You don’t necessarily need to join a gym to get into shape, but it sure can help. There’s something pretty powerful about having a space in which you do nothing other than work up a sweat. Plus, it’s one of those things that can make it easier to make working out simply something that you do. It can be easy to stay on the couch instead of going for a run on a cold winter’s night, but when you have a well-stocked gym waiting for you? That removes one of the key excuses people use to avoid doing the work.
So yes, gyms can be great for getting into shape. The problem? With gyms more popular than ever, most people have an ocean of options at their disposal. In this post, we’ll run through a few handy tips to ensure you end up signing up for a gym that ticks all the main boxes.
Location
Location is pretty important when choosing a gym. With everyone busier than ever, it’s important to choose a convenient location that makes it more likely that you’ll actually go. You might find an awesome gym that you like, but if it’s an hour’s drive away, then it’s unlikely that you’ll actually go! After all, you’ll find it much easier to get into shape if you visit the gym multiple times a week for 45 minutes, rather than visiting once a week for two hours.
Affordability
There’s no avoiding the fact that gyms can be expensive. Some charge their members hundreds of dollars each month. In truth, there’s no reason to be paying that much — or anywhere close to it. Signing up for a gym that emphasises affordability, such as Fitness 19, will ensure that you get into shape without worrying about the impact that your fitness journey is having on your bank balance. Remember: a 25 lb weight weighs the same regardless of how much you paid for your membership.
Equipment
The primary reason you’re signing up for a gym is to use the equipment they have, so it makes sense to check what they actually do have before you sign on the dotted line. Most gyms offer a free pass, which allows you to spend a couple of hours trying out the facilities before you make a decision. Use that time to check which equipment they have and, arguably just as importantly, in what quantities. A gym might have a popular piece of equipment, but if it only has one of them, then you might find that you’re continually having to wait until other members have finished before you get a chance.
Classes
Finally, check to see what classes they offer. Most people overlook classes when choosing a gym, instead focusing on the equipment that it has, but they really can make a difference to your fitness journey. In fact, once you’ve settled in, you might find that it’s the classes that you like the most about the gym. Strength training, HIIT, yoga, and indoor cycling are just a few popular classes you can find in gyms.
