There’s no way around it: a gym membership is an investment, and there are many factors to consider before you go all in. With so many options, it can be hard to determine which is the best one for you. Of course, price is a huge factor, but not all gyms are created equal (and sometimes, the cheapest option may not be the right one for you). After all, a gym is more than a building filled with workout machines — it’s a place for you to set aside time for yourself and get stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally.
With that in mind, let’s talk about how to pick a gym. Here are eight factors to consider when you’re looking for a gym to get the most value for your membership — and the best results.
What to Look for in a Gym
1. Equipment
Let’s start with the obvious. Your gym should be equipped to help you meet your fitness, strength, body composition, and overall health goals with the right tools, including:
- Free weights
- Power racks
- Cardio machines such as treadmills, rowers, bikes, ellipticals, and stair steppers
- Resistance and strength training equipment such as Smith machines and assisted pull-up machines
- Floor space for stretching, bodyweight workouts, and functional training
When you visit a new gym for the first time, look around to make sure the equipment is well maintained and suits your fitness goals — from improved cardiovascular endurance to building muscle and hitting new strength training PRs.
2. Convenience and location
Gym location and hours may seem like a no-brainer, but convenience is a big factor in determining your success.
Consider gyms that are near your home or office and are open during times you like to work out. If you’re the type that prefers a late-night gym getaway or you have a flexible schedule, you may want to consider 24-hour options.
With an Anytime Fitness membership, you get 24/7 access to more than 5,300 gyms across the world, so you can stick to your routine no matter where you go. (When we say “anytime,” we really mean it.)
3. Personal training
Did you know that working with a personal trainer can increase your likelihood of reaching your fitness goals by more than 30%? A personal trainer or Coach can help you set realistic goals and achieve them through personalized training, nutrition, and recovery support and programming.
At Anytime Fitness, for example, your Coach will start you off with a free fitness consultation to learn about you and your fitness goals. Plus, you’ll complete a full-body scan with the Evolt 360 Body Composition Analyzer to generate a holistic picture of your health. Using more than 40 measurements like muscle mass and body fat percentage, your Coach will work with you to optimize your personalized, data-driven training, nutrition, and recovery plan and help you reach your goals.
4. Group workouts
Not all gyms offer guided workouts or group training, but many gym goers find that working out around other people gives them an extra accountability boost and helps them train longer. If community, and the expertise of a Coach, is important to you, look for a gym that offers group workouts or fitness classes.
5. Community
Getting plugged into a community and connecting with others is essential to your overall sense of well-being — and joining a gym could be just what you need. In fact, the National Institute of Health recommends joining a gym, exercising with others, or doing fitness classes to stay connected and ward off loneliness.
How do you know you’ve found a good gym? It’ll feel like you’re joining a supportive community of like-minded people all working to feel and achieve their best.
6. Recovery equipment and services
Next up: recovery, an essential part of an effective fitness routine. Integrating rest and recovery into fitness plans plays a vital role in reaching goals by preventing and treating injury, optimizing the body’s performance, enhancing movement and mobility, and instilling a general sense of well-being.
Many gyms offer equipment to aid in muscle recovery and repair post-workout, such as percussion tools, massage chairs, red light therapy, and saunas.
Anytime Fitness includes recovery as part of your personalized plan that you can access via the App, and several locations offer services ranging from red light therapy to hydromassage to on-site physical therapy partnerships.
7. Digital tools and tracking
In the digital age, finding a gym that supports you inside and outside the training room with an app or other digital tools is a must. Tracking your workouts can keep you accountable and motivated, help you set realistic goals, and help you make faster, more sustainable progress.
The Anytime Fitness App brings training, nutrition, and recovery guidance for holistic wellness and strength straight to your fingertips. On-the-go access to your personalized workout plan keeps you consistent, so you won’t miss a beat in your training schedule. You can track how busy your gym is, add your specific fitness goals to personalize your plan, and get answers to your burning fitness questions — all in the app.
8. Holistic guidance
A good gym covers more than just equipment; it offers the tools and resources you need to become your healthiest, strongest self. From recovery tips and equipment to nutritional guidance like recipes, recommended calorie intake and meal planning, your gym should serve and improve your whole health, not just your physique. That’s where Anytime Fitness Coaches come in. They work alongside you to create a personalized training, nutrition, and recovery plan tailored to support your health goals on and off the purple turf.
A final word on how to find a gym
If you’re looking to find the perfect gym for you, consider factors like cardio and strength training equipment, personal training, workout classes, location and hours, digital tools, recovery and nutrition resources, and community. Together, these factors will help you weigh the value of a membership based on what’s important to you.
No matter which gym you choose, remember that an investment in a gym membership is an investment in your long-term health and wellness — so pick the one that helps you stay consistent and supports your whole health.
Finding a good gym: More fitness tips for you
Still wondering how to choose a gym? Find your nearest Anytime Fitness to try a free one-on-one session with a Coach and learn how Anytime Fitness can help you achieve your fitness goals.
