Believe it or not, there is more to signing up to a local gym than you think! It’s not a case of finding the closest one and choosing it. There are a few other matters to bear in mind.
Some associate joining a gym like forming a new love relationship or marriage. You need to find the right gym for you and your needs. So, what should you look for in a new gym before signing up? We have a few ideas to help you choose the best one for you.
Location, location, location
The location of your gym is very important. It doesn’t have to be the closest one to your home, but it should be in a location that is convenient for you. If you sign up to a gym that is 20 minutes out of your normal route, chances are you’ll find that as an excuse to skip going to the gym. Choose a gym that is close to home or one that is on your way to work.
Hours of operation
There are a number of gyms that are open 24/7 and others that have standard opening times. The key to considering hours of operation for your gym is when you might need to visit them. If you have varying hours of work each week and want the flexibility to be able to go to the gym at midnight, a gym that is open 24 hours a day is the best choice for you.
But, if you will only be visiting the gym at sunrise, you may not need that much flexibility with their opening hours. Double-check that the gym you choose is open for the hours you want them to be.
Check out their features
What do you look for in a gym? Do you want a gym that offers an extensive list of group classes? Do you want the top of the range cardio equipment? Are you looking for a gym specialising in resistance training?
When looking for a gym, it’s always best to check what each gym has to offer. Maybe a gym that provides excellent showers and hair-drying accessories is what you need most. If you’re looking around for a gym, most gyms allow you to come and have a tour. They can explain what they have to offer and show you around their facilities. This is a good way of determining if a gym has exactly what you’re looking for.
Read the fine print
Unfortunately, there are some gyms who aren’t playing nice. They may have some hidden fees and clauses in their membership contract which will leave you out of pocket of more than you expected or make it difficult to cancel your membership should your circumstances change. It’s important before signing off on your new membership that you completely understand the terms of your agreement. If you’re unsure of anything that you see in the contract, have an open and honest chat with the gym team. They should be happy to explain in detail what is meant by the terms and can offer assistance. If you find that they’re not very helpful, this could be a warning sign that something isn’t quite right.
Joining a gym is a pretty big commitment. It is a waste of money and time to sign up and not make use of the benefits of your membership. Therefore, it’s important to choose a gym with the right features, offers what you’re looking for and has a friendly atmosphere that you can feel comfortable in. It pays off to shop around and make sure that the gym you do end up choosing is the best one for you.