How to choose a gym?

[AlexaShutUp]

I want to join a gym. I've lost a fair bit of weight recently but still have a lot to lose. I'm not a regular exerciser at present, other than walking, so I'm quite unfit but have good stamina! I used to go to a gym regularly in my twenties but then stopped after changing jobs. I'm now 48 and really want to get in shape properly before I hit fifty.

I'm a bit baffled by the range of choices. I'm very self conscious and don't want to feel intimated by lots of ultrafit students (live in a university town!). I would love to do classes but lack coordination (probably dyspraxic) and would feel too embarrassed in many settings. I like the idea of yoga and relaxation type classes though. Main purpose of joining a gym is to use the actual gym and build some muscle strength. I would love to be able to swim but never learnt.

Cost isn't a massive issue as I earn enough to treat myself, but I'm quite time poor so I need to pick something that will fit in with work and other commitments. And I will lose motivation easily so it needs to be easy and motivating.

There is one place very near my house (5 mins walk). It's small, based in a hotel and is more like a spa/health club type. Lovely environment but the actual gym is quite small and the range of classes is limited. Bit pricey but not unaffordable. Nice pool, sauna, steam room etc. Opening hours are slightly limited so I would struggle to get there before work in the mornings, though I could go in my free evenings and at weekends. Clientele are likely to be middle aged professionals, rather than super fit students.

There is another one very near my work in a different city. Women only. Good reviews online but no working website so it's difficult to get a sense of exactly what's on offer. Cheaper than the first one, but probably less "luxurious". Opening hours would also make it difficult for me to go before work, though I could go after quite easily. Bit harder to access at weekends due to distance from home (10 miles) but not impossible.

Then there are others. A few really big options in my local town, say 10min drive from home. Great value for money and lots of equipment/ classes but very functional (ie not luxurious), and probably full of very young, fit student types and could be quite intimidating for someone like me. Open 24 hours so very flexible/accessible.

Then there are a few other health club/spa type options with a wide range of classes and better opening hours than the one nearest to me, but each at least 20 mins drive from home. A bit pricey in some cases but lovely environments, great facilities etc.

I don't know what to choose! I am leaning towards the nearby health club option out of convenience above all else, but I'm worried it might be a bit limited in what it offers. What would you all prioritise in my situation? The main thing is that I find something that works for me enough for me to carry on going!

I would always prioritise the gym you'll actually go to, with minimum effort. In reality, you are unlikely to go to the ones 20 mins drive away, as that's a 40 min round trip before you've even started doing any exercise - which will quickly become tiresome.

But also remember that you're not making a decision for life, and you can always change your mind.

In your shoes I would start off with the nearby health club and see when you go, and what you enjoy. If the limited classes become an issue then you could always swap to one of your other options, or use the gym for weights and do classes via Youtube at home. You'll also quickly learn when the gym is busy and when it's easier to get on the equipment you need.
And at the same time, if you get into a gym-going routine you might like it so much you want to swap to one of the further-away gyms with more facilities.

I would also think the womens only gym is your poorest option of the lot, and discount that one from the start. Poor website, a 10 mile drive and limited opening hours would be a no from me.

Similar scenario for me, and my priorities are location and facilities rather than luxury. I go to a local leisure centre with long opening hours and easy parking 10 mins from home, with a swimming pool, but no towels provided/sauna/jacuzzi/cafe etc. The gym is good with Technogym equipment (workouts can be preloaded onto your key, which then tells you which equipment to go on next, and sets up CV equipment with level/speed/duration, and totals up your calories at the end) and plenty of weights, and the clientele are really varied from teens to 80 years old. I then use the money I save to treat myself to spa days/stays as a reward.

For my sister, she knows she will only go if its a really nice place to be, with a swim and sauna at the end of each workout, and isn't so worried about having to drive further, but only goes once a week, rather than 3 times a week.

Thanks for your thoughts, that's helpful.

