What do you look for in a gym

[Phoenyx]

Ive decided to get off my ass and join a gym near work.
It has everything I want. Free weights, machines, steam room,sauna, pool.


what is the most important thing you guys look for when looking for a gym.

 

[WriterDom]

Pay by the month. No contract.

 

[lilminx]

For me, a gym that opens at 5 am or is open 24 hours a day is good for me. I like to go to the gym before work, and that means getting there at 5. It also needs to have free weights, Nautilus, and cardio machines.

I also love the cross-training machines, but most gyms I know of don't have them

Of course, I haven't gotten off my butt in a few months and have let my gym membership run out (no mean comments, please).

 

[oakleyx4]

gym

Location, cost and if there are any nice looking girls who workout there.

 

[ToddHwrd]

Ive decided to get off my ass and join a gym near work.
It has everything I want. Free weights, machines, steam room,sauna, pool.


what is the most important thing you guys look for when looking for a gym.

A hard bodied female to work out next to............lol

I am just teasing, I want free weights and a good broad spectrum of machines to work out on. And a good clean shower area pls, and yes the steam room, sauna and pool are good assets

 

[freakygirl]

They just built a new YMCA here.. it's awesome.. 2 pools (one olympic size.. the other has a lazy river ride, a wave machine and a mini hot tub for little kids).. water slide.. saunas.. hot tubs.. weights.. basketball courts..expresso bar.. (very important factor there *L*).. I pay $40 a month for a family membership.. Now if I could just go without kids.. maybe I'd have to time to use some of it..

 

[kiwiwolf]

My gym is ideal Open 24 hrs a day Monday to friday, a huge range of machines so there is basically no waiting. A seperate free weights room, and plenty of cardio gear. Also it isn't one of these trendy places where your workout clothing is worth as much as your car, and people go there to workout not to socialise, so you pretty much get left alone to get on with your routine.

 

[GuyJD]

HERE'S WHAT I LOOK FOR.........

1) Location: It should either be closer to home or closer to my job. Fortunately, I work out at one close to home.

2) Hours: If you prefer to train in the morning, you don't want to join a gym that opens at 10 AM. If you're only able to train after your 3 PM to 11 PM job, then you'll want to join a gym that is opened 24 hours.

3) Atmosphere: This is actually the most important. If the gym is boring and lifeless, you won't be there too often. If the music that they play seem right and the personnel is friendly (not like people who are there just to collect a paycheck), then you'll want to make it your home away from home.

4) Price: What are you getting for the price that you're paying? I've been a member of the Big 3 gyms (Gold, World, and Powerhouse) and find that the best one was Gold's Gym. For $25/month, I was not only a member but they offered bodyfat analysis tests.

5) What are you looking for in a gym? : Do you want to train with weights, attend aerobic classes, etc.? I once toured a "gentleman's gym". For $1500/year, this place had a restaurant, cigar/reading room, massage room, even a place to have your shoes shined while you trained. Now that was a home away from home. But a home that I didn't care for.

PM or email me if you would like some advice on training, sports supplementation, etc.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Free weights that'll accomodate both my level of fitness and the Stud's. There aren't many that have that much weight in dumbells. I want hammersmith machines as well. I'm short and the length of my arms and legs makes Nautilis impossible to use. Some things like presses require machines so that if I seize the weights don't drop on top of me.

I also look for a treadmill or an elliptical trainer that will accomodate my disability. As in it's easy to get off without jumping onto someone and lay on the floor when a seizure hits. There must also be someone who can see what's happening on these machines, just in case. I generally train with a partner, so there should be an availibility of machines that please her.

I don't want a bunch of muscleheads cruising to pick me up either. Yeah, my boobs bounce when I run, but that doesn't mean you should stare at them gape mouthed in front of the treadmill either. I don't really care all that much if guys look at me when I'm working out, after all I look at them as well, but at least do it with a modicum of respect. And please, if you strike up a conversation, don't try to push it when I say, "Thanks for the offer, but I'm married." I don't mind being friendly at the gym, but no is no.

I also look for drugs. I want absolutely no truck with a place that has steroid freaks in the locker room shooting up. Roid rages are just as nasty as discussions about male masectomies.

 

[Dillinger]

Hours are important. Cost can be important (and vary greatly) - btw, some companies as part of their extended health awareness offer partial refund on gym costs - you should check with your company - usually its offered for taking a fitness class but if joining the gym is pre-requisite for taking the class then part of that cost can be covered as well. Most gyms will gladly write you a letter certifying that's the case (even if its not).

