What do you look for in a gym?

DEgal99
DEgal99 Posts: 100 Member
edited December 27 in Fitness and Exercise
What's the most important thing you look for in a gym?

Cleanliness? Cost? Equipment? Pool? Location? Just curious.

I'm looking into getting back into the gym, and I'm having a hard time finding one that really "clicks" for me!
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Replies

  • socalgirl68
    socalgirl68 Posts: 85
    Clean, lots of machines and weights, and a pool.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,032 Member
    Heavy free weights. If they don't have up to at least 100lbs dumbells, I'd leave and not work there.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Location is the first thing for me. If it's too far out the way you'll find yourself talking your way out of it. After that I make sure that they have the equipment I like. And plenty of squat racks, so that I have a convenient place to do bicep curls
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I really just looked for location.

    My gym has a pool/hot tub and free classes.. which I never use because I don't like to swim and hate working out with others.

    I just wish my gym had more squat racks.. because it seems like everyone does everything but squat in the squat rack.
  • blakhitman
    blakhitman Posts: 29
    yea location is most important for me too. I mean most gyms have the necessities (for me), but that's cause I only use the gym to get in there lift some heavy *kitten* weights and get the hell out. :)
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Top 3, in no particular order: Location, Squat Rack/Power Cage, Oly Bars.



    ETA: it really depends on your objectives though and what you like to do.
  • gshoemaker06
    gshoemaker06 Posts: 264 Member
    Eye candy
  • Newmammaluv
    Newmammaluv Posts: 379 Member
    Cheap, long hours, friendly staff (not clueless teenage punks that are more worried about looking cute and hitting on coworkers) and types of patrons. I have no interest working out with a bunch of bunnies pretending to work out nor do I want to be surrounded by people working on Mr. Olympia contest 1st place either. I like just being around laid back people working on their own thing where I'm fairly certain that I wont have to talk to anyone. LOL
  • tgh1914
    tgh1914 Posts: 1,036 Member
    Well, for practicality - cost & location. But I know I won't be interested if there's not a lot of free weights and more than 1 real squat rack/cage station & preferably a good deadlift station (w/ bumpers & platform). I also like to see when their busy times are - hopefully not when I wanna go.
  • Briantime
    Briantime Posts: 175 Member
    I hope you weren't looking for me. I haven't been there in ages :-)
  • mike_littlerock
    mike_littlerock Posts: 296 Member
    Olympic weight lifting pits, also look for the absence of threadmills, elliptical and circuit workout machines. dumbbells over 70lbs, same for kettlebells. I like a place where people actually like to sweat and not a fashion show. I am there to work, not socialize.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    Fresh air, no mirrors, no night club thumping music with disco lights, noposeurs, '' personal trainers'' pimping themselves by interrupting my workout and saying im doing it 'wrong', no monthly fees that put car payments to shame.

    the best gym is the great outdoors and the only gym equipment you will ever need is your body. thats it.
  • taylor5877
    taylor5877 Posts: 1,792 Member
    Heavy free weights. If they don't have up to at least 100lbs dumbells, I'd leave and not work there.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    This. I actually just switched gyms because of this.
  • Hestion
    Hestion Posts: 740 Member
    Everything! I wanted a variety of machines, and a decent amount of each so I dont have to queue for ages! Good treadmills, comprehensive free weights section, classes, pool, tennis court, activities for my child whilst I'm there, friendly staff, and helpful as a must!

    Not to look down on people (staff that is) and a friendly vibe from the other patrons, clean, welcoming.

    Honestly my list could go on and on!
  • vvnhuynh
    vvnhuynh Posts: 1
    I think the most important factor is the location. If you have a location that's convenient for you, you would go often! I know this from experience because I have a gym in my two different homes in two states - one that is within a walkable distance I go to at least once a day and I stay motivated. The other is within driving distance. Although the latter is relatively close, on certain days you just don't have the motivation to go and once you stay to drift off from your routine, it's easy to drop the fitness habit.

    So good luck with finding a gym close to you!
  • ash190489
    ash190489 Posts: 587 Member
    Location - is it nearby and easily accessible.

    Equipment - does it have newer good quality exercise equipment & a good variety/amount?

    Depending on what you want to do there, you may want a gym that has classes, a pool or a tennis court etc. at this point in my training, these things don't necessarily worry me, however it's good to have these other things for variety.

    Cost & Staff are important - I hate going to 'big' gyms as costs seem expensive and the staff rarely remember who I am - I am currently at a small gym and the two personal trainers know me and the gym manager. I hate being forgotten or feeling like I am unable to ask staff a question etc because they present that they will 'get to know me' blah blah blah but they NEVER do (they'll say anything to suck you in to a 12 month membership!)
  • dstackable
    dstackable Posts: 48
    Location is always good. I like a rec center over just a gym cause I like to shoot hoops with my workout...
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    location is important
    squat racks and olympic plates
    long hours

    one of the things i like about my gym is that they put money back into it.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    Location
    Classes
    Free weight section
    Hours
    Cleanliness
    How crowded it is during peak hours
    Not a popular 'pick up joint' (many gyms seems to attract the type of people that go to gyms to hook up rather than work out)
    other amenities (pool? track? anything else that makes it stand out?)

