5 Basic Steps for Choosing the Right Gym
In the U.S. alone there are 38,477 gyms! That’s a huge amount to choose from, with the amount of choices seemingly endless. If you’re the kind of guy or gal who struggles with even choosing a meal at a restaurant, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 5 steps that will help you decide which gym is right for you.
STEP 1: SEARCH FOR LOCAL GYMS
As with all important life questions on the internet, start with Google. Type in your search box “gyms (your town)." I live in a relatively small town, and this search yielded 12 different gyms to choose from. Still, this beats the 38,477 total gyms in America. Bring up maps to see how close each gym is to you. Write the name of every gym that seems appealing at this point.STEP 2: DECIDE ON GYM TYPE
After you’ve created a reasonable list of gyms that are close by so that you don’t have to drive to Timbuktu and back, it’s time to search a little deeper. Check to see if these gyms have websites. If they do, go to their page and search for as much information you can. At this point, you are just looking for the gym type. You typically have a few options to choose from:- Box gyms
- CrossFit gyms
- Sport-specific gyms
- Small studios
CrossFit gyms: CrossFit gyms are all over the country now. They teach a specific type of group class that focuses primarily on Olympic/powerlifting. Advantages include planned workouts that vary every day, working with groups, and learning a specific type of weight lifting. Disadvantages include the degree of difficulty (especially for beginners), higher costs than box gyms, and working out in front of lots of people.
Sport-specific gyms: Karate, Yoga, Boxing, and Skating are all sports that often have their own gyms. The advantages of these gyms include learning a new skill different from lifting or cardio and working as a team. Disadvantages include typically higher prices than box gyms, the difficulty of learning a completely new skill and coming up with the money month after month for membership.
Small studios: Small studio gyms are typically run by 2 or 3 coaches. Advantages include small work sessions, avoiding crowds, and the ability to choose from a variety of specialties. Disadvantages include lack of group work in some areas.
STEP 3: CREATE A COMPARISON CHART
Now you know which type of gym you're interested in. Time to get down to the nitty-gritty details. Create a simple table with the following information:- Name of gym
- Distance from home
- Cost
- Features
STEP 4: SIGN UP FOR A FREE TRIAL
Many gyms offer a free trial (especially during the new year and summer breaks). Sign up for as many free trials as you can. Go to the gym at the time you would normally go to get a feel of how busy it’s going to be every time you go. Inspect the equipment to make sure the gym has everything you need and that it’s in working order. Talk to as many people as you can to see if you’ll get along with the crowd.STEP 5: SIGN A CONTRACT
This is the final step. Read the fine print at all costs. Understand cancellation fees and the length of the actual contract. Understand how to get out of the contract if you need to, and ask about what will happen if you need to move or travel for extended periods. Look for as many discounts as you can upfront.If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out my YouTube channel where I put the science back in training. If you're looking to take your fitness to the next level, book an appointment with me and let’s get started!
SOURCES
https://www.statista.com/statistics/244922/us-fitness-centers-und-health-clubs/
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