Oops, posted too soon! I think you're both right that location will be important, so I will probably go for the nearby health club and see how it goes. It's a good point that I don't have to make the decision for life, so perhaps I'm overthinking it!

Also probably have dyspraxia and struggle with classes however I do spin which works really well even with my lack of coordination!

I choose a gym that does a good selection of classes at different times and I much prefer a class to working in the actual gym.

You might want to consider if any of them are making you book time slots to go atm.

I’ve been going to the gym since April. I chose one within walking distance (5 min car/25 min walk) which I use as a warm up/cool down and it’s also 24/7 with no time slots so I can go whenever suits me best that day/week.

Forgot to say have you got anyone to go with? I find I stick to a routine if I have a friend I have committed to go with

I was in your shoes about 5 years ago at 41 and ended up getting a personal trainer to help me learn how to do weights, they have a private gym where it's just you and them.

That way you feel supported, safe, enabled to learn the basics of deadlifts, squats and then you'll have the confidence to go anywhere you like as you'll understand the weights areas.

Even after 5 years of being a regular gym goer and great all all kinds of complex weights I still feel a bit nervous in classes or strange gyms, but I do enjoy my sessions with the PT more than anything I've ever paid for.

All I would say is maybe take a look at that route as then you aren't alone, you have a commitment and if money is ok it's a great option.

I would also say make sure they are degree educated, not just a 6 week course PT especially with any weightlifting.

I'm not a massive fan myself but CrossFit gyms are super social and really good for getting started.

Go and have a look at them all. I prioritise one which is walking distance (so that's part of my warm up). Then I look for range of classes at all times of the day - my current beef is gyms that only offer Pilates classes during the day, as if it's only retired people who want to do Pilates.

I also like to have a sauna. Swimming pool not so important.

What I've learnt at my current gym is that good personal trainers are worth their weight in gold. Some gyms offer a couple of free sessions - if you get this deal, take it! A good PT will transform your fitness programme & way of thinking about fitness.

I don't worry about students - I'm fitter than most of my undergrads! But generally, most people in gyms are absorbed in their own effort pain to look at others - although I do watch some of the people at my gym, because they can do amazing stuff. But no-one's showy-offy about it.

But you'd be surprised at the range, even in the very commercial gyms. I used to go to a lovely friendIy private gym, but it closed when the owner died. I then looked around, and ended up at a FitnessFirst chain gym. But it is wonderful - people of all ages, from the gym bunnies doing workouts that don't muss up their make up (oh well, it gets them out of the house I s'pose) to men & women in their mid-80s who are active, to lots of younger men doing free weights, then to people like me - sweating & swearing lifting heavy weights...

Most gyms will give you a free day pass so you can try things out. Get a tour, take a studio/group fitness class, have a look at changing rooms & any sauna etc. They'll try to do the hard sell, but you can resist that! And if you do choose a gym, negotiate. THey're all pretty keen to sign up new members at the moment.

Visit the gyms. Find out about facilities, equipment, and classes offered as well. If you can, look for one that employs a personal trainer in addition too. Take a look at all of your options and then decide. Consider your own fitness needs. Also take into account your own level of fitness on top of that. I used to use a local council funded gym that was located in a leisure centre downtown. It was worth the hassle.

Try them. Either you will be even a complementary pass or you can purchase a day or even better a week.
Be aware that they will try to lock you in a membership saying that they have this crazy offer available only today and so on. When on the floor and the free weights, see you available staff is , so ask one to correct form on a movement for example.

This is my only doubt about the hotel gym, would it be staffed by PT and what do they have on floor equipment wise? and yes you can do a lot with just a set of dumbbells, but only if you have the knowledge. For beginners, having more machines can be less daunting .

I fit into the "ultra fit" member you describe and you shouldn't be intimidated . Most of us are quite friendly and we don't usually notice who is doing what and where as we are catching our breath between one session and the other.

I wouldn't go for the one 10 miles from home.

IF you ar win a big city, there will be plenty. Spend a week in each and then make up your mind.