Skip to content

Top Navigation

Shape Shape
  • Fitness
  • Health
  • Healthy Eating
  • Fashion and Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Celebrities and News
  • About SHAPE

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Log Out
Login
Pin FB

Explore Shape

Shape Shape
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best Inner-Thigh Exercises of All Time

      The Best Inner-Thigh Exercises of All Time

      16 trainer approved thigh exercises Read More
    • Why You're Gaining Weight While Working Out and Eating Well

      Why You're Gaining Weight While Working Out and Eating Well

      Gaining weight while working out is totally normal. Here's what you need to know about that number on the scale post-sweat sesh. Read More
    • Ultimate Guide to Strength Training for Beginners

      Ultimate Guide to Strength Training for Beginners

      This total-body beginner weight lifting routine is the easiest way to ease into strength training as a newbie. Read More
  • Fitness

    Fitness

    See All Fitness
    Here's What a Perfectly Balanced Weekly Workout Schedule Looks Like

    Here's What a Perfectly Balanced Weekly Workout Schedule Looks Like

    Follow this expert-backed gym regimen to give your results a major boost.
    • Workouts
    • Cardio
    • Strength Training
    • Bodyweight Training
    • Yoga
    • Exercise Recovery
    • Exercise Tips
    • Race Training
    • Workout Trends
    • Playlists
  • Health

    Health

    See All Health
    The Best Foods for Hair Growth, According to Dietitians

    The Best Foods for Hair Growth, According to Dietitians

    While your diet is only one factor to determine how fast your hair grows, there are certain foods that experts say can speed up the process. Learn how to support your stands from the inside out.
    • Sleep
    • Sexual Health
    • Mental Health
    • Healthy IRL
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    Is It Better to Drink a Protein Shake Before or After a Workout?

    Is It Better to Drink a Protein Shake Before or After a Workout?

    Protein is essential for building bigger and stronger muscles, but the timing of your intake depends on your own nutritional needs.
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Eating
    • Vegan Diet
    • Vegetarian Diet
  • Fashion and Beauty

    Fashion and Beauty

    What Happens When You Stop Wearing a Bra?

    What Happens When You Stop Wearing a Bra?

    There's nothing quite like taking your bra off at the end of the day, but does not wearing a bra altogether cause sagging? Here's what the experts have to say.
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Workout Clothes
    • Beauty Files
    • Workout Gear
    • Shoes
    • Leggings
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle
    The Complete Guide to Zodiac Signs and Their Meanings

    The Complete Guide to Zodiac Signs and Their Meanings

    From fiery, competitive Aries to empathic, psychic Pisces, here's your complete guide to all 12 zodiac signs dates and their meanings.
    • Astrology
    • Sex and Love
    • Travel
    • Relationships & Love
  • Celebrities and News

    Celebrities and News

    See All Celebrities and News
    • Interviews
    • Celebrity News
    • Celebrity Workouts
  • About SHAPE

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Log Out
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Shape.com
  2. Fitness
  3. Workouts
  4. How to Choose the Best Gym, According to Fitness Experts

How to Choose the Best Gym, According to Fitness Experts

By Jessica Smith Updated October 01, 2019
Skip gallery slides
FB Tweet
gym
Credit: skynesher/Getty Images
With this pro advice, finding the best gym in your area will be no sweat.
Start Slideshow

1 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Gym Tip 1: Evaluate the Need

spin class
Credit: Boston Globe/Getty Images

Do you really need to join a gym? Ask yourself this question before you even start shopping around, says John Mulry, a personal trainer and owner of Expect Success Fitness. A gym membership certainly has its benefits, but if you love exercising outdoors, your office or apartment building has a fitness center, or you're just as happy working out at home (say, with these fitness YouTube channels), joining a gym—even the best gym in your city—might be a waste of money.

Still ready to sign up? Great! The next question to ask to help find the best gym: What are my reasons for joining? 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.

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Gym Tip 2: List Your "Must-Haves"

woman taking notes
Credit: izusek/Getty Images

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.

