5 Things To Consider Before Joining A Gym Congratulations if you’ve decided to prioritize your health and join a fitness gym! But that’s just half the task. Joining a gym can be overwhelming because, there are so many decisions to make – where to go, what to choose, when to workout, etc. If you are planning to join one, here are five things to consider:
Location:
It does not matter if you’ve joined the most excellent gym if it isn’t close. Do you plan on fitness class in the morning, or after work hours? Choose a gym accordingly.
Facilities:
Fitness centers suggest activities that are aligned with your fitness goals? Do you want to lose fat or gain muscle strength? Are you looking to de-stress? Do you want the workout to be fun? As a fitness newbie, it may be tough to decide what gets you in the groove; hence it makes sense to choose a gym that offers a variety of facilities.
Cost:
When membership fee is cheap, the gym may try and compensate this with volumes. You may have to struggle to get the trainer’s attention. Check the number of participants in a typical group training session. Do they offer special discounts? And do they offer free trials?
Cleanliness:
This is important. Is the equipment clean? Fitness gyms are breeding ground for staphylococcus or staph. This bacteria is known to cause a range of illnesses like skin infections, necrotizing pneumonia, and necrotizing fasciitis. They’re usually present found in training equipment, yoga mats, and strength training machines. Run your finger through the equipment to check if they’re clean.
Working hours:
You should be able to work out when you have the time to work out. The gym should be flexible enough to accommodate reasonable requests about work out hours. Choose a gym that has generous opening hours. But before you join the gym, remember to consult your physician about your decision, especially if you have health problems and certain exercises are a strict no-no.
Resource Box: The Author is a fitness enthusiast based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. He manages a fitness gym and writes regularly on the topic.