What do you look for in a gym?
 

I dunno, i'll prolly update my journal with more details on the "why" but for now, i'm focused on the "what"

so far I've found
http://www.seattlefitness.com/index.html

to be my 1st choice to look in to, doesn't seem like a huge franchise, not too far from where I live or work, looks affordable.

Guy i was talking to last night was like 6'6 and ripped, I was like "oh man that could be me" so I just straight up asked him what the hell he was doing.

he just told me to start working out twice a week at a gym and the rest would follow.

baby steps.


see, thats the thing, having actually seen someone my size now and a better body type, I kinda was like "well crap, I'm off today, lets get something productive done"

I'm just worried I'm going to come across like a total idiot when I walk in.

Ask if they have a personal trainer who can walk you through the gym and show you how the equipment is used. Any good gym will be willing to do this for any new member, free of charge. Additional visits with the trainer typically cost money, though.

Pick up a copy of Men's Health. I've found the advice, articles, and tips in Women's Health to be helpful, and they often share stuff with MH. It will give you some things to look for/do at the gym, and give you ideas for your workout.

As for looking like an idiot--chances are that you're the only one who thinks so. At the gym I used to go to, people are too focused on the TV in front of them while they exercise to even really notice other people. Or else they're like me, with the iPod on and wrapped up in that. It's not really anything to worry about.

Just put on your headphones and go for it.

Really, all that is needed is the motivation to improve yourself.

My "gym" was unlimited combinations of roads that added up to the various mileage I needed along the way, a chin/pull-up bar in the rafters of the garage, a mat to do sit-ups and push-ups on, and a pair of 25 pound dumbbells. Given this "gym" didn't cost me much, I must say that I'm impressed with the return. That is to say, 30 pounds lighter and quite a bit more ripped, I'm very happy. I can only imagine how much better I'll be once I start the academy's PT program for the next 3 months when the motivation level will go waaaaay up.

Whatever you do, don't worry about how you look. Just do it for yourself. You'll have the last word in the end.....

My number one concern is distance from my house. If it's more than 15 minutes or so, I'll never go out of apathy / not wanting to deal with traffic / spend gas money. The closer the better.

Beyond that, gyms seem the same to me.. cardio, machines, freeweights. I like 24 hour fitness because I've got a really cheap deal (grandfathered in) and theres about a million of them around the city and country.

If you have medical insurance through your employer, check to see if your coverage includes either paid gym memberships or reimbursement for membership fees.

My medical plan gives me a choice of no-cost annual memberships at 24 Hour Fitness and several regional franchises. A great perk, but for some reason, not everyone who's covered under these plans is aware of it.

I look for weight machines that are fully adjustable (I'm pretty darn small; I'd assume you'd need them to be adjustable since you are taller than average), multiple sets of free weights, good mirrors to observe form, a variety of cardio machines (I don't just use treadmills and ellipticals for hours), and CLEANING SUPPLIES. The old gym at OSU was kind of grody, but the new one has cleaning spray and towels at EVERY machine.

I worked with a personal trainer for a while, so I can tell you what I liked about her methods as well, but just gym-wise, that's what I'd look for. Make sure to ask when things are busy and ask HOW busy it gets.. just being crowded and having the option of using less-popular machines or having lines/sign up sheets for everything. If you can only go right after work, this might make a big difference in how much you actually get done when you go to exercise.

1) look for a place that is not too busy cos u dont want to waiting for machines.

2) lets be honest here...the number of women is also a considering factor. the higher the ratio of women, the more motivation you will have.

3) you will feel paranoid and out of place in the first week or two. but once you have your face recognised, you start to blend in.

4) make sure u have someone show you proper excercises so that
a) you dont hurt yourself
&
b) so you dont look like an idiot

http://www.yelp.com/biz/seattle-fitn...ttle%20fitness

seems like good reviews :p

theres some pictures on their site and on yelp.


just wondering, since it's been a long time, is there anything to keep in mind when choosing atire?
i'm assuming just a t=shirt and some shorts or something will do the job.

:p

I'm going to look like an idiot regardless, hahah.

Just be careful about taking advice from someone who is ripped. It could very well be correct, or it could be way off.

Some people will be lean and ripped despite bad form, bad diet, etc. They just have the genetics on their side.

Check out the forums on bodybuilding.com. It would take eons to read all the threads on there.


Good luck.

Location and price are the two major things while you're searching. Once you get it down to a few choices, visit and notice if they have the equipment you want, and if there's any wait to use equipment. Go after work on Monday - that's usually the busiest time. Life's too short to have to wait for a treadmill.

