Nowadays, fitness has become a staple in society. Almost everyone works out at a gym or at least tries to do something involving fitness but picking a gym isn’t as simple as you might seem; a lot should be considered before you sign on the dotted line. Picking a gym is an investment you are making and should always be taken seriously as you are paying for a service and expect your investment to pay off. There are a few key points I suggest you consider in your current gym or if you are in the market for a new one.

1. Does the gym cater to your demographic?

If you go gym shopping and end up at some YMCA where the nearest age difference between you and their current members is 40 plus years, try another gym. You want to go somewhere that is inspiring for your current age bracket and experience. Some gyms don’t necessarily cater to all demographics so make sure you ask plenty of questions about the current members and services they provide so you know exactly what you are paying for.

2. The right number of free weights and machines.

Most people will automatically ask a membership sales person or even a trainer like me, “do you have any ab machines?” This bothers me because most gyms just get one or two of each machine to say they have it without knowing how the gym structure truly has developed nowadays to make most machines unnecessary items that just take up space. Today’s fitness has evolved so much that barbells and free weights are the standards with the occasional decent number of machines. Fitness isn’t so much about bodybuilding anymore since the dynamic has changed into exploring all other facets of human movement i.e. strength, conditioning, flexibility, mobility, and so on. Having a chest press machine is great but if that is all the gym can offer you in terms of upper body chest exercises, walk out the door.

3. Great trainers.

I get it; you won’t know who is good and who is bad if you aren’t already signed up and aren’t up to date on how to exercise. However, gyms should speak to all demographics and usually, most gyms have pictures of their trainers with each’s education and certification. Having degrees and certifications from accredited organizations help and if you can see a trainer in action on your walkthrough or trial pass; ask yourself if that person would be able to help you. Asking friends and around town might also get you a sense of what you want and if that fitness center can help you achieve your goals or has the right staff to get you there.

4. Do you feel like you are appreciated?

Gyms are a business; 100% of the time obviously, but for me, the member experienced always came first before business. If your members aren’t happy, then you have no real business to prosper. Now, don’t take appreciated for granted and think I just said you can be a jerk to the staff; treat the staff with respect, but does the gym go out of its way to make your experience memorable each time you visit their facility? If you can’t say yes or there isn’t a specific reason to why you go there each day, change gyms and find one that makes you feel at home.

5. Is money the issue?

Money doesn’t grow on trees; classic cliché line but nonetheless true and most people will tell you cost of the gym is why they go there. Sure, the gym might be 20 dollars a month but you get what you pay for and if 20 a month is the going rate, you probably are paying for a crappy, overcrowded, broken down brand-name gym that looks at you as a sale rather than a person. Some gyms are costly but that extra dollar or 40 helps provide a greater quality of service to you and the best experience; just a suggestion if you can afford to spend a little more each month.

6. The right atmosphere.

Some gyms can be mundane with the same old stuff each day. No one is inspiring; no one is lively, it seems like the atmosphere is boring and will never change. Your gym should inspire you, should make you proud, and potentially even grow some great friendships. If the staff is unfriendly or the members rude, find another gym that will light that fire back in you. This is your experience and your money, why should you be unhappy with your service? Would you accept poor quality performance from your cable company or electrician? Probably not, so make sure you get what you paid for and the atmosphere is uplifting and always positive.

Picking a gym shouldn’t be as simple as the closest one to your house. You should pick a gym that fits all the characteristics you look for in a fitness gym that will match up to your beliefs and even make them better. It may take some time to find but for me, the price of happiness outweighs the price of convenience. Your gym should bring you enjoyment, a place to relax and unwind for a few short hours a week; find one that fits your needs and qualities rather than cheap and close; because remember, you get what you pay for with cheap gyms.

If after you are reading this, you expect me to hand feed you the right gym or give suggestions, I can’t because everyone is different. Most gyms give out free trial guest passes for first timers so you can always do that. The best advice I can give you is to keep your eyes open, ask friends on their own experiences, and don’t fall for lame advertising.

Hey, maybe your gym could even be a Crossfit box? Crazy right? Maybe not as crazy as you’d think. If you want to know my thoughts on Crossfit, stay tuned.