2 of 7

3 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Gym Tip 3: Browse Social Media

woman using smart phone
Credit: Tim Robberts/Getty Images

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. (Bonus: 7 Exercise Machines That Are *Actually* Worth Your Time)

3 of 7

Advertisement

4 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Gym Tip 4: Sign Up for a Trial

woman at a gym studio

Sites like Groupon and Living Social are always offering package deals on fitness, with everything from boot camps to CrossFit to kettlebells to Zumba, says Cynthia Phillips, a personal trainer at ABSolute Body Symmetry in Atlanta, Georgia. (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.

4 of 7

5 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Gym Tip 5: Location, Location, Location

woman driving
Credit: CreativeDJ/Getty Images

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. A five- to eight-minute walk or drive is ideal, keeping in mind that factors like traffic lights, roadway congestion, or even the time of day you’ll be traveling can influence your overall commute. Google "best gym near me" to make sure you aren't missing out on any options. (Related: How to Revamp Your Commute So It Doesn't Suck)

5 of 7

6 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Gym Tip 6: Dig Into the Details

Women at locker room getting ready for training
Credit: M_a_y_a/Getty Images

When you walk into a potential best gym, pay attention to all the details. Is the lighting too bright? Too dim? Music too loud? Classes too crowded? Are there too many bros for your taste? Things that may not seem important during your initial tour can become major gripes later on. The best gyms prioritize cleanliness, so look for signs of regular maintenance.

"Two telltale signs of gym cleanliness are the bathrooms and the corners," says Joe Vennare, certified fitness professional and co-founder of Hybrid Athlete. "If the bathroom is dingy and there is dirt or dust-bunnies in the corners, upkeep is an issue." Vennare also recommends checking to see if the facility provides a way to disinfect equipment after use. "Look for gym wipes or a spray bottle and towels, and see if anyone actually uses them," he says. (And be sure to steer clear of these 9 super-germy spots in the gym that might make you sick.)

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Gym Tip 7: Seal the Deal

woman working out on rowing machine
Credit: Aurora Photos/Getty Images

Once you've found your best gym membership option (and tested out a trial run—or walk or spin—there), you may be ready to commit. But before you sign on the dotted line, it pays to remember a few key things, says Jenn Walters, certified personal trainer and co-founder of Fit Bottomed Girls. For example:

1. Ask if your location offers a discounted membership if you only come during "off-peak" hours or only take group exercise classes (if that's what you plan to do).

2. Make sure you know exactly what "extras" are provided at your best gym. Do they offer towels? Shampoo and conditioner in the showers? Hairdryers in the locker room? (P.S. Can we agree that showering at the gym is the best thing ever?!)

3. Are all group exercise classes included or is there an additional cost? Some health clubs that offer Pilates or other training styles that require special equipment charge extra for those classes.

4. Do they offer discounts for members on massage therapy?

Don't be afraid to play hard to get, Walters says. "Many times clubs will call you back in a few days or weeks to offer you an even better deal than when you came in for the tour." And if you don't like the initiation fee or aren't ready to sign a year-long agreement with your best gym, you may be able to negotiate a little. "While not all clubs will budge, many will work with you, so don't be afraid to suggest a different price or a different membership than what's stated!"

Finally, when it comes to price points, the time of year you join matters too. "The best deals of the year on membership and fitness services like personal training are in January and September, so if you can wait, try to sign up then!"

7 of 7

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 7 Best Gym Tip 1: Evaluate the Need
    2 of 7 Best Gym Tip 2: List Your "Must-Haves"
    3 of 7 Best Gym Tip 3: Browse Social Media
    4 of 7 Best Gym Tip 4: Sign Up for a Trial
    5 of 7 Best Gym Tip 5: Location, Location, Location
    6 of 7 Best Gym Tip 6: Dig Into the Details
    7 of 7 Best Gym Tip 7: Seal the Deal

    Share & More

    Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Shape

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithShape is part of the Instyle Beauty Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Shape. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.shape.com

    Sign in

    View image

    How to Choose the Best Gym, According to Fitness Experts
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.