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The process for the first gym I found pretty much went like this: I went down to the closest gym, which was two blocks away from my apartment, let one of the representatives sweet talk me into signing up before checking anything out, and I gave them my money upfront.\u00a0 There was no comparison shopping, no checking out equipment, no asking about extra benefits, and no questions about their operating hours.\u00a0 In short, when it came to finding a gym, I was an idiot!<\/p>\n
After signing up and forking my money over, I was left with a crowded gym where you practically had to be on a waiting list before machines opened up.\u00a0 Worse than that, most of the female members looked like they ran a few too many 100 yard dashes in 90 yard gyms.<\/p>\n
So in the spirit of making sure you don\u2019t make the same mistakes as me when you find a gym, I\u2019ve come up with a list of the top 10 things you should look for when finding a gym.\u00a0 Whether you\u2019re somebody who is looking to find a new gym, or someone who has never been to a gym in his life, you can certainly benefit from this list.<\/p>\n
Find A Gym #1. Price<\/strong><\/p>\n I might look like a cheapskate for suggesting price as the number one thing to look for when finding a gym, but hey, what\u2019s the point of working out if you have to drive a 93\u2019 Impala just to afford a gym membership.\u00a0 There is no one-size-fits-all price you can use when looking at gyms because lots of things factor into the mix such as the city you live in and your bank account size.\u00a0 But one thing I do recommend when finding a gym is to at least keep the amount you spend under 2% of your annual income \u2013 i.e. if you\u2019re making $30,000 a year, don\u2019t go spending $600 just to get a membership.<\/p>\n Find A Gym #2. Distance<\/strong><\/p>\n Some people might list distance as their number one priority.\u00a0 And I wouldn\u2019t blame them since being able to drive \u2013 or even walk \u2013 to your gym is a big convenience.\u00a0EliteFitness.com Forums<\/a> member Ozzie87<\/a><\/em> is one of the lucky guys who gets to walk to his gym as he said, \u201cMy gym is a 4 min walk.\u201d\u00a0 Even if you can\u2019t walk to your gym, making sure that it is at least a short driving distance will ensure that you stay motivated to keep going.\u00a0 After all, think about how many workouts you\u2019d miss if your gym was an extra 15 minutes away.<\/p>\n Find A Gym #3. Crowd Sizes<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re like me, you like to get into the gym, do your workout, and get out.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think too many people enjoy waiting around for equipment to free up or having to hurry through sets because 2 other people are waiting on you to get off a machine. EF Member\u00a0 shibbs<\/em> definitely seems to agree that crowd size is a big factor as he said, \u201cI think one of my biggest factors is how busy it is... I absolutely hate a crowded gym. Most ppl at my gym are douche bags, or just do the cardio machines. I've seen about 2 ppl that are actual serious lifters. Also it\u2019s annoying that they only have one place for me to do deadlifts, so enough squat racks or whatever so I don't have to wait around would be a huge plus.\u201d<\/p>\n Find A Gym #4. Operating Hours<\/strong><\/p>\n Most people have a time of the day when they prefer to work out and if you fit into this category, then hours of operation will definitely be a big factor.\u00a0 There are lots of gyms that are open into the wee hours of the morning, and some even operate 24\/7.\u00a0 lartinos<\/a><\/em> is someone who values a 24\/7 gym and he discussed his biggest priority by saying, \u201cHours of operation ever since I joined a 24\/7 place. Going elsewhere would be annoying knowing I would miss workouts.\u201d\u00a0 Finding a gym with good operating hours is especially big for those who like to avoid crowded establishments; by going to the gym really early in the morning or late at night, you\u2019ll beat big crowds.<\/p>\n Find A Gym #5. Quantity\/Style of Equipment<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s very important that your gym offer both the style of weightlifting equipment you need as well as the quantity too.\u00a0 When your gym has enough equipment and the right type, it makes reaching your goals a whole lot easier.\u00a0 azntomahawk<\/a><\/em> echoed this sentiment by saying he needs, \u201clots of mandatory equipment like squat racks, place for deadlift with extra padding or platform, deadlift and squat bars, heavy dumbells, cardio area is separate, variety of machines.\u201d\u00a0 ox_sandra_loan<\/em> said, \u201cPower Racks\/Squat Racks, plenty of Olympic bars and free weights, and they absolutely must be ok with me using chalk (and quite a bit of it). I refuse to work out in a gym that won't let people use chalk so they can keep it pretty for all the people who go there but don't really work out.\u00a0 CHALK! One of the best performance enhancing substances available IMO.\u00a0 As a bonus: bumper plates and Olympic lifting platform\/floor.\u201d<\/p>\n twenty47<\/a><\/em> is one person who seems to be having trouble with this aspect as he said, \u201cI just recently joined a gym that has a lot of stuff, but one thing that has really annoyed me is the amount of weights. To do leg press I find myself walking around the gym to get enough plates to load it up. They have a lot of hammer strength free weight machines, just not enough weight racks.