Move Your Body

If you are thinking of joining a gym, there are a number of things you should consider before you decide to sign your name on the dotted line. You can do some research online before you go in just to get a feel for the place. You can also check out reviews of gyms in your area on Yelp. Once you’ve narrowed down the list of potentials, you’ll likely want to go in for a tour and check the place out. During the tour, you’ll get information on membership fees and be able to check out the facility and locker room. You may have to call in advance to schedule your tour or sometimes you can just walk in. Here are some things to consider before committing to a gym:

1. What kind of gym do you need?

Be honest with yourself here. I once went on a tour of a gym that I almost (ALMOST) fell in love with before I slapped myself out of it. The membership advisor pointed out the “modern, comfortable floors” and “soothing lighting” throughout the place. The locker room was spectacular and everyone in the place looked like they stepped off the cover of a muscle magazine. The membership fee was outrageous – but I thought it might be something I could afford just because the place was SO GREAT. Then I came back to real life and realized that I don’t really care about “modern, comfortable floors” and “soothing lighting” when it comes to a gym (perhaps a condo, but not a gym). For me, I just need a place I can run on a treadmill for a while and lift a few free weights. Level with yourself and don’t be distracted by a membership advisor’s pitch.

2. Convenience

I usually work out after work, so it’s important to me that it doesn’t take a long time to get to the gym. I chose a gym within walking distance so I know that I can always get there quickly and don’t need to take any more time out of my night commuting. Is this important to you? If you live some place there is not a lot of traffic, perhaps you can afford to venture out a little farther.

3. Initiation fees

Does the club have an initiation fee? An initiation fee is usually a one time payment that you pay up front when you first commit to a gym. See if there are any specials you can take advantage of. For example, when I toured my current gym for the first time, I was offered 50% off of the initiation fee if I signed up on the spot. I was pretty sure I was going to join even before I went in anyway, so I was able to sign up and save myself $50. This isn’t for everyone though – usually these specials are a way to get you to sign up quickly. Don’t be afraid to go home and think things over. Sometimes you can work something out with the membership advisor – tell them you need some time to run some numbers, and see if they’ll still extend the offer if you call back later that evening to sign up, for example.

4. Membership fees and discounts

Gyms usually require that you pay a fee each month to keep up your membership. Sometimes you can pay an annual fee up front (usually hundreds of dollars), but many times this will be less than what you will spend in a year if you pay month-to-month. If you are able to afford this, it’s usually a better bet financially. But most people go the route of paying the smaller fee each month. Find out this amount right away when touring the gym before joining. This will likely be one of the most important, if not THE most important factor of whether or not you’ll join.

It’s worth a shot to try negotiating. In this current economy gyms are doing what they can to keep and secure members. You never know.

Lastly, ask the advisor if there are any discounts given to employees of certain companies or to certain professions. Sometimes the gym partners with companies to give their employees discounts. Some gyms even give discounts to freelancers, which can take a significant amount off your monthly bill.

5. Commitment

Usually a gym will require that you sign your name on the dotted line and commit to a year’s worth of membership. Other gyms will not require a long-term contract and will allow you to sign up month-to-month. This will be an important consideration if you see a move in your future, or you’ll be changing jobs or commute, etc. Are you a commitment-phobe? Maybe month-to-month is better for you.

6. Hours

Do you like to work out very early on the weekdays or very late at night? Do you like to head to the gym on Sundays? If you live in a big city you should have no problems with this, but be sure to ask anyway.

7. Membership Privileges

Basically you need to find out what you are paying for! Does your membership include instructor-led fitness classes? Does the gym have a steam room or sauna included with membership? Does it have a pool that you can use or will you need to pay extra? Does the gym provide towels? Be sure to ask.

8. Locker fees

Be careful here – these can sneak up on you! You may assume that you can use the lockers for free, but this may not always be the case. Sometimes you can bring your own lock to use the locker while you’re in the gym. This is sometimes a free service, as it is with my gym, provided I remove the lock every night and take all of my things home. If you’d like your very own locker so you can leave things overnight, you’ll likely have to pay an additional annual fee.

9. Equipment

What kinds of equipment do you use most often? Make sure the gym has it and that there is enough to support peak times. If you use a lot of free weights, make sure that you are comfortable with the selection. Check out the equipment to see if it’s clean during your tour and whether or not it seems updated. When I toured LPAC, the membership advisor told me about some cool new bikes they had just gotten in that make it seem like you are playing a video game while biking. Of course this didn’t sell me on membership, but it did speak to the fact that the gym was getting new, updated equipment consistently.

10. Peak times

If you like to work out after work, it might be wise to inquire about the gym’s peak times. The busiest times at my gym are Monday and Tuesday from 5-8. If I decide to work out then, I will likely have to wait for any type of cardio equipment. If you hate waiting, make sure to ask about the peak times so you are not surprised. That way you can tailor your work-outs and go when there are less people in the building.

11. Classes and more importantly, schedule

Check out what classes your potential gym offers and make sure the times they are offered coincide with your schedule. It’s no good if the gym offers a million yoga classes if you can’t participate because you’re at work. Do you like yoga, spin, swimming or “Zumba?” Do you want to try something new? Be sure to ask what they offer and whether or not attendance is included with membership.

Good luck and be sure to leave any questions or success stories in the comments!