Advice on Choosing a Gym

Assess your needs
How to locate a good facility
Staff Qualifications
Getting your money's worth
Special needs
Try before you buy
It comes down to you

You've decided to join a gym. But the choices are astounding — from expensive all-purpose facilities to the local YMCA to specialised facilities that offer only weights or tennis. How do you choose? Fortunately, you can tell a lot about a gym, fitness centre or health club before you even put on your workout gear or step onto a piece of exercise equipment.

Assess your needs

Before you select a facility, decide on your fitness goals.

Figure out what you need to work on — whether it's aerobic fitness, strength training, reduced stress levels or increasing your flexibility — and look for a facility that will allow you to pursue that goal.

If you want to focus on weight training, then you may not care whether a swimming pool is available. If you prefer to work out on exercise equipment, a wide assortment of exercise classes won't be as important to you.

Having your fitness level assessed by an exercise or medical professional also can help you decide what areas need work. He or she may be able to suggest specific activities that will help you, such as yoga or stretching classes to increase your flexibility. If you still aren't sure of your fitness goals, consider joining an all-purpose gym with a large variety of classes and equipment to explore your exercise options.

How to locate a good facility

Now that you know what you're looking for, the next step is finding out what's available. Your goal is to determine what local facilities offer and what people like about them. Start by:

Checking out the facilities that offer a Free Exercise Pass for a trial session on the Gymlink website
Calling local facilities to book in for a trial session using your free pass
Ask if the facility has a website and conducting some research on the Internet
Asking friends and family if they anything about the facility or anyone else who attends

Pick the top spots that interest you, and pay a visit to each one. Try to visit at least three facilities, if possible, to comparison shop. You can meet with a staff member, learn what services are available and take a tour. Remember your Gymlink Free Exercise Pass entitles you to free session. Keep the following in mind as you visit the facility:

Location. Is the facility near your home or work? Choose a facility that isn't too far out of the way of your daily activities. You'll be less likely to make the excuse, "But it's too far away."
Hours. Many fitness centres open early and close late to give early-bird or late-night exercisers some flexibility. Check with the facility will be open at the times you plan to exercise.
Environment. Is the environment clean? Check out the equipment, floors and locker room. Also consider the overall atmosphere — is this somewhere you'll enjoy spending time?
Equipment. Does the facility have the equipment you're interested in using? How much equipment is out of order? Too many "out of order" signs might be a clue to poor maintenance of the facility.
Classes. If you're interested in fitness classes, find out what kinds are offered and when. It doesn't matter how great the classes at a facility are if they're never at a time that you can make it.
Friendly staff. Do the staff say hello and smile? Do they circulate around the exercise area, offering tips and encouragement? Caring and friendly staff can go a long way toward helping you stay focused on your fitness goals.
Payment methods. What are the membership options.
Referrals. Talk with other members of the facility about their experiences.

This is your opportunity to find out if a particular facility is a good match for you, so take advantage of it by finding out as much information as you can. You can make a list of questions to ask the staff on your tour of the facility. For example, you might want to ask:

- How old is the exercise equipment?
- How often is the equipment replaced?
- What type of qualifications and continuing education is provided for or required of staff?
- What are the opening times?
- What fitness areas are most crowded? At what times?
- Are class sizes limited?
- Are any additional fees imposed, for example, for towels or the swimming pool?
- Does the facility offer amenities such as free parking or on-site child-care services?
- What types of personal consulting services are available?
- What qualifications do the staff members have?
- Is the facility equipped to handle emergencies? Are staff members trained to give first aid?
- What are the opt-out policies?
- Can you pay monthly or fortnightly?

Staff Qualifications

Check the qualifications of staff members who teach classes or instruct in the fitness areas. There are a number of reputable organisations who provide certification for fitness professionals.

Getting your money's worth

Don't assume that a state-of-the-art facility with high membership fees is necessarily better for you than a smaller, more moderately priced facility. No one club fits everyone, so it's important to know what each offers.

If membership to a facility requires that you sign a contract, review the details carefully. Make sure you understand completely your obligations, including the contract period, billing procedures, cancellation and suspension policies.

Special needs

If you have special needs, don't assume that a facility can't accommodate them. Check before committing. Find out if staff members have special training to deal with your needs. This is especially important if you want to take a class that's geared toward a specific condition, such as water exercises for people with arthritis.

Also check to see that the building can accommodate any assistive devices you may use. Are the hallways wide enough for a wheelchair to pass? Is there an elevator? Are lockers and shower facilities accessible?

Try before you buy

If you decide that you're interested in trying out a facility, download a Free Exercise Pass from the Gymlink Online Directory — there are over 5500 facilities around Australia and New Zealand. Trying out the facility before joining is the best way to see if it meets your expectations and quite often, facilities charge a nominal fee usually around $8-50 for a casual visit.

Visit at the same time of day or night that you typically would be there. For instance, machines at a gym that might be accessible at 10 a.m. may be unavailable during the busier, early-evening hours.