Which gym

[newgymmy]

Why type of gym do you go to and why?

I'm trying to decide which to join and it would be great to hear what others went for.

The nearest one.

We use our local council run gyms. It has pool, sauna and steam, gyms, and fitness classes. Our closest one doesn't have a pool but it means we can leave the kids at home and only be less than 5 minute drive away if they need us. If we go when they're at school then we can go to one of the further ones and enjoy ourselves a bit more.

Do you want a gym or classes or a club? Lots of gyms where I am all different - some very social with club rooms that you can spend time in without buying any drinks or snacks and everyone chatty but alot more money although fab timetable, some £20 with no classes and one £75 a month but no social but great timetable. Parking fine at all of them.

Bannatyne because they are the only ones that guarantee single sex changing rooms and I don’t fancy a bloke showering next to my 8 year old daughter

The small one that was within walking distance. I didn't want big and impersonal and I think driving to exercise is counter intuitive. I only wanted a gym though - though the gym does offer some classes, it's fairly basic.

I went back to one I went pre kids even tho more expensive than most it was 5 mins away driving. So nearest for me and the classes they have.

The one with the most classes, my gym has classes throughout the day starting at peak time every 15 mins.

It's also a 7min bike ride from home and on the way to the train station.

It needed to be really convenient, if I got held up at work I didn't need to miss training I could go to the next class.

I use my local council one. I've tried a few and this works best for me at the moment. Good range of classes, and I can use the gym at times that suit me. It does give me the pool as well but I've not yet used it and most likely won't.

I originally joined this one because 11yo DD could join and use the gym although not classes, but management changed and she couldn't use it any more. I was rather peeved but stuck with them as the staff are brilliant, there's never issues with other users and the classes are right for me.

Nearest one which is about half a mile away but which is 24/7 as I need to workout at 5am to get it in before work. Its also nicely cheap at £25 a month including classes (if you can get on the list) but there are only shower facilities - no changing rooms, pools, saunas etc which I wouldn't use anyway!

Opening times is a big consideration.

The nearest one, which is still ten miles away. It’s small but the fees include classes and a trainer, so it suits me. I like to be pushed hard.

I think mine is a council run one, they're a chain but they work in partnership with the council,

I picked mine based on the classes and it having a pool but I liked the fact it offered alot of options to.

They do a singular membership, Regional or UK wide which is really helpful for me as I do classes between two gyms

I'm looking as well OP. I'm 53 and 3 stone heavier than I was in my youth when I was a very dedicated gym goer. This makes me more cautious. Our council run one's seem like a good deal - but I think I would be a lot happier in a female only gym. That would mean no pool though. So still thinking.

I think it is a very individual decision.

Lots of gyms will give or sell you a day pass so you can try out. Or try Hussle or Classpass and see what you like.

I think convenience is really important unless you have loads of time.

I go to the very best one I afford at the moment (£85 per month inc pool, classes, spa discounts etc) because I'm a reluctant attendee and the nice atmosphere / fluffy towels / always an available machine / classes it's easy to get a place in etc make me much more likely to go.

We have a home set up, I couldn't have been consistent if I had to use a public gym due to kids. If you have the space and funds available it is a great investment.

DH and I go to a small local place that is 'functional fitness' based ie less machines and cardio equipment more barbels, squat racks, kettlebells, dumbbells, sandbags, sled track. They run small group classes and shared PT sessions which are great for us to go to together or you can just go and use the gym on your own. I go 2-3 times a week and have been consistent for 4 years now despite the pandemic (did online sessions at home) and have seen a lot of improvements.

It's more expensive than the council places we have been to in the past but less than David Lloyd type places and it's the one we have enjoyed the most, stuck with and been consistent at.

I think that's mainly because the booking system and class schedule are easy to use and flexible, there's lots of different stuff to do from Pilates to HITT to heavy weights and we have got to know the owner, the trainers and the other gym goers so it feels very easy to go. Other places I have been I have got bored and quit eventually.

If you have the space and funds available it is a great investment

I have one but don’t use it. I prefer to train with other people. I need the competition and I like the social side.

@CovoidOfAllHumanity my current and last gym are a bit like that. Is great, and you can keep learning new things. My first gym was a really friendly high street chain gym which had some great classes and a pool, but I've found my niche now .