I have spent lot of time talking about group-ex, but these days my exercise routine revolves around training on the gym floor, rather than in the studio. So it’s time to devote an article to gyms themselves. Choosing the right gym is important – it is your home from home, and your haven from daily stress. Like most things in life, there isn’t a one-fits-all solution when it comes to picking the right gym. It is down to your personal preferences and your own set of values. I don’t want to flog the romance analogy, but you might not find your perfect gym on the first try – you may need to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince. And even after committing, you may find your needs change over time, and a divorce is on the cards. In matters of the gym, as with the heart, settling is not an option!
So what factors should you evaluate in choosing a gym? How do find your perfect gym, with so many choices out there?
Cost: Whilst cost is not the be-all and end-all, it is important. Some gyms can burn a huge hole in your salary. If money is the prime driver for you, there are tons of low-cost gym options out there. Gyms like PureGym and EasyGym offer monthly memberships for less than £25. Despite their low costs, many of these facilities boast an impressive array of gym kit and free weights, rivaling many of the more high-end gyms. The one thing you’ll forsake with these gyms is the frills and extra amenities – so you can forget the free towels.
Routine: What you do in the gym should define what type of gym you join. If your routine primarily consists of weight training, there is no point in joining a gym with tons of rowing machines and treadmills, and few free weights. I would expect sensibility to prevail in this decision as it wouldn’t be prudent to fork over £90 per month to join a gym with a pool and tons of cardio equipment if you don’t plan to use them.
Classes: When I rocked up to London many years ago, I was at the height of my group-ex addiction. So, I chose Virgin Active, since it offered all the Les Mills classes I could ever dream of. If you are a group-ex junkie, you should find are facility that offers a varied and comprehensive class schedule.
Location: For many, location is the key when choosing a gym. You’re more likely to hit the gym if it’s near your home or your work. If your record of attendance is predicated on location, then definitely try to find a gym nearby. There’s no point in joining a fancy gym way out of your daily route if you’re never going to visit it.
Flexibility: This relates to the point above. I want flexibility in location, so I have joined a gym with multiple branches that enables me to frequent one close to my office and one closer to home at the weekend. Most gym chains offer flexibility if you’re willing to pay a bit extra.
Culture: This is a big one, and one of the main factors that will dictate whether you stick with a gym or not. A lot of this comes down to the clientele. I am a corporate bod so my preference is towards a corporate gym. However, you might like the community feel of your local gym. The gym is a great place to make friends, so choose one where you’ll meet your kind of people.
Indulgence: This comes back to the cost element above. If you want a gym that affords you with a bit of pampering time beyond the workout, choose one that ticks this box. In addition to saunas and steam rooms, many gyms boast spa treatments, manicures and hairdressing - a one-stop shop for all your health and beauty needs.
Cleanliness: If the cleanliness of the gym and its facilities is important to you, then you might want to consider more mid-to-high range gyms over the no-frill ones. Whilst for me the changing rooms and washroom facilities at some of these no-frills gyms is fine, I can’t dispute the fact that the upkeep and tidiness of higher priced gyms is better.
Family/child friendliness: Many gyms are a retreat for the entire family, especially at the weekends or after school hours. If you want the combo of a workout facility and a haven for family fun, you could opt for a gym with a pool and restaurant or cafe on the premises.
Childcare: To give mothers out there a short respite and opportunity to workout or attend a class without worrying about childcare, many gyms such as Virgin Active offer crèche services. This undoubtedly should be a something parents keep in mind.
As you can see, not all gyms are created equal, so your choice will come down to your personal needs. And remember – you can always change your mind, so keep trying until you find your perfect match. There is a gym out there for every body!