How to Choose a Gym or Fitness Center

What should I look for in a gym or fitness center?

Choosing a gym that's right for you can be harder than finding a good mate. But if you know what to look for, you'll have no problem picking a good one. Ideally, you want a gym that's convenient, reasonably priced, and has the equipment and classes you need.

The main things to consider when choosing a gym are these:

•location

•cost

•hours

•equipment and classes

•staff

•atmosphere

Location

If your gym is more than a 10-minute walk or drive from your home or office, studies show, you probably won't go -- no matter how nice it is -- so make location your number-one consideration in choosing a gym.

Cost

Membership fees vary widely. Usually you'll be asked to pay a certain amount up front to join (usually between $50 and $250), and then a monthly fee ranging from $20 to $75. Check out the fine print, too. Will you have to pay up the wazoo for the classes you want or to use the pool? Is parking included? Are guest passes available? Some contracts limit the hours or the facilities you can use; others include hidden finance charges or large initiation fees. If possible, start with a monthly or trial membership instead of paying a yearly fee upfront. Also, don't forget to ask if you can receive a refund if you move. Whatever you do, don't feel pressured to sign, even if someone's giving you the hard sell. It's your money.

Hours

You know when you're most likely to work out and flake out, so choose your gym accordingly. Insomniacs and 24-hour gyms are a good match, but workaholics and 9-to-5 gyms aren't. If you work out on the weekends, make sure you check your gym's hours; many close early on Saturdays and Sundays.

Equipment and classes

Training equipment should be clean (ditto for bathrooms and locker rooms), in good condition, and available. This isn't Disneyland; you shouldn't have to spend all your time waiting in line. The equipment should also accommodate people of all skill levels and sizes. If you've found, as many women have, that most weight machines are too big for you, ask if the equipment features smaller weight increments and adjusts to fit smaller people. Also, if you're interested in aerobics or high-intensity workouts, a wooden or suspended floor that gives will be a lot easier on your bones and joints.

Make sure, too, that the gym has the classes you want, whether kickboxing, aerobics , or power yoga . Class times and skill levels are also important. If you have the option, sit in on a class before you join.

Staff

If you're new to the gym scene, you'll want a good relationship with the gym staff -- you can learn a lot from them -- so check them out carefully. When you tour the club, pay special attention to what they're doing. First of all, how many are around? Do they seem friendly and helpful? Or are they flexing in the mirror, ignoring that guy on the stair climber who's having trouble with the pedals?

Even if you're a gym veteran, you might need the staff at some point--especially to show you the ropes of the new machines.

Besides having a good attitude, the staff at a gym should be trained in both first aid and CPR. They should also be certified by an organization such as the American Council on Exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine, or the YMCA/YWCA.

Atmosphere

You should feel comfortable at your gym -- with the people, the place, and the atmosphere. If you don't, you won't go.

Before purchasing a club membership, take a tour during the time you think you'll be working out. That will allow you to see how crowded the gym will be when you're there.

If the idea of working out among professional hardbodies makes you feel shy, you might try your local YMCA, community center, or college athletic center instead. For women who are uncomfortable working out around men, choose a gym that allows only women or one that has designated women-only areas.

If the club is part of a chain, you might be able to work out at a number of sites and choose from a wider variety of classes. But you might also have to deal with a more corporate mentality -- no rule bending and lots of red tape if you want to do anything out of the ordinary.

The little things can make a big difference, too. If music is a big part of your motivation, pick a club with CD players on the machines or one that plays a radio station you can enjoy.

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