I'm a longtime member of Golds and I really like it, but I've also belonged to Bally's and Washington Sports Club and liked those too. Most of the gym chains serve a wide range of people, from a few muscleheads who stick to the weight room, to the social butterflies who take lots of classes.

I run outside 3-4 days a week, but love the gym for several reasons:
1 - because the treadmills are better than the one I have at home on days when running outside is not desirable.
2 - i like the cardio machines for the days I don't run (which are too expensive to buy for home).
3 - I lift weights 3-4 times a week and they have great machines that I find easier than free weights.
4 - I like the classes, especially yoga, and have definitely made friends through the classes I've taken over the years. (I haven't really met other people at the gym except through the classes.)

I chose Golds because it's close to my home, but at one point I had a second gym membership which was close to work. I find that if the gym isn't convenient, you won't go. Good luck! OH, and most gyms will offer you a free orientation session with a trainer, and most offer deals where you can get a few sessions for a pretty reasonable price. I once got 4 sessions for $100 and the trainer was great. I don't have time for a trainer all the time, but it was neat to learn new stuff.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. NWDC/southern MoCo. I don't need to lose weight. Relieve stress, gain muscle, get in shape would be my motivations. Socialize sounds good - do people socialize at the gym? Also, do people go to the gym year-round, or just in the extremes of winter and summer? Why do people pick a gym rather than other venues to exercise?

As you can see, I'm totally clueless!

When I lived in the Northeast, I joined a gym in the winter because I got major cabin fever! I was used to walking everywhere, but the miserable weather limited my outdoor exercise tremendously, and I just felt like I needed to move after being cooped up indoors. But yeah, as PP said, Jan 1 to Spring is probably a busier time, and if the weather is nice outside, you'll see the gyms slowly getting more empty.

I'm not familiar with NWDC/Southwest MoCo, but try looking on Yelp, then checking websites/calling to inquire about pricing. You can also stop by and get a tour. Some machines are super fancy with cable TV on every machine (bring your own headphones), but others are bare bones exercise - I just bring my iphone and listen to music. Some have luxurious spa-like locker rooms, others again are more like your high school locker room. Generally of course, price goes up as amenities go up, but there is a wide range, depending on what you like and can afford.

I might recommend signing up for a month-to-month membership at first, to see if this is something you want to keep up with. It'll be more expensive than a 6-month or year membership, but you're less tied into a contract. Some gyms also have daily passes, so you can try it out that way as well.

I'd check out Yelp and find websites of associated gyms, narrow it down to a couple, then stop by to check them out in person before signing up.

Lots of people do go to the gym year round, but there are definite "bumps" in attendance - think Jan 1, right before spring break, etc. The first week of nice weather, I generally see a drop in gym attendance as more people are running outside, I assume.
If you join a gym, they will offer you a free training/intro session, I highly recommend you take this. Also, if you really want to know what all the machines do, could you pony up for a few personal training sessions? Just let them know what you said in the OP, and they should be able to tailor something for your easily, as well as make recommendations for classes, etc.
Lots of people socialize at the gym! I think it depends if you are doing classes or working out on your own, though. Classes tend to be quite social and if you attend regularly you'll notice the same faces over and over. "Gym friends" actually convinced me to try spin class, which I now love.

For comparisons' sake, I belong to Fitness First which is about $30/month. Sport & Health used to be about $40/month, when I belonged there, and I bet it's more $$ now.

I belong to a gym bc I like the classes, and I work out at 5am

OP here. NWDC/southern MoCo. I don't need to lose weight. Relieve stress, gain muscle, get in shape would be my motivations. Socialize sounds good - do people socialize at the gym? Also, do people go to the gym year-round, or just in the extremes of winter and summer? Why do people pick a gym rather than other venues to exercise?

As you can see, I'm totally clueless!

Where do you live?

Cost will vary widely. i currently pay like $10/month for my community gym. There are big gyms, small gyms, gyms for women, gyms for everyone, and all kinds of gyms. If you give a rough area, maybe people can suggest a location?

But no matter the gym, they'll have someone there to show you around. Usually most gyms offer one free personal training session to teach you about stuff, exercises, etc.

As for "should" you join one? That depends. What about them seems interesting to you? Are you looking to lose weight? Relieve stress? Gain muscle? Socialize?

I have never been to a gym. I don't know the cost range, wouldn't know what half the machines do, I've never participated in any of the classes. Can someone tell me what I'm missing? What should I know about gyms? Should I join one? I'm in my late 30s. Haven't had a regular exercise routine since college.