Which gym?

[Retailfairy]

I want to get fit in 2022, I live in a big city so plenty of options but how do I chose the right gym?

I opted for a Pure Gym simply because it was easy to get to (I don't drive). I know they can probably vary, but this one is fantastic for the price. They have Personal Trainers and I see mine twice a week who has been invaluable for knowledge, expertise and advice.

They have an app so you can see how busy it is before you go, I like going when it's quiet. The staff are all friendly and you get a greeting when you enter, the PTs at mine just seem to love what they do and want to encourage members.

There's lots of cardio equipment but only one of certain resistance equipment (eg hip abduction, leg press) but lots of cable machines, free weights and squat racks.

What do you want to do? Cardio equipment? Racquet sports? Swim? Classes? If classes, check that there are plenty of the ones you like at times that suit you.

Do you have children and would a creche, kids clubor kids pool be useful?

When you look around - is it clean? Do the staff look happy? What's the customer base like? Any out of order equipment?

What are the membership terms, such as notice period?

The most convenient - so you actually go.

For me, it was having classes I liked at convenient times and a nice pool. It really depends what you want.
moderate and nearby trumps amazing and a long way.

Just go to the nearest one or the one that you drive past / walk past incidentally.

For example if you have to walk past the gym on the way back from the school run, you're more likely to go.

Do you have to limit to one? My workplace (uni in Australia) and most other big organisations in Australia have a fitness passport, it means you just pay the weekly membership and go to almost anywhere to use gym and pool. We go to three different places each week depending what sort of training we want to do. Plus the passport is cheaper than membership of a single gym because work subside it, partner and kids use it too.

I agree with the comment about the most convenient. I think it also depends what you want from the gym - if you want cheap n cheerful and know what you're doing using the equipment etc then I'd look at somewhere like Pure Gym but I find them a bit soulless myself and the one I've used was full of bicep curling "youths" so you could never get in the weights area and I don't think I ever saw a member of staff.
If you're interested in classes then check the timetable and similarly if there's a swimming pool check how it's used and how big it is if you want to do some proper swimming (some are stupidly small in private clubs).
Also opening hours and how they fit around your lifestyle.
T&Cs are also worth checking in case you don't like it or circumstances might change - some tie you into a 12 month contract but then have a 2 month notice period so that's basically a 14 month contract and some allow you to pause your membership for a number of months per year e.g. if working away, recovering from injury / surgery / pregnancy etc.

Consider what you want out of the gym. Research online, call or email local gyms and make brief summary notes. Find out about the range of classes and so on as well.

The one nearest to you, or the one which fits best into your daily routine - usually the nearest to your home, or on the way from work/home.

Geographical convenience. Then opening hours - you need the gym to where & when you need it easily.

I joined a big commercial chain - FitnessFirst - after moving towns. In my previous place, I'd joined a small private gym, so I was a bit sceptical of FF as a commercial chain, but it's brilliant! I think it depends on the specific gym & how it's run, though (I've noticed differences when the manager changes ...). So go & see a few, once you've worked out the geographical convenience.

Ask about: opening hours; facilities; and group classes - my local council gym is even closer than the FF one, but the classes book up really quickly and the facilities are just grubby.

Gyms have taken a hit over the pandemic so there should be some good deals - make a few visits & see what you can negotiate.

One of the most important factors is distance. If you are not really into your exercise then you will be more likely to use a gym that is close compared to one that is nicer but further away. The hardest part is leaving the house in the first place.

Try a few to see which is the best fit for you, do you know anyone who can take you as a guest at local ones?

We went for a home set up. If you have the space and enough money for the initial setup cost it is a good investment. Ours has more than paid for itself in saved membership fees and travel costs, open all hours (so long as not too loud at unsociable hours) and can work it around kids. I hated public gyms but love our home one and been a dedicated lifter for over 4 years now. Most I know like the social aspect too much to give up public gyms though, I like training solo (well apart from the kids observing).

It depends what you want.

I'm a member at David Lloyd now, and have been for some time. It has the best timetable and options for me. Prior to this, I was a member at a local council gym. That was fine until I changed jobs and the timetable no longer suited my schedule.

I wouldn't have joined David Lloyd without knowing I would attend a gym regularly as I had to sign up for 12 months.