    I recently joined a gym that is near my house, is very clean, has complimentary workout towels, has a ton of different classes (including spin and water classes), a pool, a decent sized free weight section, good hours, isn't too crowded during peak hours and also has some unique items like TRX and pilates reformers. It also has a lot of cardio machines but that isn't a major concern of mine.
  • mmenos1023
    mmenos1023 Posts: 5
    Friendly staff and free classes. For my money both are incredibly important. Classes are also a great way to meet people with similar goals and can keep you motivated.
  • shirley_beans
    shirley_beans Posts: 65 Member
    1. Location-is it convenient? My gym is a ten minute drive away, but more importantly there is ample parking and it is located in a shopping center along with my grocery store and pharmacy. Since I find myself there several times a week, it is so easy to go for a workout before my errands.

    2. Ample cardio machines

    3. Variety of classes-Classes keep me entertained and motivated, but this is a personal factor, whereas the above two are necessities for all.

    4, Long hours

    5. Mixed company- patrons at my gym range from young to old, trying to lose weight to athlete. A mixed crowd is important for me to feel comfortable. No muscle man gyms for me!
  • ChrisGoldn
    ChrisGoldn Posts: 473 Member
    And plenty of squat racks, so that I have a convenient place to do bicep curls



    :grumble: :noway: One of those guys eh??
  • butters1
    butters1 Posts: 1,540 Member
    My gym is huge, has tons of equipment and i go during the day....never an issue, love everything but. Next time my #1 concern will be the cleanliness of the restrooms. The whole place is clean, but the management is all men and the cleanliness of the women's restrooms seems to depend on that days staff, and usually they don't care. No one checks up.

    btw....Seriously ladies, why cannot you pee in the toilet> ? :noway:
    I'm really just sayin this for any gym owners out there......the last time i saw a prospect coming through i pointed out to them to make sure and check the restrooms out. They got cleaner quickly but are downhill again. :(
  • opuntia
    opuntia Posts: 860 Member
    What's the most important thing you look for in a gym?

    Cleanliness? Cost? Equipment? Pool? Location? Just curious.

    All of these are important to me, and I will add 'sauna and steam room' to the list, as that is also very important to me. But I've yet to find a gym that ticks all the boxes, so it tends to be a trade-off. At the moment I'm a member of a gym that ticks all the boxes except for cost (it's more expensive than I'd like - but then a gym that ticks all the other boxes is likely to be expensive!).

    Lately I'm thinking that maybe I will switch to a cheaper gym in the same location. I can choose between one that has a pool but not a sauna and steam room, or one that has a sauna and steam room but doesn't have a pool. I have decided the sauna and steam room are more important to me than a pool. In both these cheaper gyms, the cleanliness and equipment are likely to be not as good as in the expensive gym - everything is relative - so I will go and have a look and see if the cleanliness and equipment are sufficient for me, and make my decision from there. I have also considered gyms in locations that are further away, and may check those out, but as I don't drive, I really prefer a gym that's in walking distance. The one I'm a member of is not only in walking distance, but also on my way to work, so it's very easy to develop a routine of going to the gym after work. I think I'd be less likely to go regularly to a gym in the opposite direction. But if there is a gym that ticks all the other boxes, I would check it out.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    What's the most important thing you look for in a gym?

    Cleanliness? Cost? Equipment? Pool? Location? Just curious.

    I'm looking into getting back into the gym, and I'm having a hard time finding one that really "clicks" for me!

    Weights.

    If they have that...I'm good.
  • bbb84
    bbb84 Posts: 418 Member
    Location is the first thing for me. If it's too far out the way you'll find yourself talking your way out of it. After that I make sure that they have the equipment I like. And plenty of squat racks, so that I have a convenient place to do bicep curls


    I see what you did there!!!! lol :laugh:
  • leeanneowens
    leeanneowens Posts: 319 Member
    Location, cost, and helpfulness of the staff.
  • CannibalisticVegetarian
    CannibalisticVegetarian Posts: 1,255 Member
    Location is a big first. The only thing that can sway my mind about it is the cost... which I suppose is a close second runner up. After that comes the cleanliness/equipment... I mean I once joined a free City owned gym (Still a member of but never go) that has the most ancient cardio equipment. Example (I always use this in an argument about why I refuse to go to said gym) they have treadmills that constantly short circuit. Other ones are so behind the times that they absolutely forbid running on the damn things.

    Really? No running on treadmills? Okay. Also, there is a note hanging above both ---oh there are only 2 treadmills in the facility---that reads, 'Do not use these machines if your weight exceeds 180 lbs.'

    With that said, I want a gym that is going to offer me something... Hell I'm not picky! Just make sure the machines work and that the place is clean.
  • cmb0267
    cmb0267 Posts: 7
    I live in a fairly rural area. The local fitness center is attached to a physical therapy clinic, thus frequently the equipment is taken up with patients doing rehab. There are only a handful of cardio machines, limited free weights and plate, but a full complement of weight machines. After spending as much time waiting my turn as actually exercising, I decided it was worth the 30 mile drive to a National Chain Gym Franchise. There are a few out there in the Big Town to choose from, but I opted for the one I did because it has a lot of equipment (of all kinds), good amenities, is very clean and there's a nice variety in clientele, for the most part. My ideal gym would not permit anyone under the age of 21, or at least under 18. The mid-afternoon tenor changes when the phalanx of Cardio Barbies invade after school lets out. Other than that, I get what I need, make best use of my time and think it is worth the drive - especially since the monthly membership fee is so low.
  • manhn1
    manhn1 Posts: 137 Member
    Location is key. Location is important because our time is important. Related to that are parking and availability of equipment. Finding an empty parking space at a gym can be harder than losing weight. And if you have to wait a long time to use that elliptical, you might as well work out at a gym that is farther away from your home.
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