What gym should i join

The trainers at boot camps for the most part are minimally trained. They may hold a basic certification. Boot camps are also normally higher energy than personal training or small group training so if you like that go for it. So this is where my bias comes in and I will be honest about this. I own a training gym so this is my favorite which is why I opened one and I will try to be as unbiased as I can with the description. Training gyms offer large group, small group or semi-private, one-on-one training or any combination of the three, in a smaller space than that of a membership gym.

Anywhere from sqft to over 10, sqft. These gyms often do not have access membership nor do they have much in terms of cardio equipment. Training gyms focus on the training, so like most other training based gyms like CrossFit or boot camps, you will not have a membership unless you are getting coached.

This is a blanket description and there are many variations within this category. Training gyms typically will offer some form of a trial so you can try out the gym before you commit to a longer term program. This is designed so that you can make the best decision possible when it comes to long term training; training gyms want you to be there. There is less of a hard sell mentality in training gyms because you are making a larger financial commitment and to get the best results you have to want to be there.

Training gyms will typically sell 3, 6 and 12 month memberships depending on the structure that is set up, and this will include training X amount of times per month depending on what option you choose.

The training at a training gym is different from a boot camp or CrossFit in that it is more customized to you and what you need. You can pick and choose from the options available to you at that facility. One of the big points is that small group and semi private training is the main option at these training gyms.

This is a structure where you share a workout and a coach with up to 3 other people semi private or up to 9 other people small group. These workouts are more customized the smaller you go in group size, which helps you find the level of personal attention and detail that works best for you. Here at Progressive Performance we focus on 6 people per coach per group which I think is the perfect middle ground when it comes to the right level of attention, personalization, and social interaction.

Trainers at training gyms take great pride in their education because their main focus is the training so the quality of instruction is higher than most gyms. Trainers at training gyms will continue to educate themselves on a regular basis.

This is not all training gyms but of the ones I know that would consider themselves in this category are the best in the industry. So if you are looking for personalized attention, educated trainers, community, and options to create the best program for you, a training gym is what you are looking for.

This is my review of the different types of gyms that are out there to help you reach your fitness goals. Let me know what you think or if you want to know more about what I think,feel free to email me any questions you might have. This is all in an effort to help you find the right gym for you. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hit enter to search or ESC to close. Close Search. For instance, if you love indoor cycling classes and want to get back in the saddle, you can immediately eliminate any clubs that don't have a cycling studio.

It's a simple concept, but it's important to consider early in your search for the best fitness club—it's amazing how convincing luxurious locker rooms and state-of-the-art treadmills can be. Write out a list of your absolute "must-haves" for your best gym, which are different from the "nice-to-haves," says Tanner Martty, a personal trainer with LEAF Lifestyle in Santa Monica, California. If you're seriously into strength training, a spacious and well-maintained free weight area might be high on your list.

You'd be surprised how many gyms don't have a space where you can do your own bodyweight workouts or foam rolling. Also, will you be showering and getting ready for work at the gym? Don't forget to take your pre- and post-workout routine into consideration when making your list. Don't be swayed by savvy marketing or slogans, but instead do some research online, says Mike Ganim, co-owner of Harbor Fitness in Brooklyn, New York.

If the gym you're considering has a Facebook or Instagram presence, check their feed for posts by current members to get a sense of their day-to-day activity. In addition to social media, check for reviews of your potential best gym on sites like Yelp and Google to get a feel for what current and former members like or don't about the fitness club's classes, customer service, and cleanliness.

And ClassPass is always an option if you prefer to play the field. Taking advantage of the special deals and introductory offers is a great and inexpensive way to test out various locations and options before committing to a long-term contract. To eliminate excuses for skipping your workout , choose a location based on your lifestyle, says Laura Williams, a former fitness center manager and owner of Girls Gone Sporty. Do you plan to hit the gym during your lunch break or after work?

Your best gym is one close to your office. If you'd rather work out in the mornings or on weekends, a gym close to home is better. There's no magic mile radius to aim for, Williams says, but rather a magic commuting time. Google "best gym near me" to make sure you aren't missing out on any options.

When you walk into a potential best gym, pay attention to all the details. As of press time, there are locations in 28 states. Readers who train there generally rave about it, especially the amount and range of equipment it offers, like Olympic lifting platforms and bumper plates, kettlebells up to 50 pounds, and TRX suspension trainers. The locations are typically quite large, too, averaging , square feet. The only complaint I heard was about how crowded it is at peak hours.

The local one had dumbbells up to pounds, kettlebells up to 40 pounds, a heavy bag, and even a couple of tires to flip. One I used a few years back was a complete dump—broken plumbing in the locker room, filthy carpets in the warmup area—but even there I could get a good workout, as long as I skipped the floor exercises.

Readers shared similar experiences. It might be the nicest gym in town, or an embarrassment, or anything in between. Power surveys. The newer locations, according to the readers who shared their experiences, are great places to lift. The downside? Anytime is one of the most aggressive and fastest-expanding franchisors in the fitness industry. As you might expect, the size and quality can be wildly different.

This chain, with more than clubs in 13 states, elicited the broadest range of opinions from readers. They constantly update their equipment and even added a turf area with big tires for flipping and a prowler.

The place is a dream to use. Or you might be disappointed. You just have to judge each location on its own merits. The parking lot of my local LA Fitness was packed on a cold, rainy, crappy Sunday morning a week before Christmas.

Inside, the club was bright and warm and filled with people working hard. The manager who took me on a tour was friendly and engaging. Right away, though, I felt a disconnect. He asked me where I currently work out. I lied sorry about that and mentioned the bad gym I fought to leave. I asked what he meant. He seemed confused by my confusion. But I figured out what he meant soon enough.