As for my pet peeve, you might want to check the general hygiene of the people there, too - as in, how many people actually carry and use a towel. The gym I go to is notoriously lax in this - I'd say half the people there don't even carry a towel, and half of those who do never use them - I walk around the place with a spray bottle of chlorinated water and wipe down every piece of equipment before I use it. It's bad enough that people are so rude as to think it's alright to leave a sweaty machine for the next user, but with the flu - and even MERSA now - it's a legitimate health concern, AFAIC.

For me, it's proximity. I work out on at lunch time so it has to be near my office (within 5 minutes or so). If it is not convenient, I won't go regularly enough. The gym I used to work out at is across the street from my office - alas, they were taken over by GoodLife who are gobbling up every independant gym they come across and they wanted to more than double the rates I was paying! So, I downgraded a little and started going to the smaller gym in the building I work in for 1/3 the cost. So far, so good!

From home
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3...board01tf7.jpg

From work
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3...board02yi2.jpg

One fairly consistent thing about people is that they love to teach others what they know. Don't go up to the guy who looks like he's on his was to the World's Strongest Man competition, but find someone who looks like they're in pretty good shape, tell them you're new and haven't really worked out in a gym before, and ask if they could give you some pointers. Just don't be the creep who goes around flexing and asking women to spot for him on free weights and you'll be fine.

The biggest thing you need to do is cardio. You don't look like you need to lose weight, but if your heart is in good shape it paves the way for the rest of you to get in shape.
Ugh. The school gym here requires you to wipe down machines after each use, and has paper towel dispensers and bottles of non-toxic/hypoallergenic sanitizing spray everywhere. They have a clause in the contract stating that they can cancel your membership if you don't clean machines immediately after use.

Chicks. Lots and lots of chicks.

ok so that's 2 votes for chicks.

I'm against the idea (joking or not I just wanna say why)

Basically, I think women probably would like to be able to go to the gym without being hit on by some out of shape awkward guy like me.
Also I'm awkward around women for the most part I think so, trying to work out around too many of them would just weird me out.
doubly also, while I'm still single and all, I just don't care to increase my exposure to the female population at the moment.

I guess an example of "why" would fit here
http://www.taptapproductions.com/booze/index.html

that was just my last friday for example.

(some pictures of me on page 6 hiding in the crowd, if you feel like playing wheres waldo, or shauk)

Multiple Locations
Cleanliness
Price
Equipment
Free Classes

Location is first.
The other thing I look for is how crowded the floor is with machines. I like some personal space while working out.
The thrird thing is knowing when the place is less crowded. (Granted, having a flexible schedule makes that easier for me than the 9-5 types.)
The only women I don't like seeing a lot of in the gym are the Spandex Queens. They are generally there more to show off than work out. Same thing with the Steroidathals. Nothing more demotivational then being subjected to the mating ritual between the two.

Both good points, although probably echoed somewhat from previous posts. you definitely want to stay away from gyms that have high douchebag ratios. If there are a lot of guys who look like they are 'roided up, then it's probably because they are. Those guys suck and are generally to be avoided. Another person suggested going at 5pm on a monday, which is a good idea, that should be peak time, and will give you an idea if it's for you. As much as a convenient location is important, so is cost, at least for some. Paying for all kinds of stuff you don't use is annoying, so if you're not likely to play racquetball or swim, or do pilates, but you'll have to pay for it, try somewhere else. Look for a nie variety of cardio machines. People get bored just walking on a treadmill, so having ellipticals, arc trainers, bikes, stairclimbers etc is important for variety. It's good if the gym has two of each machine so there is little waiting, but this is not a big deal if the gym is not too populated (of course if it isn't, then you wonder why...).

DIdn't you watch that Seinfeld ep with Teri Hatcher where he meets her at the gym?

"They're real, and they're spectacular."

1) Location, location, location: If your gym is too far, you can use that as an excuse not to go there. I'm switching gyms in the next few weeks because of just this.
2) Free weights AND machines, covering any and every exercise possible: you want to have options.
3) Cleanliness: check the showers, check the lockers, and then check the equipment. If any of them seem unclean, move on.
4) Test the staff: Read a few issues of Men's Health and then ask the staff questions answered in Men's Health. If they get them right, it's a good sign. If not, remember their answers and bring them to TFP.
5) Cost: Don't spend over $70 a month unless you get a real, certified personal trainer with said cost.
6) Look for healthy looking people: If you walk in and are surrounded by healthy people, this is a good sign.

My gym has a sign (in about 14 point font size) at the exit door stating "All members must carry a towel at all times." They also have a sanitizer/paper towel station that has probably never needed refilling in the year I've been there.

I've mentioned the problem at least three times to every staff member there, and always get the same smile and, "We'll get right on that, sir." response. Truth is, the staff there prefers socializing more than actually doing their jobs. I like to play a game with them on my way out, offering them a dollar for every member with a towel in the gym, if they give me five dollars for ever member without one. So far I've never had one take me up on it - so they know the problem exists.

