You have finally decided that you will join a gym. So how do you decide which health club, gym, fitness center, or workout facility is right for you?
If you are fortunate enough to have a choice in where you workout, there are a number of simple questions you can ask to eliminate the possibility that you will spend money on an unused gym membership.
#1. H ow far is the gym located from you? From your office? A good rule is never to join a health club that is longer than a fifteen-minute drive from your point of origin. The reason why is obvious- it is just too easy to start the trip, change your mind, and turn around. Set yourself up for success and select the closest acceptable club to you.
#2. W hat you are looking for with regards to gender make-up? Personally, I am not a fan of the women only workout facility. I have found, through many years working in that setting, too often the equipment is inferior. I have repeatedly seen women-only clubs where more attention is paid to decorating and spa amenities than to buying cutting edge equipment. It is a stereotype, sure, but too often it is also true.
#3. Visit the gym or health club and see what you think! Always go to look at a club at the same time you intend to workout. Check how crowded the facility is during the time you would be training. Also, it is important to see how plentiful parking spaces are at the time you will be arriving.
#4. Observe the staff. How does the staff greet you when you walk into the club? Are they friendly? Welcoming? Or do you have to wait and wait to attract someone’s attention? Imagine how they will treat you after they have your money if they ignore you before you have even given them your membership fee!
Once you have a staff member’s attention, are you given a tour of the club or immediately whisked away to a sales office? The staff should be eager to show you what the club offers before they try to sell you anything. If all progresses as they should have planned—the facility will sell itself!