\u00a0 I look for variety for each body part, how clean it is, some extra amenities are nice.\u00a0 The gym I just joined has tanning included and that is nice and easy.\u201d<\/p>\n Find A Gym #6. Type of Gym Members<\/strong><\/p>\n Another thing you need to be mindful of when you find a gym is the type of members that you\u2019ll be workout out aside.\u00a0 If you\u2019re a middle-aged cream puff who\u2019s working out for the first time in his life, you don\u2019t exactly need to be signing up at Metroflex gym in Arlington, Texas.\u00a0 On the other hand, if you are a serious bodybuilder, avoid signing up at some corporate gym where you find you have to share the squat rack with your overweight accountant.<\/p>\n liftheavy078<\/a><\/em> talked about how annoying sharing the gym with new lifters is when he said, \u201cThe only thing that sucks about my gym is it is a commercial gym (NYSC) and a lot of people go there just to talk. They literally sit and talk on machines for 20 minutes and don't even use it.\u00a0 Another thing that sucks is most people have no idea what they are doing and take up my time using the machines. You know, that overweight guy that comes in once every 15 days, and hops off and on machines in between your super set. Things like that. I seriously hate the people at the NYSC, the only thing I like is they keep their machines up to date and throw a lot of money into it.\u201d\u00a0 para_shoot<\/em><\/a> had a good comment too as he said, \u201cAlso, gyms that have those stupid step, spin and whatever classes must be avoided because those people clog up the parking lot at prime time. Go build a gym just for those classes somewhere else. Everyone wears headphones so the surrounding music isn't a problem, plus, when you wear headphones no one bothers you.\u201d<\/p>\n Find A Gym #7. Gender of Gym Members<\/strong><\/p>\n Along with the notion that finding a gym where members have similar goals, you should also consider the gender aspect as well.\u00a0 Those of you who are looking at the gym as a great place to meet a lady should ensure that your future establishment has plenty of prospects.\u00a0 Likewise, if you have been married for 10 years, have three children, and are happy with your woman, then finding a gym with 40 treadmills lined with honeys shouldn\u2019t exactly be your top priority.<\/p>\n Find A Gym #8. A Real Gym<\/strong><\/p>\n While cleanliness should definitely be a factor when choosing a gym, you also need a place where you\u2019re actually motivated to workout; not some pansy, corporate gym where the staff rushes to prop your feet up after you\u2019ve done a set.\u00a0 Slyder190<\/a><\/em> had a good comment about this when he said, \u201cI hear people say cleanliness. Yes you want the place to be kept up with, but at the same time, you're at a gym dude, not a day spa. Go to L.A. Fitness if you want to workout wearing make up, see your reflection off shiny equipment and don't want to break a sweat during the course of your workout.\u201d\u00a0 He continued by saying \u201cAnd I like that my gym is not corporate. There's a big difference between making members happy and getting down on your hands and knees to kiss their ass.\u201d<\/p>\n Find A Gym #9. Cleanliness<\/strong><\/p>\n As mentioned before, cleanliness should be a factor when you find a gym as long as it\u2019s not overdone.\u00a0 After all, nobody wants to sit on a pec-deck machine that\u2019s absorbed more sweat than a sauna.\u00a0 Some of the things you need to look for in regards to cleanliness include weights being picked up off the floor, clean towels for people to use, and machines that are wiped down every so often.\u00a0 With that being said, you should do your part to keep the gym clean too since it\u2019s rude to expect the staff to be your personal maid.<\/p>\n Find A Gym #10. Gym Setup<\/strong><\/p>\n Sometimes a gym can have all of the above, yet fail in an individual\u2019s eyes because the setup is bad.\u00a0 And while this doesn\u2019t have anything to do with the main things you should look for when you find a gym, like membership fees, operating hours, etc., it\u2019s hard to get a good workout when you\u2019re trying to peak over four rows of machines at the hot babe on the elliptical machine.\u00a0 dr.sharvargo<\/a><\/em> shares my concern on this one as he said, \u201cthe set up... I like the gym I go to because, where the free weight area is when you\u2019re looking into the mirrors, you can see the upstairs right behind you where all the ladies use the treadmills, ellipticals etc... nice ass views (literally) plus I can work out with good scenery!\u00a0 Although it does get difficult to concentrate at times lol.\u201d<\/p>\n When you find a gym, what do you look for? Let me and the members know on the EiteFitness.com forums. See this discussion: Find a Gym<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gym staff attitudes?<\/a><\/p>\n New baby, when the hell do I get to the gym?<\/a><\/p>\n Do you know what i hate about personal trainers?<\/a><\/p>\n Starting a gym...<\/a><\/p>\n Got married, gained 15lbs, no motivation for the gym <\/a><\/p>\n What to look for in a gym?<\/a><\/p>\n how many guys on steroids at ur gym?<\/a><\/p>\n Anyone know how to get OUT of a gym membership?<\/a><\/p>\n Could you really handle having the huge, ripped, muscular body of a top bodybuilder, model or elite athlete?<\/p>\n
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