Gym Suggestions for Heavy Lifting?

morkiemama

Hello all,

I am going to be looking into a gym membership in order to begin a lifting routine. Anyone have any suggestions on gyms with good weight sections as well as knowledgable trainers to help me with form, etc.?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Greenrun99

Unfortunately from my experience, trainers very by the gyms.. The smaller gyms probably just have people that know how to lift weights as trainers, the bigger gym's may have some professionals or they may just have people they hire to promote the gym and products.. Not really a big help there hey.

As for the gym choices, you want some place that is clean, has a large selection of free weights as well as machines, more than 1 squat rack and numerous benches of varying degree's (incline, decline, standard).. more sets of free weights the better.. and Always try to look at a gym around 4-6 pm after work.. This will tell you how busy they get and how much of a pain it might be to go there after work.. If you go to the gym earlier, go during the time you would be there.. If you go after work, and its busy BEFORE the New year, add 40% to the crowd.

morkiemama

Unfortunately from my experience, trainers very by the gyms.. The smaller gyms probably just have people that know how to lift weights as trainers, the bigger gym's may have some professionals or they may just have people they hire to promote the gym and products.. Not really a big help there hey.

As for the gym choices, you want some place that is clean, has a large selection of free weights as well as machines, more than 1 squat rack and numerous benches of varying degree's (incline, decline, standard).. more sets of free weights the better.. and Always try to look at a gym around 4-6 pm after work.. This will tell you how busy they get and how much of a pain it might be to go there after work.. If you go to the gym earlier, go during the time you would be there.. If you go after work, and its busy BEFORE the New year, add 40% to the crowd.

Thank you for the great tips! Sounds like I need to plan out some test trips for gyms in my area. I really appreciate the input.

What credentials should I look for in a trainer if they have them? I don't want someone to just shove product down my throat... I really need help on my form (squats especially) or I would just follow a book or online guide on my own. >_<

Ah yes, the new year's resolution crowd. I forgot to keep them in mind. I would go earlier (as in super early before work), but that depends on not only gym hours, but trainer availability. This is quite a logistical conundrum. I wish I was savvy enough to go sans trainer or knew someone who not only knows proper form, but can fix my issues with it.

Is there a chain that is known for decent weight sections? Just to help narrow my search a bit as there seems to be a lot of options.

Thanks again!

KS_4691

You should be fine as long as it isn't Planet Fitness.