Choosing the Right Gym: 8 Steps to Guide Your Selection
Website design By BotEap.comLose 10 kg in 10 weeks! Open from 6 to 12 at night! As low as RM6 per day! Join for RM28 and February is FREE!
Website design By BotEap.comDoes it sound familiar to you? There are just too many offers and promotions when it comes to joining a gym, and I’ve heard enough. It’s annoying when some of them are misleading and only make it harder for you to decide…so here are some tips to help you choose the perfect gym to call home. 🙂
Website design By BotEap.comChoosing the right gym has a huge impact on how well you stick with your fitness program; For example, if it’s really out of the way but cheap, what are the chances you’ll go regularly? A gym membership isn’t something you buy and don’t use; instead, the more you use it, the more you’ll get and the better value you’ll get from it.
Website design By BotEap.comSo before you decide to sign that membership contract, it makes sense to also ‘check’ first. Attractive prices and promotions may be tempting, but COST and HOT salesperson or receptionist ARE NOT everything when it comes to choosing the right gym for you.
Website design By BotEap.comFIRST, narrow your selection down to a few potential health clubs that you like, and then consider the following suggestions (in no particular order) to guide you in making the right choice:
Website design By BotEap.com#1 – CONVENIENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY (RENTAL)
Website design By BotEap.comIn order for you to stick to your exercise routine and not find it difficult to exercise, going to the gym should be convenient for you. You are more likely to use a club if it is close to your home or workplace. You won’t go if it’s far away or if you have to endure constant traffic jams just to exercise. If you join a club that isn’t right for you, you’ll eventually find an excuse to stop going. When I first joined Fitness First in 2003, it was less than a 5 minute drive from my place of work, and still is, but the closest to my house was 20 km away. But now that there is a new Fitness First in Bukit Tinggi, Klang, the gym is also 5 minutes from home. Now I have the best of both worlds. Lucky me.
Website design By BotEap.com#2 – TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
Website design By BotEap.comBe sure to take a “test drive” at the gym BEFORE you sign up. Sales people, membership counselors or sweet youngsters, or whatever you want to call them, are well trained in promoting the benefits of the gym, so it’s essential that you try out some of the equipment yourself and get a feel for the real atmosphere. . BEFORE registering. You’ll need at least a day pass to try out the gym and decide for yourself before signing up.
Website design By BotEap.comCheck the gym’s website for a day pass, it’s almost always given out for free. Come at the same time you plan to come in the future, change, exercise, maybe try a class, take a shower, relax, and then go home. So, you decide.
Website design By BotEap.com#3 – DO YOU LIKE IT?
Website design By BotEap.comWhen you tour the club, pay attention to details. How clean is the facility? Is the music too loud? Is all equipment in good working order? Too many “out of service” signs can indicate poor maintenance. Do new members receive orientation and instructions on how to use the equipment? Make sure the club is a place you enjoy spending time, because if you don’t, once again, it’s only a matter of time before you start making excuses not to go.
Website design By BotEap.com#4 – GROUP CLASSES
Website design By BotEap.comThis is down to one’s personal preference – if group classes are what get you going and motivated, look for a gym that offers a good mix at a time that suits your schedule. Some gyms have classes as early as 7am, so there’s always something for someone. Personally for me, even if the group study falls apart, it wouldn’t really affect me because it’s not my thing, but it might be for you.
Website design By BotEap.com#5 – COMPETENT STAFF AND YOUR SAFETY
Website design By BotEap.comA decent gym should have CERTIFIED personal trainers/instructors. The International Health, Racquet and Club Sports Association (IHRSA) recently recommended that gym owners only hire personal trainers with certifications from accredited agencies through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or an equivalent accreditation organization. These include: the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM); American Council on Exercise (ACE); the Cooper Institute; National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM); National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF); National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT); and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). A credible certification will ensure that you get a trainer that meets the guidelines for providing safe and effective training. Something we Malaysians can relate to: It’s like comparing a Kancil to a Volvo that comes fully equipped with side impact bars, airbags, etc.
Website design By BotEap.comAccording to the American Heart Association, nearly a third of sudden cardiac arrests outside of homes and hospitals occur at gyms or sports facilities. Therefore, it is best if the gym you choose is fully prepared for such an incident at all times with staff trained to perform CPR, and also the gym should be equipped with AEDs (automated external defibrillators). Also… are they friendly and helpful? Or do they only smile when you sign on the dotted line?
Website design By BotEap.com#6 – HOURS OF TRAINING
Website design By BotEap.comMost gyms open early and stay open late, so this shouldn’t be a big problem. However, before you join, make sure your club is open when you plan to go. Then visit the club at the exact times you intend to work out. Check if the club is too crowded or there are long lines for equipment at that time. In a recent survey of 1,500 website visitors conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), 46% of respondents indicated that crowded gyms are the number one reason that prevents them from going to the gym. Trust me, it can be very frustrating and time consuming if the gym is too crowded when you work out; you end up wasting a lot of time.
Website design By BotEap.com#7 – PAYMENTS
Website design By BotEap.comMany clubs have a variety of payment options (monthly cash payment, automatic credit card billing, direct debits, etc.). Find a payment schedule that fits your needs. Find out exactly what the membership fee is and what it includes – ask around and see how much your friends are paying. Will you have to pay extra for towels? Don’t forget to factor in registration/administrative fees and deposits that may be required.
Website design By BotEap.com#8 – REPUTATION
Website design By BotEap.comBefore joining, talk to current members about their experiences with the club. Also, it helps if the gym is a member of IHRSA (International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association), as member clubs must adhere to a code of ethics that protects the health and safety of its members and also protects you from being victim of unscrupulous business practices.
Website design By BotEap.comWith a little research and patience, you really can find a gym that you can call home, hopefully for many more years.
Website design By BotEap.comDon’t feel pressured to sign a contract right away, but take the time to review it carefully and ask questions if something isn’t clear. You have the right to make the seller wait, even if it is one more week. Once you sign up, give yourself a good pat on the back, because you’ve made a worthwhile investment in your health.