A variety of equipment - both aerobic and weights (machines and free weights). You do not want to get in a rut by doing the same things over and over - and different machines and excercises will work your muscles from different angles and help you that much more.

Also - make sure you check out the gym at the various times of the day that you're likely to go. You don't want a place so crowded that you can't use your favorite machines, or the free weights - because there are too many people there.

Another consideration is - especially when getting started - is some gyms offer upfront a session or two with a personal trainer - that can be helpful as well.

 

[GuyJD]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT, DILL

Also - make sure you check out the gym at the various times of the day that you're likely to go. You don't want a place so crowded that you can't use your favorite machines, or the free weights - because there are too many people there.

I've learned that most gyms are crowded after the 5 PM hours because that's when many folks get off of work. Back in 1988, I was a member of a Gold's Gym that I helped build. Every evening when we would try to use the Life Cycles, there would be a waiting list for us to sign. That's how crowded it would be.

 

[Siren]

 

[Spanktress]

All of the above...

Plus, employees, owners, etc that know what you & they are doing! Have a nosey around & look for qualifications, training certificates & first aid certificates, that I feel should be on display (they are at my gym).
Look at the equipment , does it look like it has regular maintenance?

*~* Spanks *~*

 

[kiwiwolf]

Re: Re: What do you look for in a gym

An Oxygen tank.




I am when it comes to my 100 + laps getting interrupted by some male smuck needing to swim 3 laps fast and then stay in the fucking way...........


I feel better now..........

Jesus... 100 lengths. 3 widths would kill me at my present level of fitness

 

[Phoenyx]

My company has a deal with the gym and I get a corparate dscount, (another reason I love my place of work) After hours it looks pretty quiet, and nice and clean. Its in a corporate area so it's clean and has everything. and the price is great.

 

[Gnufi Poppets]

It is that I am the always looking for the hot sex babes just like the Destroyer of Breakfast Pastries who are the checking out of the big Gnufi Cock in the tight gym shorts I am the wearing to show off all the muscles that I am the always having! That is what is being the most important of the things to be looking for in the gym that it is the being you are the wanting to join.

 

[Siren]

Well I am a SIREN afterall

 

[kiwiwolf]

Re: Well I am a SIREN afterall

I think I was a fish in another life.

For some reason, I can swim and swim and not get tired.......

cant explain it.

I just look at a serious swimmer and need to take a serious siesta... LOL... I do OK in a gym though. At the moment I have the body of a god... Buddah.

Am working on it though... every night for an hour and a half then 30 minutes on the eliptical trainer at home in the mornings.

 

[Phoenyx]

Re: Well I am a SIREN afterall

I think I was a fish in another life.

For some reason, I can swim and swim and not get tired.......

cant explain it.

Same Here.

 

[Siren]

Hahaha Kiwi, I think we have a sig line for ya now

 

[Phoenyx]

Re: Hahaha Kiwi, I think we have a sig line for ya now

and Phoenix, make up your mind,.......
are you a bird
or
a fish??

First thats Pheonyx. E first and a Y not an I.

I said fish in a past life.

 

[kiwiwolf]

Re: Hahaha Kiwi, I think we have a sig line for ya now

At the moment I have the body of a god... Buddah.



_______________

LMAO... no way. I prefer Sir Cumference, the Round Knight of the Square Table.

 

[GuyJD]

It is that I am the always looking for the hot sex babes just like the Destroyer of Breakfast Pastries who are the checking out of the big Gnufi Cock in the tight gym shorts I am the wearing to show off all the muscles that I am the always having! That is what is being the most important of the things to be looking for in the gym that it is the being you are the wanting to join.

Awww well, I see someone goes to the gym for the only equipment that makes him feel pumped...............
THE MIRRORS.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Pay by the month. No contract.

and child care facilities. and enough free weights so that the girls can actually use them too.

 

[Lost Cause]

I've been working out in gyms since the middle 70's. I've worked out at the old Gold's gym in Venice, as well as various CA gyms. I choose a gym by walking into the free weight area. I close my eyes and listen to the background noises. The clang of the weights, what people are saying, and what kind of music is playing. If it doesn't fit what I want to hear, I leave. So far, I've been on target every time.
**Good luck and good lifts!**

P.S. A good site to check out is Draper.com.