FITNESS COLLEGE
Now that you have committed to getting in shape, chances are you will want to join a gym. However, with almost 24,000 gyms in America alone, which gym is right for you?
Once you decide to visit a gym, ask for a week’s pass, most will be more than willing to give you this trial membership. During this trial phase, be sure to workout during the time you would normally workout; this will allow you to see how crowded the gym gets as it pertains to you. Also, to assist in getting a better membership deal, consider joining during the summer, not in January. With the warmer months of summer, many people simply exercise outside. This reduces the influx of new gym memberships, putting the consumer in an advantageous situation for negotiations; the opposite holds true during January, due to all of the “New Year’s Revolutioners”.
The key to finding the right gym is matching what a gym offers to the things that make your workouts more effective. However, if you are just starting out, you don’t know what you don’t know—by this I mean, a beginner does not know what things will make his/her workout more effective. Below is a list of items you might want to consider when choosing a gym:
Convenience (Location! Location!!
Location!!!)
Is the gym convenient to get to (i.e. near your home or near your
work); otherwise, going to the gym will be a chore in itself.
Price
How much is a membership? Are there different levels of membership
(e.g. basic vs. premium)? Is there an automatic payment option?
Hours
What are the hours of operation?
Energy
Does the energy you feel in the gym match your personal style?
Hardcore gyms that specialize in powerlifting are probably not the best fit for
beginners.
Type and shape of equipment
Is the machinery range of motion and execution smooth? What is the
maximum weight of dumbbells? What is the real estate of free-weight section vs.
the real estate of machines in the gym? Does the gym have the type of equipment
to meet your goals?
Education of staff
Is the staff knowledgeable for your level of experience? Does the
staff act professional? Is the use of personal trainers, not employed by the
gym, allowed?
Benefits of gym
What benefits are included with the membership? Is there a pool,
basketball court, steam room, etc.? Is the use of the pool, basketball court,
steam room, etc., included in the membership you are intending to purchase?
Classes offered
What classes are offered? What classes do you intend to participate
in? What classes intrigue you, even if you have never tried them? (dance, yoga,
spin, indo-row, pilates, dodgeball, etc.)
Music
What music style does the gym play? Can you bring in music for the
gym to play?
Gyms typically come in two classes: nationally (or regionally) chained gyms or independently owned gyms. Each type offers pros and cons. Which type is for you depends on your individual tastes.
National or Regional Chain Gyms (Gold’s, 24 Hr. Fitness, etc.)
Independent Gym (Metroflex, Groove Fitness, etc.)
If you are overly self-conscious and worried about what other people might think of you, just relax! Here’s the deal, people will not notice you that much; there are always newcomers at any gym. Most people in the gym are focused on their own workouts, and you will become more comfortable once you start to focus on what you are doing with your own workout.
If you are nervous about going to a gym because you have never been before, don’t go alone—go with a friend or two. Remember, everybody in the gym was newcomer some point in time.
If the gym machines intimidate you, ask the staff for assistance. That is just one reason they are there. In my experience, people are more willing to help than not. One word of caution though, if you decide to ask another member questions, DO NOT interrupt their workout; simply wait until they are finished with their set before approaching them.
If you are worried about getting hurt, consider getting a personal trainer. He/She can show you the proper techniques of lifting. If you do get injured, certified trainers should have insurance to cover the injury; they should be able to pay for either part or the entirety of your medical expenses. Gyms, as well as, the makers of the gym equipment also have insurance. So, keep this in mind in case you do get injured.
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