How to Make Sure the Gym Is Right for You
If you’ve been doubting your gym lately, perhaps due to the recent flock of adherents to the solution, it might be time to quit – and find a new gym.
Of course, finding the right gym might seem like a Goldilocks problem to you. One gym may seem too far away, another is too expensive, and your last option may seem ideal at first, until the moment you witness the unsanitary state of its changing rooms. Plus, there are other gym lovers to consider!
Here’s an important step you should take before signing up for any gym: always try to visit the future gym during regular workout hours. This is a fairly simple tip, but when you make a tour of the gym, for example, on a Saturday afternoon or at any other time when you usually are not in the gym, it is difficult to assess whether it will be loaded when you exercise.
Take my current gym; It’s empty on weekends, but on Tuesday at 6:00 pm you can stretch your limb without accidentally hitting someone in the face. Of course, after visiting the weekend, I had the false impression that he would be free of the crowd for the entire week, and very much regretted signing up so quickly.
To avoid this fate, ask for a guest pass that will give you access to the gym at different times and on different days (ideally at least a week). From experience, the guest ticket is significantly better than the trial period offered by some gyms (eg Equinox); usually you have to give up your credit card for the trial, and if you choose not to register at the end, you must cancel your subscription before it expires.
We all know how difficult it can be to cancel a gym membership, so try to get around that by getting a guest pass that doesn’t require your card. (And if they don’t offer a pass and you’re forced to pass the test, well, here’s how to successfully cancel your membership . However, in experience, even crappy gyms will allow you to try out the center for at least one day.)
From now on, you can decide if this gym is worth your money. Perhaps this up-and-coming gym is busy weekends due to the large number of personal trainers and their clients. Or maybe the morning is the worst for the crowd. You won’t know if this gym is right for you if you don’t visit it at the right time.
What else do you need to consider before registering? Well, that depends on your goals and personal preference. Some people prefer a simple gym without a sauna or huge changing rooms. Others may register precisely because of these conveniences. In general, we would suggest a few things:
- If you are exercising outside of normal hours, consider the opening hours of the gym.
- If you’re an athlete, think about the number of squat racks available.
- If you’re looking to do a cardio workout, pay attention to the condition of treadmills, bicycles, and ellipticals.
- If you are doing group training, take a look at the gym calendar for class suggestions.
Finally, price should be the deciding factor in the decision-making process. Do a little research and study other gyms in your area and their monthly fees to see if they are comparable, and let that influence your final decision.
Of course, before registering, you should also know that there is a negotiation process going on. After all, gyms want your business, and they can be additional incentives to get you to get in (and stay there). Here’s how to make a great deal.