THank you! These suggestions are helpful. I will ask for a trial at something nearby. I think I am going to need the classes and instruction. Self direction will only lead to the sofa!

I definitely thought this was going to be a thread complaining about how people at the gym do X and should do Y, or don't understand Z even though OP has explained it a bunch of times. This is a much nicer question.

I'd start by figuring out what I wanted to do at the gym (cardio? weights? classes? trainer? combo?).

Then I'd make a list of all the gyms within the shortest possible commute from my house or office.

Then I'd visit each one and find out what they offered on my list of needs, and I'd make sure to visit during the time I would be most likely to work out to see how crowded it was.

If there was a tie between gyms, I'd break it using either (1) how nice the facility looks, or (2) price. Or both.

Proximity is a big deal if you are time constrained. For me for swim workouts it’s a huge pain in the ass because it’s 30 total time there and back. I wish it were closer but it’s the gym with a pool that is not busy, I can get a lane, and it’s not that far.

I hate working out and I don’t like the gym. So I chose the one that was closest to me so that I would actually drag myself to it without so much kicking and screaming. And I do.

What kind of workouts do you like to do? I’ve accepted that I’m not going to go to the gym on my own and work out, I need more structure and external motivation. So I joined Orangetheory and it’s perfect for me. Group classes, I’m cheap so I make sure I go often enough so that my membership is worth it, and I like the interaction with the coaches and the other participants.

Ask for a week free trial!

The one that is most convenient so that you actually go. It should be close to your house ideally or if that is not possible, on the way to work. Really, that is the most important. People and equipment don't matter, if you aren't going to actually go because the pinch point is getting there.

Anonymous wrote:I may consider the people too. Is it crowded at 10am, or whenever you want to go? Is it full of huge muscle guys who are probably on roids?

Looks can be deceiving. When my normal gym was still closed post Covid I joined a different gym for a few month. The guys in the weight area were much more serious lifters and big guys, however in the 3 months I was at that gym more people talk to be than had spoken to me in the 10 years I was at my previous gym. I went back to my old gym when it reopened because I like the physical gym better, but much referred the people/culture at the other one.

I may consider the people too. Is it crowded at 10am, or whenever you want to go? Is it full of huge muscle guys who are probably on roids?

If you like certain machines, make sure they have enough of them. I recently switched gyms and they have fewer of the machines that I use, so it's harder to get to everything. Also, do a trial at your preferred workout time and see how the other users behave. My new gym has even more people playing on their phones than my previous gym and it stresses me out because they hog the machines.

Aside from that, do they have classes at times you can actually do? Are the locker rooms nice? How close is it to your house? Is the parking free and easy?

In most cases, people are best off picking the one closest to them. This is especially true for people who don't have a habit of going to the gym.

Look at what to care about. For me that is the weigh area- lots of space, multiple racks. I look for layout and think of how I’d move through the space during a workout.

I also agree that I love a space with natural light. But Id trade light for a real big lifting area.

Anonymous wrote:Location
Cleanliness
Amenities that are important to you: indoor pool with lap lanes? Steam room? Sauna? Squat cage? Trainers? Classes?

For me, windows. I hate working out in a windowless basement.

Location
Cleanliness
Amenities that are important to you: indoor pool with lap lanes? Steam room? Sauna? Squat cage? Trainers? Classes?

How should I pick one? I am ready to join but I'm not sure what to look for other than price. Thanks for your advice.