You want to start going to a gym but don’t know which one to opt for. Among the growing number of gyms in your vicinity, all of which boast of the best equipments, facilities and services that promise the entire world, which one do you zero-in on?
So, the question is how to sift the grain from the chaff? How to make out the genuine from the bogus? Are those gyms that are promoted by Bollywood icons, size zero models and even popular fitness trainers considered best? Does expensive mean quality? Well, the answer is not simple and if you are a tough nut to crack, make sure you get value for your money.
So, what are the things to watch out for, when investing a whopping amount into a gym that will not just make promises, but also deliver?
Here you go....
Convenience and timings: First thing first, look for a gym that is closest to where you stay. You don’t want to end up spending half the amount and most of your energy travelling to the gym and back right? Also, be sure to check the working hours of the Gym. Some gyms are 24 hour Gyms which can be helpful for those who have a hectic work schedule.
A little walk: A hop, skip and jump away, your gym must be within walking distance, from your place of residence. Walking up to the gym, would provide the initial warm up that your body needs, and walking back home after a workout, would again help in the circulation of blood and in keeping your body temperature right. Hence, a five to ten minute walking distance is good.
The First feel: The vibes that you get when you first step inside a gym, is your instinct call. You are either awed or repelled. One cannot point to any single thing that decides, it is a complete, holistic feel. Most often than not, trust your instincts! But don’t stop there, go ahead and check for the different things. Make sure to check a gym when it is functional, that is, when people are working out. This will give you a fair idea of what it is like inside. A walk through, to take a look at the maintenance and cleanliness of the gym is a must.
Diet and exercise: A good gym will look at you in a holistic manner, so it should have an exercise plan and a diet plan interwoven. This means that , depending on your weight loss goals, for instance, if you are looking at body toning or if you want to lose the execss fat from your abdomen area, you will have a customised diet specially given by the in-house dietician present in the gym. This will be done, taking into account the type of workout that you do. This facility will be given as a diet-cum-exercise package at the gym. You can select the best package that suits your needs.
The number of months: A number of gyms in India offer a wide variety of membership options. Which one should you opt for? There is a one-month membership plan, a three-month one, a twelve month one and on and on. And what’s more? With the 12 month membership, you get a whopping discount too! Now, listen up, if you are a first timer to a gym, it is advisable to opt for the one-month membership initially, as you need to see if you like it, if you can regularly go or if you are lazy and end up bunking sessions, and if your body is responding well.
Personal Trainer: Then comes the pertinent question which makes or mars your experience in a gym and which decides how much your body benefits – the right trainer. A trainer is someone who will guide you through the workouts that are meant for your body type, after taking a brief information about your health issues and lifestyle. He/ she will tell you things like exactly how many minutes of cardio you require and what should be the speed of the treadmill, how often you must lift weights and what kg, et al. Hence, check if you would get a personalized attention or if you will have a trainer who will look after 10 others including you. Personal Trainers come at a cost. Since they are an essential part for a beginner, the cost of a personal trainer should be seen as a package. A Personal trainer should be taken on a monthly option. You can stop his services, once you get a hang of the routine.
Equipments: A gym should be a mix of Cardio, Weight Training, Resistance Training, Yoga, Spinning. The gym you opt for must be very well equipped with the latest equipments and paraphernalia. Also, a look at some of the equipments will give you a fair idea of their quality and if they are too old or moderately new. Too many equipments do not make the gym happening, it depends, as to how many of those are actually usable.
Additional facilities: Most gyms boast of giving you that something extra that differentiates them from the rest. Inquire what your gym can offer you. Often these facilities include, a sauna bath, Jacuzzi, steam bath, body massage, et al.
Showers and changing rooms: The gym that you are paying for, must have basic amenities in place. These include a separate shower facility for males and females, and at least two showers in each section. Changing rooms must be spacious and roomy.
Add-on points: If your gym offers you an in-house cafeteria, wherein they stock health foods and low-fat foods, then you just got lucky! Not many gyms have this provision as of now, however, increasingly, a few of them are coming up with this idea.
Cost and expenses: Now that you have taken an overall feel of the gym, it is time to know the amount you will have to shell out of your pocket for the basic package and for all the paraphernalia associated with it. Don’t just look at what fits your budget, as cheaper is not always better. Look at the features and then see which one fits closest to your budget. Let cost not be the sole deciding factor when it comes to your health and fitness.
Friends: Talking to various people using the gym, should be great to understand the value the gym is giving.
Now that you know what kinda gym you should opt for, be regular, don’t miss on the sessions and make sure your investment is total paisa vasool!
