5 Tips for Finding a New Gym That’s Perfect for You

By Kate Harveston

If your old gym has lost its charm, it may be time to move on and find a new one. Alternately, maybe you started training by lifting weights at home and have now decided you want to try upgrading to a gym.

The experience of working out among others can be energizing and motivational, especially for those who love socializing. Picking a gym should be a careful process, as you’ll spend many hours at this place, bettering your health and strengthening your body.

The right gym will boost your motivation and encourage you to continually better yourself. If you need a starting point on how to find a gym that suits you, worry not. These five tips will give you an idea of where to go next.

1. Select a Nearby Location

One thing you definitely want to avoid is picking a gym that’s 30 minutes or more away from your home. You’ll have to make a long trip every time you wish to exercise, and the thought of doing that is the easiest way to burn out quickly. When you lose interest, you let your membership go to waste, which costs you money and disrupts your workout goals. Choose a facility that’s close by, preferably no more than 15 minutes.

The location also depends on where you’ll be arriving from. If you typically visit the gym after work, choose one close to your workplace. Otherwise, one close to home is your best option.

2. Examine Gym Cleanliness

No one wants to work out in a dirty gym. Many people sweat over that equipment for the better part of the day, which causes germs to build up. You should always wipe down equipment before you use it, but the staff should also regularly and thoroughly clean the equipment. Cleanliness doesn’t just include the state of the machines but of the gym itself. High volumes of dust cause breathing problems and eye irritation, which is the last thing you want while exercising.

Look around to see if any equipment is out of place or strewn about recklessly. This creates a hazard for anyone walking around. Inspect the floor for copious amounts of dirt and debris, too — you don’t want that getting on you when you do floor exercises. Ask the staff about how often they clean the facilities.

3. Consider the Gym Culture

Gym culture consists of the attitudes of the members and staff, as well as the overall atmosphere. Are the employees friendly and easily accessible? Do they help out those who need it, or are they impossible to find? If you need a spotter, will they look out for you? You should feel comfortable asking them any questions you may have or just having simple small talk with them.

Do you prefer small gyms with fairly tight-knit communities, or do you need a heavily populated space where you can melt into the background, free to lift without distraction? At some facilities, people are less likely to follow gym etiquette, which can make for an uncomfortable experience.

Atmosphere is an essential aspect of choosing a facility. You don’t want a place that makes you feel unwelcome or seems like fellow gym-goers are only there to waste time rather than accomplish goals.

4. Know Your Comfort Levels

If you hate it when people stare or gossip, don’t go to a gym where this happens frequently. How will you find this out? Ask people who regularly go there, or read online reviews. It’s difficult to execute an effective fitness plan for yourself when you can’t focus on your workout.

If you’re a female weightlifter who prefers exercising around other women, do research on which gyms incorporate women-only spaces. Some places are wholly women-only, and these may be more comfortable for you than having only a small section to work out in.

The layout of the locker rooms factors into your comfort, too. If you prefer partitioned spaces rather than open areas, search specifically for these. Some have toilets and shower cabins with locking doors for added security. You’ll want to avoid encountering a locker room that doesn’t provide the privacy you want.

5. Think About Equipment

As a weightlifter, you’ll do a lot of strength-training. If you go to a gym with scarce equipment suited for this purpose, you’ll be wasting your time. Before you decide to go anywhere, check the website or social media pages to see what is offered. Some facilities will cater to certain workouts over others — for example, a gym with mostly dance or cycling studios — so you want to make sure you’re part of the target demographic.

Hit Those Weights!

Now that you have an idea of what to look for, it will hopefully be easier to pick a gym that suits your purposes and preferences. Get out there and explore your options!

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