How to Choose a Health Club
Getting in shape is a popular New Year’s resolution. So, millions of gym memberships are originated at the start of each year. However, most gym memberships are underused. In fact, only 18% of health club members attend their gym regularly. The main reason for underuse is, yes, you guessed it: lack of motivation. But it’s also true that if you don’t like your gym, you’ll be unlikely to drop in much. So if you’re in the market for a ‘new you’, let’s take a look at some of the factors you’ll want to consider when choosing your gym or health club.
When’s It Open?
When you take your tour, there will be a whirlwind of information coming your way. So remember to determine the facility’s hours of operation. And if you’re an early bird or a night owl, you’ll want to pay close attention. But the truth is, most people’s schedules are more unpredictable than ever. And you may never know when your opportunity to pop into the gym will come. So you may want to give special consideration to clubs that are open for the greatest number of hours each day. After all, some are even open 24 hours!
Expert Staff
You’ve heard the adage: “It’s hard to find good help.” Actually, the real problem is finding enough money to pay for good help. Gyms compete furiously for your business. And with so many fixed costs that can’t be avoided, the only way they know how to cut costs is by running a skeleton crew of employees. If you’re a seasoned member, you might not mind the lack of attention this approach will get you. But if you’re new to the scene or just a bit rusty, your experience may not be a good one. If you think you could benefit from a little more attention, keep an eye out for gyms that employ a full staff of experts.
Incredibly, many gyms are filthy, where no one cleans the machines after using them, and a cleaning crew doesn’t help to keep the place sanitary. Take a good hard look when taking your tour or during your “free trial” workout, if provided. Pay extra attention to the locker rooms. And if you are in the building for 30 minutes without seeing a maintenance worker cleaning during any point of your visit, you can be pretty sure that the gym is not a spic and span environment.