Three Main Features to Look For in a Gym
Don't Judge a Health Club by Its Price - Weigh the Benefits
Jan 22, 2009
Do you need one? If you live in a cold climate and can’t work out outside, then yes, you need one. Unless it’s an alternative and specific exercise facility—say, a yoga or martial arts studio—the most ubiquitous place for you to aggregate your fitness dates is a gym.
It is worth it to pay more for a health club that will deliver something beyond benches and equipment—because it increases the likelihood you will become a repeat customer. Here are the main features likely to cajole you to stick around.
Assortment of Group Exercise Classes
The easiest was to make sure you work out for a specified length of time is to attend a group class. The program is already made for you by the instructor. Loud, uplifting music will be there to urge you on. The moves to perform are generally easy to pick up. And you can feed off other people’s energy. You are all in it together, moving, sweating, having some fun. Try doing the same program on your own—much harder, right? You will have to think of what to do next and motivate yourself—and it’s simple to just bail out and say “done”. In a group class, you won’t dare leave for fear of embarrassment. And that’s the point.
If you really want to work hard, stand in front of the room. You’ll have no wiggle room—people behind you will be glancing at you—you are in their view of the mirror—and you’ll stand up straighter and move better.
Diverse group exercise classes are like group personal training sessions with different trainers. Nothing beats that for variety.
The Locker/Wet Area
Spacious lockers, clean showers, sauna, and steam room are important elements of post-workout fun. Relaxing after a fast run or intense weight-lifting session will satisfy your muscles and your spirits. It’s pampering and rewarding. If the facilities are dirty, towels are not provided, and showers are bare walls with a spigot, it can easily shatter the delicate balance of your willpower and your wallet—you won’t be inclined to come back often—and you’ll feel guilty for both not exercising enough and spending money on a facility you don’t attend. But if you can relax properly, you’ll be more likely to become a regular.
Location
The length of commute is directly proportional to your frequency of attendance. If the gym is on your way home from work, if it’s close by within a short walking distance, you won’t have easy excuses. It will literally stand in your way. All you have to do is get there. That’s the magic of working out next to people collectively doing the same thing with the only edible thing around being water. Working out at home is never quite so single-focused. But if you have to drive to the health club, potentially get stuck in traffic, and look for a parking spot for longer than five minutes—then after a few visits, the aggravation won’t be worth the workout. Make sure your gym of choice is easy to get to.
Health clubs are not a panacea to weight loss. But they are convenient and flexible—once you are member, you can choose to go any time you want—morning, afternoon, midday. They get boring only if you do the same routine all the time. Spice it up, and you’ll do fine.
