My current gym membership expires at the end of August (I pay up front for the year) and I have been shopping about checking out other gyms / fitness centres in the area.
Not 100% happy with the gym I’m at and looking to move, I decided to make a list of what my ideal gym should have and offer. As I have this blog I’ve decided to copy and tidy up my notes to share with anyone who is interested!
Contract duration
This is an important one, check the small print! Years ago some gym memberships required you to sign a 24 month contract. Now, I believe the law has changed and the limit is 12 months. Ideally I would rather not be tied to one at all. Gyms can go downhill fast and I wouldn’t want to be trapped if wanting to leave partway through a contract. The other thing is if money becomes tight, a gym membership can easily be ditched if I needed to save money.
Open 24 hours
This is a must for me. Many of the gyms in my area don’t open until 6.30 am on the weekdays and 8 am on the weekends! This, for me, is far too late. So this is the first must have!
Plenty of cardio machines
At the moment my current gyms range of equipment is limited and at peak times it can become a pain to find an available machine.
Equipment quality
It’s all well and good having lots of machines, but do they work? Out of order signs stuck on machines are no use to members! So good, strong gear is a must.
Air conditioning
This is critical and you don’t know how much until the current gym you are at has failed to get theirs repaired in time for the heatwave the UK is currently having! #SweatyBetty
Changing rooms and showers
Most gyms have these, but not all! Also, some 24 hour locations have an odd policy of closing showers between midnight and 5 am. Really not great if you start work early!
How clean is your gym?
Would it pass the Kim and Aggie test? With people sweating etc a clean gym for me is essential. I’ve been a member of a grubby gym before and It’s not nice!
Free parking
If like me you are a 7 day a week gym rat, free parking is a must otherwise paying to park is going to get expensive!
I think that’s it. If I come up with any other ideas I will update this post.