What’s the most important thing to consider when choosing a gym?

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I was recently in the market for a new gym, and being that I am inherently frugal I was concerned about how much it was going to cost me. I had been working out for years at my alma mater and getting a very low alumni rate, but once I switched to working from home full-time I needed a closer option.

So I started shopping, and there were two good options that made for a tough decision. I had a number of things to consider:

Gym Option #1

• 4.7km away and an easy drive with few traffic lights. Also, if I want to cycle or run there, it is a pleasant route.
  
• Is heading in a direction that I would want to go when I need to run errands.
  
• Has an outdoor pool in the summer with full food and bar service poolside, so it could kind of feel like being on vacation for the odd day I want to indulge.
  
• I like the ergonomics of the weightlifting benches.
  
• Nice place that is well lit.
  
• Great crowd: Middle-aged and middle class, just like me. I feel comfortable here.

Gym Option #2

• 6km away and lots of traffic lights. I wouldn’t run or cycle this route unless I had a death wish.
• Is heading towards a part of the city I’d rather avoid.
• Is part of a community centre that has a massive indoor pool with nice hot tubs. However, I know that I will never use this pool.
• I hate their weightlifting benches. The ergonomics are all wrong.
• Nice place that is well lit.
• Don’t like the crowd. There are a sizeable number of hyper-muscled guys with tattoos running from knuckles to neck strutting around like they own the place. Also, there is a high school right next door and they use the place too.

Comparing those points — especially comparing the last two of each — it should seem like an easy decision. However, I sweated the decision for all of 15 minutes because there was a significant difference in price. Gym #1 costs 25-percent more, but I was willing to pay it mostly because of the people issue. If you don’t feel at home and comfortable at a gym, then you won’t go.

And the gym is my home away from home, so I like feeling welcomed and as though I fit in. And even though it cost more, I don’t regret my decision for a moment.

Visit www.bodyforwife.com or email james@bodyforwife.com.