and some take a lot more effort. That makes each gym unique in its own way, so it's important to figure out which one is right for you before you dive in.

"How many machines does your gym have?"

Beautiful designs, great location and even convenient hours can't save a gym from having an insufficient amount of equipment. Make sure you know ahead of time what types of machines your gym has before you decide on joining. They can vary a lot! For example, some have treadmills and stair climbers but no elliptical trainers. Others have more of the machines designed for lower body work. If you're going for variety, perhaps the best way to describe your ideal gym is by saying, "a little bit of everything."

"What hours does your gym keep?"

To be completely honest, it doesn't matter how great a gym looks or how many machines they have if they keep irregular hours. It's a good sign that the business is making enough money to stay in business if it's there when other businesses are open. If you go to a gym before or after work, or if it closes early on some days, it can become difficult to use the gym. Make sure you look into the hours of operation because a great gym is only as good as its convenience.

"What are the age requirements of my gym?"

We know that this one can get a little controversial, but hear us out. Younger people tend to be more active, and as such have different needs from someone who is in their 40s or 50s. If you're young and healthy, for example, you may not need a certain machine (such as an elliptical) that allows people in their 40s to work out by using their knees instead of their feet.

"How clean is the gym?"

This may be the most important factor when choosing a gym. The facility should be well maintained, clean and organized. At first sight, you should be able to tell that the employees take care of their surroundings. Employees should also be conscientious and helpful when it comes to cleaning them. If you want to go somewhere that will make you feel good, the best way to do so is by going somewhere that looks good as well. 

"What about the staff? What is their expertise?"

Once you have chosen a gym, it's important to know if the staff working there is knowledgeable enough to help you out. That said, don't expect them to do more than they're supposed to do. They are simply there to help you use the equipment and make sure you don't hurt yourself. If you want aesthetic advice, a personal trainer can separately be hired for that purpose. The staff should be courteous and professional, informative but not pushy.

"How experienced are the trainers?"

The best way to tell this is to check if the trainers have any certifications. This shows that they're qualified and know what they're doing. It also may hint at the types of services they provide, such as eating advice or workout programs. If you want to get fit, going somewhere where you have the option of hiring a professional may be the best way to do it.

"What kinds of training is offered?"

Not everybody wants to be fit in the same way. Some people focus on cardio and others want to put an emphasis on weight lifting. Gyms should accommodate these differences by offering  assistance for different types of training. For example, a gym with a lot of cardio machines will have trainers in the area who can help you incorporate cardio into your routine. If you need specific types of training, you'll want to choose a gym that offers them.

"How often do they offer discounts?"

A gym should be affordable and not overpriced. If it has a good amount of equipment and the crew is knowledgeable, the price should be right. If a gym has great discounts, even better! Gyms that offer discounts on a regular basis tend to be the most popular ones because they are usually overall better than their competitors.

"How many other people are in the gym?"

If only one person is using a particular machine, you might feel as if it's not that useful. However, if there's a packed house of people, there's always someone to help you out if you're having problems. If you want a gym with a lot of people and equipment, you'll probably want to go somewhere where there are more people.

"What's the gym environment like?"

Gyms are focused around getting fit, but they're also supposed to be fun. Some people join gyms just because they like how they make them feel and how they think their friends will react when they see them. If you're just looking for a place to belong, you may want to choose a gym that matches your feelings. 

"Who are you joining with?"

If you live with a significant other or a family, your choice of gym becomes much harder to make. You can't simply choose for yourself anymore and when you're considering this question, it's important to think about what the other person wants. They have their own set of standards to live up to and won't appreciate you joining a gym that doesn't meet them. So, whether you're joining with your significant other or not, it's important to find out what they want so you can create an experience that will work for everyone.

The first thing you must understand about a gym is that it is not simply a place to work out; it's a whole community. Gyms provide an environment where anyone can go, whether it be the everyday person, pro athlete or just someone looking to improve their health. Once you have decided that you want to join a gym, take some time and truly consider all the aspects of what that means. You will be spending a considerable amount of time at your gym, so you'll want to make sure you get the most for your money.