Comments on: How to Choose a Gym http://simplyfitnessgear.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-gym Fitness Tips and News from SimplyFitnessGear.com Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:37:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Emily http://simplyfitnessgear.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-gym/comment-page-1#comment-674 Emily Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:39:17 +0000 http://simplyfitnessgear.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-gym#comment-674 I agree that research is key! I live in Austin, where there is a big emphasis on supporting local business, so when I was looking to join a gym, I looked at two independent ones first. The problem was they both closed really early, especially on weekends, which wouldn't work with my schedule. Lifetime Fitness is supposed to be great and have tons of amenities, but I knew I didn't want to spend $60+ a month just to work out at a place that has a pool, spa, and smoothie bar. I toured a Gold's Gym near me and that ended up being perfect. My up-front fee was steep, but now I only pay $32 a month -- so affordable. It's very near my house which helps, and is HUGE so I never have to wait for equipment, even after work. Best of all, because it's a large corporate facility, it's hours are better -- I think it might actually be open 24 hours -- so I can go whenever I need to. Sure, it would be nice to have a pool, but my apartment has one. Sure, it would be nice to have a place that has a spa, but there are gazillions of other spas I can go to if I need a massage. Plus, the Gold's near me has a smoothie shop next door. The decision was easy for me, especially because I'm a recent college grad and didn't have too much money so spare. I really like your suggestions here -- especially to visit the gym during busy times. I briefly joined a Bally's when I lived in Houston and the place was great during off-hours, but if you went in the evenings near the after-work crunch, you couldn't find an open machine. I don't think it's worth paying for a gym if you run into that kind of problem. Definitely better to know ahead of time! I agree that research is key! I live in Austin, where there is a big emphasis on supporting local business, so when I was looking to join a gym, I looked at two independent ones first. The problem was they both closed really early, especially on weekends, which wouldn’t work with my schedule. Lifetime Fitness is supposed to be great and have tons of amenities, but I knew I didn’t want to spend $60+ a month just to work out at a place that has a pool, spa, and smoothie bar.

I toured a Gold’s Gym near me and that ended up being perfect. My up-front fee was steep, but now I only pay $32 a month — so affordable. It’s very near my house which helps, and is HUGE so I never have to wait for equipment, even after work. Best of all, because it’s a large corporate facility, it’s hours are better — I think it might actually be open 24 hours — so I can go whenever I need to. Sure, it would be nice to have a pool, but my apartment has one. Sure, it would be nice to have a place that has a spa, but there are gazillions of other spas I can go to if I need a massage. Plus, the Gold’s near me has a smoothie shop next door. The decision was easy for me, especially because I’m a recent college grad and didn’t have too much money so spare.

I really like your suggestions here — especially to visit the gym during busy times. I briefly joined a Bally’s when I lived in Houston and the place was great during off-hours, but if you went in the evenings near the after-work crunch, you couldn’t find an open machine. I don’t think it’s worth paying for a gym if you run into that kind of problem. Definitely better to know ahead of time!

]]> By: Tom http://simplyfitnessgear.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-gym/comment-page-1#comment-385 Tom Sat, 17 May 2008 02:02:23 +0000 http://simplyfitnessgear.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-gym#comment-385 Thanks for the list. I'd like to join a gym this is really helpful. I've only been a member at the local YMCA which is fairly new and in good condition, but not ideal. I couldn't agree more with your suggestion to visit prospective gyms at peak time. That was the biggest problem I had. I would go when it was convenient for me, but the gym would be packed, and it would be nearly impossible to use the equipment I wanted to. Thanks for the list. I’d like to join a gym this is really helpful. I’ve only been a member at the local YMCA which is fairly new and in good condition, but not ideal. I couldn’t agree more with your suggestion to visit prospective gyms at peak time. That was the biggest problem I had. I would go when it was convenient for me, but the gym would be packed, and it would be nearly impossible to use the equipment I wanted to.

]]>