You’ve made the commitment to get more fit, now what? Where do you start? Choosing the right gym can be intimidating and confusing, so here are some tips to help you choose.
Every fitness center has its own unique atmosphere so you’ll need to peruse their online presence and stop by to see if you like it. Some gyms offer trials which is the best way to get a feel. This is an important aspect because a gym can start to feel like a second home when you find a community you enjoy being a part of. This is very supportive, motivating, and will help you cement your new healthy habits over the long haul by making it a more enjoyable experience. Finding an atmosphere that fits with you is so important for making the gym a great experience.
Staff expertise is important to gauge because if you need assistance, you’ll want to trust the fitness staff. One of the first indications of if you’re in good hands is if the primary staff helping you is full-time. Full-timers are completely dedicated to the trade, constantly trying to better serve you. While part-timers may still have good intentions, their main profession isn’t wellness related and they simply won’t have the same knowledge as someone that dedicates their life to health. Ask yourself, would you rather go to a full-time doctor or a full-time HR specialist that’s a part-time doctor in the evenings. You can also check staff bios to see their background and look for well-regarded certifications such as:
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the NSCA, Functional Movement Systems Certifications (FMS), Titleist Performance Institute Certifications (TPI), and educational backgrounds in biology, health, or exercise science (kinesiology).
Next, you’ll want to get a feel for their programming and equipment. Do they have group training classes you can try and do they have all the equipment you might want to use? Are you comfortable with the cleanliness of the equipment? What type of guidance can you get if you’d like some? Whether you want to exercise independently or you think you’ll want some assistance, you should feel comfortable the staff will kindly and effectively help you.
NO HELP GUIDANCE & EXPERTISE PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE
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Lastly, consider cost and the trade off that comes with it. The cheapest facilities are essentially just renting you equipment. You pay, you get access, you can expect nothing else. If you’re comfortable with no guidance and want to save some money, this could be a good option for you. The next step up is with a studio or local gym that will provide you with more guidance and expertise. This is a great option if you don’t have any experience, if you’re stuck in a rut, just want to have reassurance you have a professional to guide you, and still want a cost-effective option, then is might be for you. Lastly, the costliest is personalized guidance with a dedicated instructor. This is a great option for someone that wants completely personalized instruction to work on specific goals and problem solve certain obstacles. It’s most costly, but worth it if health is a priority.
To Sum It Up
Take advantage of trials where you can to get a feel for any club before you commit. Pay attention to the type of atmosphere, guidance, equipment, and service at the facility. Lastly, consider your needs and the cost of what will benefit you most.
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