Joining a Gym

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I have been a gym girl for years and years. When all the gyms shutdown in 2020, I was forced to workout at home I built up my home gym and over time I got really used to working out at home. I appreciate rolling out of bed and walking to the next room over for my workout. I still workout a few days a week at home, but there is just something about a gym that I just can't get at home. Earlier this year I decided it was time to go back to the gym. It took some time, but I finally found the right gym for me right now. It can be tricky to find the best spot, but it is definitely worth it.

Staying active is vital for a myriad of reasons. It keeps you physically healthy, reducing the chances of a range of health problems. Alongside this, there’s a heavy link between exercise and your mental health. In simple terms, regular exercise will improve your mental well-being and can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. 

As such, it’s useful to remain as active as possible. One of the top ways to do this is by joining a local gym. Gyms are full of things you can use to exercise however you want, as many times a week as you want. The only caveat is that gym memberships cost money. So, you want to ensure that you join a fantastic gym. This will encourage you to go regularly, which improves your health! 

With that in mind, what should you look for when joining a local gym?

A good range of modern equipment

You need a fully-equipped gym with a wide range of modern equipment. Diversity is key as it enables you to exercise in different ways. You want a gym with a good variety of cardio equipment, plus plenty of resistance machines. At the same time, the equipment needs to be modern. Places like Fitness 19 only use the latest machines because they’re built better and can provide more efficient workouts for people. 

Bad gyms will either have a lack of equipment or really old stuff for you to use. In both cases, it’s harder for you to get effective workouts in and you just wander around aimlessly before leaving! 

Regular classes

The best gyms will host regular fitness classes for people of all ages and abilities. They may offer some of the following: 

• Cycling 

• Circuits

• Yoga

• Pilates

• Beginner’s lifting 

The list can go on and on - the longer it is, the better the gym will be. Classes are important for a couple of reasons: 

1. They help you learn new exercises and get taught how to do things with a professional trainer/instructor

2. They bring a group element to things, increasing the sense of camaraderie and adding to your motivation

If you’re new to gym settings, classes are the best way to get involved and ease yourself into things. Pick a gym that offers a great range of classes - ideally, it should include them for free as part of your membership. 

The right atmosphere

Some gyms are completely different from others in terms of atmosphere. You’ve got really noisy gyms full of massive men screaming and throwing weights around. There are CrossFit gyms where people train a specific way, and you have women-only gyms too. 

These three examples show how different the atmosphere can be, and this plays a role in how comfortable you feel. Look for a gym with the type of crowd you’d like to be in. Commercial gyms tend to be good for everyone - and if you go at the right time you’ll find a crowd that suits you the best. Alternatively, look for gyms aimed at specific people - like women-only gyms - if you’d prefer an environment that’s catered to your needs. 

Keep these three things in your head when searching for a gym to join and you will find one that’s perfect for your fitness goals. Now, you’re ready to be active and enjoy the benefits fitness brings to your life. 

*collaborative post