Once you’ve decided you’re taking up a new training routine you’ll probably want to sign up to a gym, but it’s not quite that simple seeing as there are probably about twenty gyms in your area. How do you pick the right one?

Well first of all you have to decide on your training goals; why have you decided to go the gym? Are you looking to get beefy and muscular or are you trying to get lean and ripped? Are you a serious bodybuilder or weightlifter, or do you just want to get into slightly better shape?

You also need to bare in mind your budget and how often you’re looking at going. If you’re going once a week you hardly need an all-singing all dancing health spa with pilates and an Olympic sized swimming pool. Furthermore, if you’re using it that infrequently, it’s probably not worth your while to sign up for a monthly fee – instead just pay the joining fee and pay each time you go.

If you’re going two or more times a week though you may as well sign up for a monthly deal and you might want something a bit more for your money. On the other hand, just because you can afford to have MTV and a hot receptionist that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll want one. If you are a serious bodybuilder you’ll know that all the extras can sum up to nothing more than a distraction. Sure it’ll be cleaner and prettier in a health spa, but a dingy, dark little weights room is far better at inspiring the kind of hard work and dedication that bodybuilding calls for. So: health spa for high-earning business men and women who want to stay in shape and maybe socialise and relax at the same time; old fashioned gym for serious weight lifters.

There are still things you need to look out for when selecting one of these and you can check all this out when you go to visit (someone should show you around). First of all look at how packed the gym is – if there are queues for machines this is going to stand in the way of your progress and you need to ask yourself why they’re still trying to tempt people in if their facilities are overloaded as it is? Also look out for machines that are out of order – one or two is normal – but any more than this and you’re looking at a gym with poor maintenance.

Also be aware of ‘special deals’ and hidden costs. If a gym is promising you a half price joining fee or likewise if you sign up right away then ignore it – chances are there’ll be a better deal next week and that they’ll hit you with other costs (like paying for your induction, the nerve!). These are also likely to string you into contracts and try to stop you cancelling your membership when you want to leave. Some claim you need to give them three months notice – this is nonsense and against the law so just cancel the direct debit if you’re unhappy with their services. Those that state their costs up front and honestly without trying to trick you with special deals are far more trust-worthy and better value in the long run.

Mack LeMouse

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