But hey - it's halfway between work and home, and only $19/month, so I decided to cover my own ass by carrying a chlorinated water bottle, and save my resources for more important battles that are sure to come my way in life.

Oh - and I always wear long pants - never shorts, to cut down on the area of my body exposed to bacteria, viruses, and general cooties.


Hmmmmm . . is it just me, or am I starting to sound like Howard Hughes?

Hi Howard (just kidding yournamehere)! Maybe you need to create a gym in your home?

In truth, I've been to a several gyms in CA. TX and Ohio and it does seem like they ALL need to be kept cleaner. The best & cleanest gyms, weren't called gyms but spas and work out/health facilities and always had a towel service - which did make them much more expensive. I find that the ones I liked best I couldn't afford! Any more I'd rather stay away from gyms and do the work outs at home or walk in a park or do yard work. But that's me. I realize you're in Az. and it's getting HOT there now.

As a reminder, wash your hands before working out and shower from head to toe after. It's not just for sweat.

Half naked chicks on treadmills.

this got me wondering as to which gyms pornstars go to or do they have special gyms for pornstars?

I would imagine they usually work out in their homes.

Was there a story 2-4 years ago about someone in LA in a gym getting some disease? Anyone elaborate on this? I forgot.

But you sound too paranoid, no offense. I wear shorts all the time and I havent washed my gym shorts in 6 months.

I only wash it when the smell starts getting to me.

The most important thing to me is the equipment, and the availability of said equipment. Availability is more about knowing when it's not busy though, usually mornings are best if you can't go in the middle of the day.

I'd say the second most important thing is the type of people there. If I have a question I want to be able to ask someone, but I also don't want to be hit on all the time.

And third, cleanliness, which has already been covered.

This is why I stay out of gyms for a week after each tattoo session. It's actually a bad practice but it keeps me from getting staff infections. Gives me some extra cardio time anyways.

If they don't have towels, or a sanitizing solution with paper towels (or both) then I wouldn't go there. Most of the time, it's not a big deal to me if someone's used a piece of equipment before me without cleaning it but I don't appreciate being soaked in someone else's sweat (when not in bed).

Firstly equipment and how well it's maintained ,secondly location ,and then contract options,personally I hate any type of long term lock-ins.

so I feel like I found a good place on my 1st try judging by the criteria outlined here

basically, free week of membership, month to month, fairly small enrollment fee (75$) 39$ a month.

equipment was clean, they're open until 10pm, I get off at 8pm, it's half a mile from work.
Theres a stack of fresh and clean towels to use, there were about 5 girls and one guy there, they all looked to be in better shape than me, obviously. ;p

They had about 6 - 8 of each machine. tons of weights, lots of T.V's and you get a free class or whatever I suppose but seems like they take place when i'm not available.

Guy said it's typically busiest right after 5pm as everyone gets off thier day jobs, so I may check in to how it looks at 9-10am or so.

I think i'll go back tomorrow with some clothes more suited to breaking a sweat and have at it.

That sounds like a good option to me. Good luck! :thumbsup:

As far as looking like an idiot goes, I wouldn't suggest just walking in there and picking up stuff unless you have some experience. Either pick up a book and read or get a personal trainer to help you learn the exercises and work out a plan. You don't have to work with a personal trainer all the time but I find it's helpful to meet with one at least once to make sure you're doing things right.

Int that case, I imagine you think of everyone as too paranoid, so - no offense taken :)

In full disclosure, I wear long pants because I have on-again, off-again dermatitis that seems to concentrate on my shins, calves, and ankles, so it increases my risk of infection when it acts up.

[QUOTE=match000]Was there a story 2-4 years ago about someone in LA in a gym getting some disease? Anyone elaborate on this? I forgot.

But you sound too paranoid, no offense. I wear shorts all the time and I havent washed my gym shorts in 6 months.

I only wash it when the smell starts getting to me.[/QUOTE

6 MONTHS!?! EeeeeW!!?! Bet there are several people who make sure that they don't work out near to you. :mad:

Fat people.

Seriously.

While I'm of average build, it irritates me to no end to have a gym full of nothing but meat heads. Its encouraging to find a gym where the average person can show up and not feel out of place. Seeing several "larger" people at a gym is also an indicator to me that the staff and atmosphere are very friendly and encouraging, giving a reason to come back.

[QUOTE=hunnychile]Its a boon. I always have an ample radius of empty machines around me, and never does someone interject to ask if they can work in.


In all seriousness, tho, my grad school's gym SUCKS. No free towel service; you have to pay for a locker or some such bullshiat before you can get a towel.

My undergrad gym pwned. There was always at least 2 cartfuls (probably like 200-400 towels worth) on hand at all times.