Discover the clues to help you find the gym that suits your get-fit goals.
As you take a tour or enjoy a trial gym membership, you should become a detective. With keen observations and by asking the right questions, you can gather evidence to help determine if a fitness center matches your needs.
To help, Mark Campana, a personal trainer for more than 10 years and partner in Armstrong Health & Fitness in Fairlawn, Ohio, shares his gym-selection checklist:
Facilities. Be sure equipment is available when you’ll be visiting the gym for the activity you want to pursue. For example, if you’re a swimmer, be sure the pool is not booked for classes at the times you’ll regularly visit.
Members. Ask about the number of members and if there is a limit. A gym of about 30,000 square feet can handle an average of 5,000 members.
Busy time. Visit the facility at the busiest times—in the morning before 9 A.M. and in the evening between 5 and 9 P.M. If people are waiting to use machines, it is likely the gym is too crowded.
Freebies. If the gym extensively advertises and gives away personal-training services, that may be a bad sign. It shows that it may not put too much value on its services. Such promotions may be a sign that the gym will get packed in the near future.
Age restrictions. Ask whether the gym has programs or spaces designed for kids and teens, if that’s of interest to your family. Check to see if there are limits on when they can be in the facility or if they have to be accompanied by an adult.
Locker room. How clean is the locker room? Is it looked after throughout the day or only once at night? Ongoing cleaning can help prevent the spread of germs.
Floor. See if the floor is dirty. Even if it’s a big gym with a lot of traffic, the floor should be kept clean. This will show how much attention the facility pays to details.
Towels. Is there an ample supply? Where do the towels go? Are the used ones often removed, or is there a large container full of stinky stuff all day?
Staff. Is the staff outgoing, engaging, and friendly? You should be greeted as you enter and then watched by the staff as you work out. Staff should walk through the gym, not congregate chatting.
Equipment. Is everything in working order? Look for frayed cables and nicked paint on workout equipment. Check out the vinyl on the seats and the grip tape on footrests on machines such as the leg press. If they are worn, it may indicate poor maintenance.
Free weights. The better dumbbells are the newer, rubberized ones that have grips, instead of the cast-iron or cement versions. See if the weights are neatly stored. Scattered dumbbells pose a safety issue, and it may take you more time to find the equipment you need.
Schedules. A gym with a spin class does you no good if you can’t fit it in. Be sure the class schedules match your time constraints. Also, ask about when schedules change; often they switch every quarter.
Nutritionist. Is there a dietitian or nutritionist on staff? When you want to lose weight, the staff member should be available to work with you.
Training. Ask what training and degrees are required by staff. A minimum of a college degree in a field related to physical education, physiology, or nutrition should be necessary.
Guest policies. The easier and less expensive it is to bring a friend, the better. Ask how it works and if there are any fees. Some clubs may offer free guest passes for certain levels of membership.
Fine print. Look at the contract carefully and ask about fee increases. Some gyms automatically renew memberships. Others require minimum time commitments.
