December is here, and as another year winds down, motivation for most is at its lowest point. A combination of colder temperatures, fatigue from participating in school activities, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and the desire to take part in the family tradition of great food for the holidays can simply drain what little health motivation we had left to finish up the year.
On the positive side, many regard the New Year as a fresh start, a chance to get back into a routine and work toward the body you’ve always wanted. Part of that plan may include choosing a place to workout. But how do you decide? Should I pay more for the upscale gym with every fitness machine known to man? Or should I opt for the smaller fitness studio? Maybe I should consider a private trainer…
Choosing the right facility and training atmosphere can be daunting for many people. I’ll try to simplify the decision so you can get past the very first hurdle toward your new fitness goals.
The most important thing to remember in choosing a fitness facility or workout area is that is must be some place that will facilitate you going there in the first place. Consider the following when making your decision:
- Proximity to your home or convenience on your route – Unless you’re extremely motivated, it’s unlikely that you’ll travel too far out of your way to workout. Most people start the New Year with loads of motivation, but that same motivation wanes as the year goes on…typically after the first few weeks of the year. Choose a place that you won’t mind going to, even after your motivation decreases.
- Price – In today’s economy, this is an important consideration for most. My opinion is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a quality workout. Consider smaller fitness studios, group training, or boot camps. Each of these can be a viable option to the “Globo-Gym” down the street that cares more about its bottom line than about providing a safe, effective place to exercise.
- Available support (trainers, helpful & friendly staff) – What type of feel do you get from the staff and management when you walk in? Courtesy, friendliness, and customer service go a long way in ultimately determining how comfortable you are (and how long you’ll want to continue frequenting the gym). Also ask about trainer qualifications and years of experience. Talk to friends or co-workers who have used the facility you’re thinking of joining. If you don’t understand the qualifications of the staff or trainers, email me and I’ll be happy to help you understand.
- Available equipment – If your goal is to simply to start a program or get back into a routine, the specific type of equipment available may be less of a concern to you. Even so, it’s important to consider what your goals are and how they may change. Does the facility offer a pool? How many treadmills are there? Is there enough equipment on the floor to allow you to continue your workout if one or two of the machines are taken? Choose a place with enough variety to keep you interested for the long term.
- Busy/peak workout times – I prefer to workout early in the morning because of the reduced crowds and the sense of accomplishment for the day. Determine when you’ll be able to go to the gym and whether or not that is a busy time for the facility. If you don’t mind crowds, it may not be an issue for you. But if you are frustrated easily, your workouts could cause more stress than being a stress-reliever. None of us need another excuse not to workout.
- Cleanliness and upkeep of the facility – First impressions say a lot. Pay particular attention to the cleanliness of the gym and the appearance of the staff. Each of these says a lot about how the business is run, the care taken in providing a service to you, and ultimately, how you’ll be treated as a patron.
Choosing a place to workout doesn’t have to be stressful. Remember, you’re not signing your life away. Take advantage of trial periods or complimentary workouts to see if you like the facility. After getting the location taken care of, motivation will be the next step…happy hunting!
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