First of all, congratulations and welcome to the world of fitness! You have decided to join the gym and are ready to change your personality among thousands. It will not only enhance your physical attractiveness but also have a great impact on your productivity, increase your confidence, and make you a disciplined person. These benefits will help you stand out from others and make yourself unique.
Now, when you have decided to join a gym, it means you are going to invest your time, money, and physical strength. What would happen if your investments were totally meaningless? That’s why we are going to discuss what things should be considered before purchasing a membership. After knowing these things, I promise that your journey will be much easier.
Membership Price
Before jumping into anything, we have the curiosity about what the price is. Is it worth it for me or not? The gym is one of those things where if you think the cheaper option will be the best, then buddy, think again because you are going to become a part of that community for a long time. Most of the time, when we go with the cheaper membership, we often end up regretting it later.
So, what should the price be? Because it has to suit our pocket.
I always prefer not to go with something too expensive or too cheap—just select a gym with a medium-range price. Now, why am I saying this? To be honest, you don’t need so many multi-machines to build an aesthetic physique. That’s why being expensive is not always better, and with the cheaper option, there are often thousands of problems. For example, lack of machines, poor gym cleanliness, lack of discipline between senior and junior members, and they don’t take your problems seriously—the list goes on.
So, opting for a medium-range membership would be a wise decision for you. Medium-range gyms usually have all the essential equipment and facilities.
Sometimes gyms provide additional features or services like a swimming pool, massage program, or recovery program that are added to your membership or regular fee. So don’t forget to ask if there are any hidden charges.
Sometimes, they have packages where if you buy a membership for more than one month, you will get a discount. Often, if you purchase a six-month or longer membership plan, the gym admission fee is waived, as they cover it through the monthly fee.
Visit the Gym Yourself Once
By now, we know the price range. The next and most important step is to visit the gym yourself. When you go there, you should inspect three things:
1. Enough Equipment and Their Condition
This is important because sometimes people purchase a membership without visiting, just by looking at stunning photos on the internet. You have a specific goal, so go to the gym and experience it yourself to see if all the machines you need to achieve your goal are available.
Make sure there is enough equipment, such as cardio machines, dumbbells, weights, and multi-machines, so that you don’t have to wait long to use any machine while someone else is using it. Also, check the condition of the equipment to ensure it’s in good working order.
2. Maintenance
Imagine you’ve decided to do a 100-kg bench press, and you find the bench with a bad sweating smell. How would you react? Especially if the water filter is inside the gym and placed on the gym mat, it could emit a very unpleasant odor.
That’s why, before becoming a member, check how well they maintain their hygiene. Do they clean regularly? Are the machines being properly cleaned?
3. Atmosphere
This is a crucial factor that will immediately impact your body and mind. It’s wise not to become a member of a gym with a suffocating environment where there’s no airflow. It’s really important for your muscles to be relaxed during workouts; otherwise, you will lose your strength to lift weights.
After visiting, you will experience the members’ discipline, the way they treat and respect each other. If their behavior is not friendly, you will lose motivation at the very beginning.
Reviews
Their online reviews will help you understand the actual condition of the club. We can’t know everything about something until we experience it ourselves. So, those who have already gone through that experience can describe it to you better.
These reviews might come from existing members or former members who were part of the club. They will help you understand what kind of facilities the gym actually provides and what problems you might face. This way, you can discuss potential issues with the authorities beforehand to prevent them from occurring.
Distance
A 5–10-minute walking distance is preferable for everyone to maintain consistency. But there are some factors to consider. Let me break it down for you. How long you should walk will determine how long you will sustain your gym routine.
If you have never been to the gym before and are not a well-disciplined person, chances are extremely high that you will quit within three months.
Distance actually depends on what type of person you are.
If you have a busy schedule or are someone who always searches for excuses, then a 5–10-minute walking distance from your home or workplace will be the best option.
But if you are a disciplined person and truly serious about building an aesthetic physique, then a 30-minute walking distance won’t feel like a big deal to you. You will likely take this time as an opportunity for cardio.
Trainer
Fitness is a very fascinating industry, and its depth of knowledge is as vast as an ocean. Before purchasing a membership, make sure that your gym has a certified trainer. It’s mandatory.
Do not hesitate to ask any questions because you are paying, and you have the right to clear all your doubts. If your trainer is not certified or well-experienced, chances are high that they will never be able to tackle any problems.
If they are not certified and experienced, they might not even know the anatomy and physiology, the correct form, or the proper positions, which could increase the risk of injury. They may not be able to identify if something is a medical issue, a muscle strain, or a serious injury.
Always remember, your trainer will be your most important training partner. They will provide you with a diet plan, help you stay motivated, push you to achieve more than you might on your own, and ensure that your form is correct and safe. They understand how your muscles will react to certain limits. They will observe everything from the outside and ensure you make progress.
Scope Out
You wouldn’t want to join a gym where you have to stand in line behind several people just to use a machine, like waiting for a local bus. This “scope out” has some serious downsides. When you’re waiting for a long time, you can lose your flexibility and mobility. Sometimes, you may become frustrated and skip the workout, which will negatively impact your mental health.
That’s why you should avoid an overcrowded gym. Most cheaper gyms are really overcrowded. It’s not only cheap gyms that can be overcrowded—other gyms can be too. However, the condition of cheaper gyms is often much worse. So, no matter which gym you choose, make sure to ask about their peak hours and try to avoid those times.
Additional Service
This feature totally depends on you. When purchasing a membership, ask them what additional services they offer according to your needs. Maybe you need a personal locker, a childcare section, a personal trainer to hire, or a swimming pool.
Sometimes, you will find gyms that have multiple outlets. If your gym is one of them, ask if they allow you access to other outlets with the same pass.
Sometimes, your friend is a member of a different club, but you want to work out together for the day. If you guys want to lift together, your friend will need a guest pass. If your gym offers guest passes, the process will be easier.
If you need to learn more about fitness to smooth your journey, you might need a fitness class. Some gyms include this facility with their membership, but sometimes they charge extra.
The Bottom Line
Well, which gym membership you choose is totally up to you. But these are some recommendations that will help you select a comfortable and affordable gym. If you keep these in mind before committing to any plan, it will make your journey easier and help you avoid obstacles in the future.
- Select a medium-priced gym and make sure there are no hidden charges.
- Visit the gym and make sure they have everything you need to build your dream physique.
- A nearby gym is preferable to maintain consistency.
- Most importantly, your gym must have a well-certified trainer.
- Try to avoid cheaper, overcrowded gyms, and try not to go to your gym during its peak hours.
- Lastly, if you need any extra facilities, ask about them in advance and make sure there will be no additional charges.
