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<\/a>Facilities<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 What do you want to do?\u00a0 If you want to play racquetball and shoot baskets, you will want to opt for a place that offers facilities for those.\u00a0 Have joint issues and want to do water walking and water aerobics?\u00a0 Check out one with a pool.\u00a0 My gym has none of the above — and I took the option without classes.\u00a0 All I wanted was a treadmill and the weight machines and this one is fine for that with the advantage of being nearby. Look at all the local options and pick the one that offers what you want.\u00a0 Some may have features you haven\u2019t considered but would enjoy, so take your time and check them out.<\/p>\nEquipment<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 Are there enough machines to go around, or is there always a line at the most popular machines?\u00a0 Are the machines clean and in good shape?<\/p>\nAtmosphere.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 Are you okay with the decor and the music?\u00a0 Some gyms are set up to attract young customers, and some of us more mature folks won\u2019t like the pictures and the music.\u00a0 Others are set up for a more conservative clientele.\u00a0 Decide how much it matters to you.\u00a0 Keep in mind that you can always wear earphones and listen to your own music.<\/p>\nCleanliness<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 Check around before you join a gym.\u00a0 Look in the locker rooms and in the bathroom. \u00a0 Are they clean?\u00a0 Lots of body fluid (sweat) is sprinkled around in a place where people work out, so cleanliness is important. There should be bottles of disinfectant and towels conveniently placed for cleaning off the machines.<\/p>\nSafety.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 Is the gym in a safe and well-lighted area?\u00a0 Many fitness centers have electronic \u201ckeys\u201d and members can show up to use the equipment at any time.\u00a0 Will you feel safe doing that, though?\u00a0 Also, be aware that thieves routinely make the rounds of fitness centers, particularly those frequented by women. They smash the windows and grab purses off the seats.\u00a0 Be sure to take your purse inside with you or lock it in your trunk.\u00a0 Most fitness centers have lockers you can use. Your stuff will be safer there.<\/p>\nCost<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 If at all possible, avoid buying a years\u2019 membership, at least until you are sure you are going to use the fitness center faithfully. \u00a0 The reason? Situations change. You may go faithfully for a while, but then have to drop out.\u00a0 With a contract, the fees go on whether\u00a0 you go to the gym or not.\u00a0 I personally chose the month-to-month payment option until I saw that I was getting my money\u2019s worth from my gym.\u00a0 Then, when they had a special deal for a year\u2019s membership, I bought it.\u00a0 Check around to make sure the gym is comparably priced to others in the area. Right now two or more national chains are having a price war seemingly devised to drive the others out of business.\u00a0 You can join for a bargain, but be aware that the price will probably shoot up again when the competition has been eliminated.<\/p>\nYou probably are not going to find a perfect gym with every one of these qualifications. Decide what is important to you.\u00a0 You may have to pass up some features in order to get the things that matter most.<\/p>\n
Remember, this is for YOU.\u00a0 Think about what you want and choose with your needs in mind.<\/p>\n
Eating to live and living for Christ,<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"You’ve decided that it will be worth your while to join a gym. \u00a0How do you determine which one is right for you? \u00a0Here are some more things to consider when making your choice. Facilities.\u00a0 What do you want to do?\u00a0 If you want to play racquetball and shoot baskets, you will want to opt…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":423,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[120,225,228,139],"class_list":["post-866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-exercise-2","tag-fitness","tag-gym","tag-weights","tag-work-out"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a>Facilities<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 What do you want to do?\u00a0 If you want to play racquetball and shoot baskets, you will want to opt for a place that offers facilities for those.\u00a0 Have joint issues and want to do water walking and water aerobics?\u00a0 Check out one with a pool.\u00a0 My gym has none of the above — and I took the option without classes.\u00a0 All I wanted was a treadmill and the weight machines and this one is fine for that with the advantage of being nearby. Look at all the local options and pick the one that offers what you want.\u00a0 Some may have features you haven\u2019t considered but would enjoy, so take your time and check them out.<\/p>\n