So you’ve decided to start going to the gym and probably have a few options to choose from before you make the commitment, but how do you choose between them?
Does one have a swimming pool? Does the other have a few pretty instructors? How on earth are you supposed to choose one that you’ll enjoy?!
NEVER FEAR! FRANKY IS HERE!
I’ve trained in over a dozen gyms over the years and have viewed a countless amount trying to find the right one for me, it’s easy to get caught up in their membership deals and offers which are conveniently ending next week. Every time I go to a new gym I go through a process of elimination to make sure it’s got exactly what I need and that I’m not paying for something I wont use.
Franky loves a list, so here’s a quick checklist for you use to make sure you pick the right gym:
I don’t really know where to start
- Find a leisure centre
- Go to the reception: ask to talk to someone about a membership (get there at the time you are most likely to attend to assess how busy it will be)
- Ask about their exercise classes: get a timetable leaflet and ask to be shown the studios.
- View the gym: see what equipment they have, if it’s old or new, the general crowd and how helpful the instructors may or may not be.
- Ask if they have any personal trainers the gym: find out their rates and availability, try to speak to one to get a better understanding of what they can offer you.
- Fancy swimming: ask to be shown the changing rooms, the pool and get a copy of their pool timetable.
- Ask if they offer any free nutritional advice (usually the PT’s do this)
- Ask if they offer any other services that may help you to reach your goals and grab a leaflet that has all of their information and details of the membership packages they offer so that you can take it home and look at your options properly.
I want exclusivity
- You can do all of the above
- Some centres are gender specific, this may be helpful if you feel insecure about training in a big busy gym with a lot of people.
- Ask to be shown where the steam/sauna rooms are, have a nose around and make sure they’re clean. (Yucky steam rooms are THE WORST)
- Ask about their meal plans and any supplements they sell, where did the meal plans come from? Are they tailored for each person and how?
- Ask for a list of prices for their beauty salon if they have one. Gym, steam and nails? Yes please!
I just want to lift
- You can do all of the above as most popular gyms have a decent set of weights and machines.
- I’d advise sticking to a muscle gym that is literally just a gym with no fancy perks. If you’re not going to use the pool/steam room/exercise classes then why on earth would you pay for it?
- Good muscle gyms are usually found though word of mouth, many don’t have a fancy website and they have strange opening times BUT they are so much fun.
- Don’t roll up with your chest puffed out and your traps up to your ears, the person behind the desk will give you no respect and they probably know more about lifting than you do.
- Ask to be shown around the gym and changing facilities (are there showers…are they clean? Is there access to water in the gym, where are the toilets?). My gym has a unisex changing room…NO WAY!!!
- These gyms are usually quite close-knit so a lot of the time it will be the owner showing you around, make them laugh and tell them what your goals are, be polite and get talking about the gym and your experience.
- Have a look at the kit, make sure you know how to use it all (if you don’t, then ASK!) and most importantly FIND THE BEST BENCHES!!
- What supplements do they sell? What would they recommend? What is the house brand?
- Ask about membership prices and opening times, take a picture of the opening times so you won’t forget!!
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