How to Choose a Gym That's Right for You

Like so many other Americans you've made the resolution to join a gym, lose weight and get in shape. But as statistics demonstrate for all the people who make the resolution, very few follow through and even fewer actually succeed. One of the biggest hurdles to successfully achieving those goals is joining the right gym. These simple tips will give you a big push in the right direction.

1. Ask around. First hand personal accounts can guide you where you want to go. Ask what people who work out at a particular gym like/do not like about that facility. Bear in mind that they may have different goals so ask as many questions as you can think of pertaining to your specific goals. In other words if you aren't interested in body-building but would like to lose weight and become fitter an old-school, hard-core gym might not be right for you. Conversely if you want to get bigger, stronger and ripped to shreds a gym like that might be right up your alley. Regardless of what your goals are be inquisitive. The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask. It is also helpful to write down and keep a running list of questions. Bring this with you when you actually go on premise to check out all the gyms in your area.

2. Do research online. The internet can be extremely helpful giving you information about facilities that you never knew existed due to their location and/or lack of advertising. A smaller, privately owned facility doesn't have the ability to compete with the chain giants in the fitness industry but that doesn't mean that one of them isn't right for you.

3. Check out each facility out personally. If a gym won't offer you a free 2 week pass (10 day minimum) then I wouldn't even consider joining. The fact is that if the gym is one that suits your needs then you will join if the price is right. If the gym doesn't provide the kind of activity that interests you then you won't join regardless of price. This is common sense. But you won't know until you try. Go at different hours and days of the week, preferably at the times when you will most likely be going to see how crowded the gym gets and if it is a convenient commute.

4. Do not join any gym the first time you walk in. If the salesperson is giving you a high pressure pitch then politely tell them you are in "shopping mode; that you are not there to buy." It is also helpful to compare prices/facilities within the same chain if you are considering joining a larger chain. Believe it or not their amenities and membership prices will vary even though they have the same name. Many are independently owned and can set their own prices, not to mention that sales people are there to sell.

5. Be sure to ask about membership policies and get them in specific writing. One of the worst ways that some gyms take advantage of their members is to make it impossible for them to cancel their membership. People move, employment situations change or you just might decide this gym isn't right for you after you sign on the dotted line. Ask the policy specifics and make sure it is clear. If there is even the hint of grey area surrounding membership cancellation, how you will be charged, how much you will be charged and the gym's policy regarding membership freeze just walk away.

6. Don't automatically eliminate smaller, specialized gyms. There are gyms now that utilize the principles of crossfit, boot-camp style workouts, sports-specific training, rock-climbing, to name a few. "The one size fits all" approach may not be the best for someone who is totally clueless about how to get started.

Whether you are a novice looking to lose weight and get into shape or you are a seasoned gym rat looking to set new goals once gym boredom has set in, the 6 simple tips listed above will help you reach those goals. These tips will also save you time and money in the long run. Failing to lose weight, get in better shape and reaching new fitness goals is frustrating enough, but putting a big dent in your pocketbook while you are failing just compounds the misery. Following these 6 simple tips on how to choose a gym that's right for you will definitely help put you on the path to success.