A gym is a gym, right? Well, yes and no. And the one you choose can positively or negatively affect your progress and results.
Multi-Purpose or Sport-Specific. It should be obvious that if you’re into a specific sport like boxing or martial arts, you should find a gym dedicated to that, especially if you’re into cross fit. But you’d be surprised how many times I’ve seen people drag a barbell, three sets of dumbbells, resistance bands, a step-box, a bench, and a Swiss ball into a power rack to do whatever 15-minute cross fit routine they just saw on YouTube. As a general rule, if you have to rearrange the gym, you’re in the wrong gym.
Chain or Local. The only reasons to join a chain gym, in my opinion, are a) you travel frequently, or b) there’s no locally-owned gym near you. This is not to say that every locally-owned gym will be perfect; but generally speaking, you’ll find a stronger sense of community and a better culture/vibe in the weight room of a local gym. It’s hard to describe, but think about it as the difference between a local mechanic and the dealership. The dealership is clean and shiny and new. The local shop has wood paneling and a coffee pot that hasn’t been cleaned since the 70’s. But no one ever recommends the dealership.
Small or “Big Box.” As I mentioned in a previous post, the only necessary equipment for a decent workout is plates and a barbell, so the size of a gym is not important as long as it has sufficient equipment.
This is not to say you can’t make good use of a chain or big box gym if that’s what you’ve got. But if you have options, here are a few gym-shopping tips:
First, Get a Pass and Use It. Don’t just take the tour and decide yes or no. All gyms are awesome when the cute trainer is showing you around. Get a pass for at least one day – preferably three days to a week – and use it. Pro Tip: If you tell the front desk you just moved to town and are shopping all the gyms, you may get the pass for free. While you’re there, pay attention to the following:
The Clientele. Are they working out or socializing? Is it a fashion show? Are they using the equipment or sitting on it while wasting time on their phones? You’re going to be around the same people at the same time every day, more or less, so judge them harshly and without shame.
The Space. If there are 200 pieces of cardio equipment, but you have to search for the dumbbells, that’s not a gym that prioritizes fitness and reaching goals. That’s a gym that prioritizes memberships. But if you notice after a few visits that the weight area is sufficiently equipped and always empty, maybe you found your jam.
The Arrangement. It’s not uncommon for a gym to arrange the dumbbells linearly on one long rack of two rows. The top row is the 10’s to the 45’s (or thereabouts), and the bottom row is the 50’s up into the 100’s. This arrangement has two problems. First, the 45’s and the 125’s are in the same location. People using one are probably not using the other, so if the benches at that spot are occupied, you have to lug your weights somewhere else. Second, the 45’s and 50’s (for example) are at opposite ends of the rack. If you’re using weights within a certain range, you’re either relocating between sets or, again, hauling the weights around. Also note how much space there is between fixed benches and power racks. Can you fit between them to change plates while they’re all in use? These might sound nit-picky, but a gym’s layout not only makes a difference in the workout but also indicates whether management knows (or cares) how to organize a room.
The Staff/Trainers. Not everyone who works at a gym is going to look like a professional athlete or fitness model, so don’t expect that. But they should be knowledgeable. If all of the floor employees are high school students, take note. Some of the “trainers” at big-box, chain gyms may not be certified in anything other than the gym’s group fitness classes, and at least one national chain that shall remain nameless (Planet Fitness) does not employ personal trainers or even allow personal training in their locations. So, if you’re in the market for training, make sure you understand what is or isn’t available before signing up.
Thanks for reading,
Dan
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