Have you found the right gym for you?
If getting fit is top of your New Year’s Resolutions, don’t just sign up to the first gym you find. There are different gyms suited for different people.
Whether you are a weight lifter or cardio-fiend, a lone lunger or social spinner, Fitness First have the answer to finding the gym that is right for you.
Follow these simple guidelines from Fitness First’s David Perrin, and you will be well on your way to a new you.
If you're looking to join a gym, what are the three key factors you should consider?
I think that from a practical point of view the location, cost and if you feel there is value in joining are key here. E.g. is it worth your goal and is it worth travelling to the gym, if so this will give you a good idea on if you should commit to joining. From a goal point of view the general level of support the gym provides should be a key factor here. A majority of people are not strong minded or motivated enough to train on their own or exercise at home, therefore if you need support one on one or in small groups surrounded by like minded people you should certainly consider this when selecting a gym. Understanding what you want to get out of joining will also help along the decision.
Are all gyms pretty much the same?
No, you’ve got your low cost basic gyms to mid and high end, and all of these offer different things. Low cost budget gyms tend to offer the space to work out and of course the equipment but in general that’s it, there is no support here so those who need motivating a touch more may be best off aiming a little higher. A mid market facility offers more of a support platform and certainly a friendly atmosphere with more interaction and familiarity. The high end market gyms include this along with added facilities such as crèches, tennis courts, swimming pools. The one you choose doesn’t always depend on costs and again your goal comes into play here, it’s all about what you aim to achieve and how you want to get to your goal.
How can you tell if a gym is right for you?
It all comes down to how you feel from the interaction you initially receive. Do you feel part of a club? Do you feel supported? First impressions make a big impact and if you don’t feel comfortable in the environment you are much less likely to want to make enough visits to make an impact on your fitness routine. This means it is often less about the facilities and more about how you feel at this point.
Should you test a gym out before joining?
Why not, try before you buy always makes you feel more comfortable and often allows you to get a better picture of the value you are being offered here. A lot of gyms do not do this however at Fitness First we feel its key for people to really get a feel for the support we offer so we provide a free visit for anyone thinking of joining and on Friday’s all members can bring a friend for free!
What's the best way to maintain your motivation and get the most out of your gym membership?
Variety! Gyms offer a variety of training concepts from personal trainers to classes to small workouts to one on one. This variety of classes ensures you don’t get bored with doing the same workout and also benefits the body from working new muscle groups. Connecting to people and finding others who want to achieve the same goal is also very useful as it can add the benefits of sharing tips and even a healthy sense of competition and challenge to your workout.
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