Gym walk through tomorrow

mitsimr
mitsimr Posts: 194 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have found a gym that is affordable to me and I have an appointment for afford walk through. Is there any questions I should ask. I have never joined a gym before and am unsure what to expect.

Replies

  • daisybelle84
    daisybelle84 Posts: 30 Member
    I am visiting one for the first time tonight and trying out the spin class! Good luck to you!
  • Unknown
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  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    They will very likely offer you some free time with a personal trainer. Be aware, that's usually to get you to pay for his/her services after that one free session. Also, they should be asking you what your goals are so they can gear your walk through toward those goals.
  • Witchdoctor58
    Witchdoctor58 Posts: 226 Member
    Are there lines for the equipment you prefer to use? Are there enough benches and room to move? Does the music they pipe in annoy you or motivate you? Is there parking or is it otherwise accessible enough so that you will use it? Is the gym open during the hours you want to go? Are there staff around to show you how to use a machine? Are the patrons friendly, cliquey, helpful, selfish? Do you like the "vibe" in general? Are the locker areas and rest rooms clean? Do you feel safe there?

    I have belonged to a small urban gym, a large suburban gym and two large chain. Each has its own personality, and it varies between gyms even in the same chain, two blocks apart from each other. Sometimes the silliest things kept me away. Lucille Roberts was too pink. Another gym played only a racist radio station. I preferred some Planet Fitness gyms over others, because of the availability of equipment and rock vs top 40 radio being played.

    I find that I do better if I work out using my own equipment and DVDs, because I'm not squandering my time traveling, and I can do it on my schedule. I quit going to formal gyms. The price for that was losing access to the specialized equipment, but I am more likely to exercise this way. The bottom line is to like the place enough so that you will actually use it, and also that is accessible enough. Lots of gyms make a fortune on people who come during early January and never show up again.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    _MistahJ_ wrote: »
    Do they allow curling in the squat rack? Do they even have a squat rack?

    do they have more than one squat rack? one is not enough, what if its in use when you get there? thats the first thing i look for. # of squat racks, # of bench presses, and where can i deadlift. nothing else matters.
  • OfficialDSXIII
    OfficialDSXIII Posts: 91 Member
    _MistahJ_ wrote: »
    Do they allow curling in the squat rack? Do they even have a squat rack?

    I used to think this was a joke, but I saw someone doing it the other day. They weren't even using the bar.. they seriously brought dumbbells in there.
  • Guns_N_Buns
    Guns_N_Buns Posts: 1,899 Member
    Think about yourself; what's going to hinder you from wanting to go: Someone gave you a mean mug? it was really busy? too many bad smells? Not enough squat racks? Equipment sucks? Your ex works out there?....OBSERVE. A staff member is going to tell you what you want to hear until you sign your life away. Trust your intuition. If you think anything will make you timid or uncomfortable to want to go to the gym, then I'd choose another gym.
  • LiveLoveRunFar
    LiveLoveRunFar Posts: 176 Member
    Before joining I like to do the free week pass that a lot of them have. But U have to ask for it. That way I can go in at the times of day I would normally go and see how crowded they are and whether there's enough equipment.
  • ObsidianMist
    ObsidianMist Posts: 519 Member
    I would be looking for squat racks, sufficient weight plates, bench presses. but it really depends on what you'll be doing.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    LiveLoveRunFar wrote: »
    Before joining I like to do the free week pass that a lot of them have. But U have to ask for it. That way I can go in at the times of day I would normally go and see how crowded they are and whether there's enough equipment.

    Yep get a free week pass, go at the times you normally would to check it out.
  • heatherheyns
    heatherheyns Posts: 144 Member
    If they don't have a free pass, try to do the visit during the busy after work hours (or whenever you would normally go) so you can see how busy it is. Questions are less important than observing things. Is it clean? Are people cleaning up after themselves? Do They have the equipment you want? Are their hours good? Do they have classes you want at times that work for you? The problem working there are sales people, so they often have good answers when you really need to just take a good look around.
  • mitsimr
    mitsimr Posts: 194 Member
    Ok I went today. There is only one squat rack but its not a very busy gym. When I went for my walkthrough there was only one person there and I went at the time I would normally go. She said it really wasn't busy at that time. I didnt notice any music. The lady was really nice and has previously lost weight on MFP herself. I will be going right after work and it is not 2 minutes from my job. There is a contract and I will have to pay more if I terminate it. I forgot to ask her about curling in the squat rack. I paid alot of attention to the weight room since 5X5 stronglifts is the biggest, though not only, reason I am joining. I will not be starting till Wednesday but they are going to start me on a one week trial. Thank you everyone!!!
  • Neanbean13
    Neanbean13 Posts: 211 Member
    Think about when u can go to the gym. Ie will u be going at lunch or around 6 after work or first thing in morning. If u can go anytime great. But try and go see if u can go for a free walk through when u might go. Why? Because if it's busy as he'll every time u go u prob won't end up going. Esp if your new. Most gyms do free passes. Ask for a free 3 day pass or something. There's SO many gyms now that each are in competition. See if they doing deals like no joining fee, no lock in contract etc. Get a free sesh with a trainer. But work out your goals first. Weight loss? Strength?

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