Gyms often have long contract terms. Therefore, before signing up, you should first find the right gym that suits your needs. We show you what to look for when choosing a gym.
In Germany, there is a large selection of fitness studios: from large fitness chains such as McFit or Clever fit to small private studios. Each studio offers different courses, equipment and customer service. Before you sign up bindingly, you should answer the following questions for yourself:
Is the studio conveniently located?
The distance between the gym and your home is of great importance. Probably the majority of people would not visit even the perfect gym if it is hard to reach.
So when choosing a gym, you should consider how much time it will take to travel to the gym. It helps to be aware of when you actually want to go to the gym. Fitness affine people who want to exercise before or after work should optimally look for a gym that is on their way. If you want to be more spontaneous, you should choose a gym that is close to your home.
The connection should also be taken into account: Is the studio easy to reach by bus, train, bike or car? Is the commute very arduous or the buses unreliable? Does local transportation run regularly in the evenings, mornings, and weekends?
The own pig dog should not be underestimated with these questions, because the more excuses we find, in order not to go to the training, the more rarely we go there.
What the studio offers?
Many studios offer a wide range of fitness classes. Before you commit to a studio, they should clarify for themselves what you value: Do you want to attend a special course or do you prefer training with weights? Some women feel more comfortable working out among women – so a women’s gym may be right for them. If stretching is especially important to you, you should make sure that the studio offers enough space and suitable equipment and bands. Especially for beginners who like to work out with weights, a personal trainer can be useful to check posture. Some gyms also offer a swimming pool or sauna. Perhaps the prospect of a sauna session can motivate you to exercise?
What are the opening hours?
When choosing a studio, the opening hours should also be taken into account. It helps to know your own training habits. If you like to work out in the morning, make sure the gym opens early. You should also pay attention to whether the opening hours vary on weekends and holidays.
Generally most Gyms offer a trial training. It’s best to schedule your trial workout around your typical workout time. You can find out how easy it is to reach the gym at that time and how crowded the gym is. You also get an impression of the other gym-goers and the atmosphere – after all, you want to spend a lot of time here.
Is the studio appealing?
The studio should appeal to you visually and from the atmosphere. Who likes to go to the training if the rooms and the people depress you?? You should feel the desire to come back directly during the trial training.
The cleanliness of the gym also plays a role: equipment, locker rooms, showers and toilets should be intact and clean.
Is there good supervision?
A good gym will have someone on hand to explain the equipment to you. Proper execution is essential for a healthy workout. The fitness goals should be defined with a trainer and adjusted to your own body. The fitness plan you create should be adjusted regularly so that all muscle parts are challenged.
Even after the initial introduction, there should always be someone to talk to with questions about exercises and equipment.
How long is the contract period?
In most studios the monthly fee is based on the minimum contract period. As a rule, this means that you pay less the longer the contract period lasts. Beginners, in particular, quickly lose their initial motivation and are still obligated to continue paying, even though they no longer visit the studio at all. In such cases, it makes sense to first sign a contract that you can cancel monthly or semi-annually. Once you have trained effectively for this time, you can sign a contract with a longer contract period.
Convince the trial?
Trial training is the optimal way to get an impression of the gym. In doing so, you can get a sense of the offerings, space, employees and other customers. You can also ask how often the workout schedule will be revised and what classes will be held. It is especially important that you feel comfortable and have a desire to work out there.
You can also read about other customers’ experiences on the Internet, such as experiences with cancellations, classes and trainers.