I’ve been thinking about joining a gym or health club for a very long time.
I don’t have any real excuses, but I’ve been putting it off for at least two years.
If I joined a gym would I actually make use of my membership? Anyone I know who has joined seems to go for a few weeks and then lets it slip.
Most gyms seem to work on the basis of annual membership. This is probably how they make their money, as people have a tendency of signing up for a year and then not actually attending.
But how do you go about choosing a gym?
What kind of things should you be looking out for?
Why is gym A better than gym B?
Is cost alone the main factor or are the other ones that you need to take into account?
What are the monthly costs?
Are there discounts available? I’ve heard anecdotal evidence of deals being offered via certain banks for example, but mine doesn’t seem to be involved.
I’m still sitting on the fence…
Convenient location is the most important factor – I belong to a local leisure centre and for a few weeks went 3x a week at lunchtime; but I had to get in the car and drive there and so with travel time and work out it took an hour and a half. Workout time was running into work time, so that had to stop.
Facilities – do you want a pool, sauna, etc.; does the gym have the equipment you like; do they have classes that you’d like.
Operating hours – also very important if you need to workout before work or later at night.
Staff – if the staff are helpful and friendly it makes it easier to get down there. Hot young men helping me work out is an incentive.
Community of members – do you feel out of place because there are loads of people that you find really annoying (in my case skinny, loud young ladies)? Are you interested in member events (days out, parties, etc.)?
Any friends already belong to a gym that can be a work out buddy?
Cost is important, but it’s not a savings if you pay less and you don’t go because the other factors don’t suit.
Look for discounts (or just ask the staff about them). My gym has offers like discounts for a partner at Valentine’s, etc. Some gyms have off-peak memberships if you can go during the day.