With the New Year approaching many people are deciding to finally get there fitness goals going by joining a gym. We have asked David Rich from DavidRichFitnessNaked: What to look for when looking for the right health club?
1. Convenience
You should know when it’s most convenient for you to workout. Are you planning on working out after work to beat traffic? Then join a gym that’s right by you’re work. Spend 5-10 ten minutes walking there (exercise) then workout. You’ll be spending less time on the road, because traffic will have died down by the time you get off, and you’ll be able to spend more time exercising. If you plan on working out a couple times a week and on the weekends join one that’s close to you’re house, preferable in walking or biking distance. If you’re going to workout at 10:30PM and a gym closes at 11PM find one that’s open later. Make things easy on yourself, make exercise convenient.
2. Crowds
If you plan on working out at 6PM but when you walk into the gym at that time it’s packed full of people and every piece of equipment is taken it might not be the best workout environment for you. Either workout at a time when the gym is not crowed, like on your lunch break, before work, late at night, or during the middle of the day or find a gym that is not crowded.
3. Equipment
Observe the fitness equipment to see if all the equipment is old, run down, and broken that’s not going to be a good gym to join. Make sure you join a gym with some good equipment and plenty of free weights and functional equipment like balls, balance boards, and bands. If you plan on swimming join one with a pool. If you’re cardio is basketball join on with a court.
4. Environment
Is the gym old, dirty, stinks, and looks like it’s about to fall over? Are the people rude, too old or too young? Those are things you should consider when joining a gym. Sure if the gym is in a perfect location and has everything I need but the average age of the member is 70 then I’ll be able to overlook that. Just make sure it’s an environment you can train in.
5. Cost
Obviously if you can’t afford the gym membership you won’t be able to join that gym. But at the same time don’t be cheap when it comes to you’re health. If spending that extra $50 more a month to get that top quality gym, that you love going to, then I’d say it’s well worth it. Think of all the money you waste every month on things you don’t really need. Exercise is something you need. Once again what you pay is what you get. If you want to workout at 6pm in the gym with new equipment and no crowds then expect to pay a lot more for it. But if you don’t have a lot of money and can workout during off hours then join a gym that cost less and just go when there aren’t so many people.
Note: Never let cost stand in you’re way of getting fit. I’ve made a beach workout video, these exercises can also be done out most parks, that will show you how to get in great shape outdoors. If you really need a gym, which most people do, most of the more affordable gyms will over great specials every few weeks, I’m talking less then $30 a month in some areas. Just let a sales counselor at one of these gyms know you want to join but can only afford x amount and to call you when a good special comes up.
6. Friends
For some people this could be the most important factor, either because you want to avoid them or workout with them. I don’t think you should really relay on friends, especially if there in the same boat you’re in, then it’s just blind leading the blind. But working out with friends can be very motivating. I see working out with friends as an added bonus: If they all join a gym and workout at the same time as you plan on working out then great. But if they all quit by March then to bad for them, they should have bought the “Looking Great Naked Training System”, like you did, to give them the guidance they need.
Note- If you really feel need the guidance of someone to achieve you’re goals then I would highly recommend a personal trainer.
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