Ready to leave your current gym in the dust or start your fitness journey? Use this guide to help set your priorities straight, so you can try to find the right gym for you.
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Whether you’re looking to get into fitness or make a switch from your current gym, a gym that fits most or all of your needs is out there.
We created this guide to help you organize your priorities and find it.
Monthly or annual fees might be the biggest limiting factor for choosing a gym.
Considering how much you’re willing to pay is a good starting point, so you don’t find a gym that you like but discover that it’s out of your budget.
Conversely, you may find a gym that you really like and decide that you’re willing to dish out a little more money because it checks every box.
Editor Emery Wright uses this exact mentality.
“I love being able to choose a different type of movement based on how my body feels. Plus, I can go use gym equipment for a self-guided workout whenever I want. My membership is a bit pricey, but it’s an investment that I’m motivated to make the most of. The way I think about it, the more often I go, the lower my cost per gym session.”
Similarly, editor Chloe Szilagyi says, “I joined my current gym in June. It’s a bit pricier than other gyms locally, but I like that it has a wide range of classes at times that suit me.”
Looking for a gym with a track or swimming pool might narrow your search results, but it’s good to know right away if having facilities such as these is a requirement for you.
Likewise, maybe you want a wide variety of weightlifting machines. Viewing pictures or videos of local gyms online can help you visualize if their equipment meets your needs.
For senior marketing editor Veronica Zambon, “My must-haves are a good selection of cardio and weight machines. I’m not confident enough to use free weights, and my joints thank me if I use a treadmill instead of the road when running.
“I’ve left other gyms before because the membership was expensive and didn’t give me much — for example, one gym asked for the same price per month as my current one, but didn’t give me access to all classes.
“Another reason I’ve left a gym before is that they only had communal open showers. I don’t feel comfortable being naked in front of strangers, and was faced with either having to walk or catch public transport home in sweaty gym gear, or wearing something like a swimsuit underneath my clothes.”
This ties into how much you’re willing to pay. Say you want access to a sauna, group classes, or one-on-one time with a fitness instructor. Some gyms might offer all three, but at a higher cost.
Szilagyi says a gym floor is much less of a necessity than instructor-led and group classes, and the extra features, like a sauna, make it feel like she’s getting more bang for her buck.
If you mainly want fitness coaching or classes, you might benefit from a gym or studio that exclusively offers those. This way, you might receive more personalized and informed instruction.
Commerce editor Catherine Conelly greatly appreciates this aspect of her yoga studio.
“I want to feel like the teachers and trainers know what they are doing, not just trying to check a box. I’ve found one yoga studio I absolutely loved and consistently went to because the owner really knew her stuff. It wasn’t just any other, move-through-each-pose-quickly kind of class. She took the time to break down poses into small steps and explained what was happening in your body and muscles.”
Many gyms also offer tiered membership options, with the lowest tier giving access to the basics and the highest tier providing more exclusive access to special classes or equipment.
Some gyms offer 24-hour access, which can make it easier to fit in a workout at a time that best aligns with your schedule.
But locations that offer group fitness classes might follow a schedule. Depending on your day to day, you may be able to attend some of them.
The local studio that newsletter editor Morgan Mandriota attends offers classes at multiple times (and has several other benefits).
“I joined my local studio because it’s 5 minutes away from home, fits within my budget, and (most importantly) meets my needs. The instructors are super knowledgeable, give very clear directions, and offer helpful modifications, and there are plenty of schedule options to choose from. The class size is small and intimate, so I’m not overwhelmed by a large group of people. Everyone there is always really kind, too. It’s on the pricier side of how much I can spend per month, but it’s worth the money because it checks off so many boxes.”
Szilagyi says she’s “left gyms when class schedules didn’t work out for me, or when an introductory membership deal ended and the regular price didn’t seem worth it.”
Going to a gym that doesn’t require a long commute might encourage you to work out more consistently.
Medical editor Susan Mcbratney says, “I joined my gym because it’s within walking distance and it’s inexpensive. I bought some personal training sessions in the beginning. They focus on strength training and how to lift weights safely. This builds your confidence. Now I attend a couple of weekly classes for strength training.”
But not everyone lives across the street or within reasonable walking or driving distance of their gym.
Maybe there’s a gym near your work or where you run errands, so you can stop on your way home or before or after making a few errands.
Stacking a visit to the gym with another task can make it seem like less of a “wasted trip,” which may help you stick with the habit in the long term.
More tips for selecting a gym
- Try a free trial: Contact the gyms you’re interested in about offering a free trial or, if they don’t offer one, ask for a tour of the grounds.
- Read the contract: Most gyms, especially chain gyms, require you to sign a contract upon joining. To avoid surprise fees or terms, make sure to read the contract thoroughly before signing.
- Check out reviews: If the gym has a history of bad reviews, you might want to approach it with caution. But also be wary of online reviews, as people are more likely to leave reviews of negative experiences.
- Watch for sign-up promos: Many gyms offer “first month free” promotions or something similar that might lock you into a membership. If you do sign up during a promo, make sure you understand the terms.
- Ask about accommodations: If you have a disability or health condition that might make it difficult to use standard equipment, consider speaking with a gym representative to see what accessible equipment they offer.
No matter where you are in your fitness journey, finding a gym or studio that fits most or all of your wants is possible.
Before you find the right one, it might help to narrow down your priorities, such as price, distance from your home, and special equipment or features.
You can start with an Internet search or by contacting gyms in your area. Friends and family who live nearby might also be able to provide some recommendations.