How to find a gym, the guest workout

We’ve been talking about finding the right gym this week. If you’ve read the first two parts, you should have a list of two or three final candidates in mind right now. Today, we’re going to go and work out at each of these gyms.

Getting In

First, don’t be afraid to ask for a free workout pass. Gyms want customers, that’s you, and they know that people want to try things out before they join. Most gyms will give you a pass for a free workout or two. If they don’t, you might want to see if any of your friends are members at this gym, since members can usually get others in for free. Make sure to let the gym know that you’re interested in joining rather than simply looking for a free workout. Explain to them that you really like this gym and are serious about becoming a member, but you want to try it before you buy it. Don’t be as ass! Be polite and nice. If they still won’t let you try it then scratch that one off your list.

Ok, so you’re in, what do you look for? Last time we talked about a brief tour of the gym, this time we’re going to go in depth. We’re basically looking for the same things we did during the brief visit, but this time we’re looking for more information.

Cleanliness - You’re trying to get healthy here, not find a new place to pick up infections and viruses. Remember, you’re looking for more than a surface impression here, you’re going for in depth info, so don’t be afraid to look behind the machine, or under the treadmill. Look for the following:

• Try out those weights, are they covered in mold?
• Get on that treadmill, are there sweat stains all over it?
• Lie down on that bench press, does it smell?
• Go to the locker rooms, do they look like they’ve been cleaned recently?
• Is there mold on the floor near the pool or sauna?

Maintenance - A well maintained gym is a safe gym. A badly maintained gym is one where you’re going to get hurt. So try out those machines and pay attention to how well maintained they are. Things to look for are:

• Weight machines that don’t move smoothly. As you exercise, weights should rise and fall smoothly, not in starts and fits.
• Treadmills and stair climbers that move smoothly. As you run on a treadmill it should not be starting and stopping. That kind of behavior will cause you to fall.
• Bike and ellipticals that are steady and sturdy. Does that stationary bike seat shake when you peddle? Are there loud thunks each time you swing your foot on the elliptical? Those are signs of badly maintained machines.
• Frayed cables on weight machines. That’s a major warning sign right there.
• Water fountains that work well - Hydration is very important as your work out and bad water fountains will cause you to drink less. Make sure they work well.

Other gym goers - Pay close attention to the people around you. What kind of people are working out at this gym? Is it a bunch of body builders looking to bulk up? Is it single moms working out after dropping kids at school? College students? You want a gym where you can feel comfortable, not uneasy. Things to look for:

• Gender - Is the gym leaning heavily to one side or another? This could be a problem. Women might have a hard time working out when 90% of the gym is staring at them while guys sometimes feel uneasy if the women next to them are benching more than they are. Sounds shallow but it’s true, and the better you feel at the gym the more likely you’ll go. Oh, and for those of you who think of the gym as a dating scene, I think you’re reading the wrong blog By the way, you don’t need a gym that’s just your gender, but a good balance is nice.
• Type of workout - Is everyone pumping iron instead of doing cardio? That’s great if you intend to lift weights but not so good if you want to improve your run speed. If your gym is focused on only one activity like boxing, it’s probably not a good place for you if you want variety. Again, you don’t need everyone around you to do the same things you are, but make sure the gym is well balanced.
• Attitude - When I first joined a gym I was scared to death of asking others for help. I was embarrassed of how out of shape I was and somehow scared that they would make fun of me. It turns out that this kind of thinking is pretty ridiculous. In the last three+ years of going to the gym, I have never had a bad experience with a fellow gym goer, but you may still want to check out the general mood of your local gym. This is easy to do, just ask for help and see what happens. Ask someone to spot you while you lift weights. Ask the person next to you for advice on which machine to use to workout a particular muscle. You should also do this with the gym’s staff to see how friendly and helpful they are.
• Crowding - Try to get a balanced workout across all the gym’s facilities. See if you have to wait in line for anything. Cardio machines are notorious for this and are almost always busy during gym peak times. So walk around and try stuff and see how easy it will be for you to get the workout you want when you want it. Remember, convenience is key.

Variety - We talked about this yesterday. A gym should offer you plenty of options. So take your time and check them all out. Play some basketball, swim a lap, run on a treadmill, bike, lift weights. The more things you try, the more information you’ll have about the gym. Make sure to look at the following:

• What kind of classes do they offer? If possible, step into a class and see if you like it and/or the trainer. Are there a lot of classes on their schedule?
• Take a look at the gym’s racquetball and basketball courts. Do they sponsor some kind of league you might be able to join?
• Do they have a pool and if so, do they offer any pool related classes?

Make sure to write down as much of this information as you can. It’s going to be the deciding factor when you’re choosing your gym. However, there’s one more step here, and that’s price! That’s right, gyms cost money and we’re going to talk about that tomorrow.

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