With summer in full swing, you may feel pressed for time to achieve your ideal beach body. The best way to slim down and tone your body in time for your next vacation is to get serious about your diet and exercise plan.

Planting some easy to grow vegetables and hitting the gym may be vital parts of your plan to ensure that you eat healthily and burn off those calories.

When joining a gym, make sure you take your time to choose the right one because no two gyms are the same. Choosing the wrong gym may frustrate you or demotivate you to work out.

Do you want to know more about how to choose the right gym? Keep reading for our inside tips and tricks.

Find One with a Convenient Location

One of the most important things to remember when joining a gym for the first time is that location is vital. While driving to the gym doesn’t seem that hard, it’s what prevents many people from going. They lack the motivation to get up from the couch and drive there.

For this reason, you’ll want to stick to a gym that’s no more than 10 or 15 minutes away. Depending on when you plan to exercise, you may consider finding a gym close to work. This way, you can go straight there after work, so you won’t have to worry about finding the motivation to leave the house.

Make Sure Their Hours Match Your Schedule

While many gyms are 24/7, don’t assume that this is true for all gyms. Make sure you check their hours before signing that contract. The last thing you’ll want is to be tied down to a year-long membership just to find that the gym isn’t open on your prime workout day.

This is especially important for those who plan on going to the gym early in the morning or late at night. Anyone looking at small, family-owned gyms or gyms in rural areas may also want to be extra sure to check the hours of operation.

Ensure They Have the Right Machines

This is super important if you have a particular fitness routine in mind. Most gyms have a nice array of machines that will allow you to get a comprehensive workout. But if you know for sure that you want to utilize a certain machine, you should ask if they have it.

Sometimes it’s not enough that they have the machines you need, you’ll also want to make sure they have enough. Sure, if your plan is to hit the gym at 4 a.m., you might not be competing for machines. But if you plan on visiting during normal hours, you should check to make sure there are enough machines to go around.

See if They Offer Anything Extra

There are so many gyms to choose from that many have incorporated extra services to keep up with the competition. These gym amenities can include child care, tanning services, showers, and special fitness classes. Some even offer body massages, which have several health benefits.

When joining a gym for the first time you may not think you need any of these amenities, but it’s always nice to have them available. Fitness classes, in particular, can be a great option for those new to exercising or for those who need a little push to work their hardest.

Usually, these extra amenities are included in a premium membership, not the basic. If you don’t think you want them, go for the basic – you can always upgrade your membership if you change your mind.

Research the Average Costs in Your Area

You may experience a little sticker shock when you see how expensive joining a gym can be.

Many gyms charge a monthly fee, which may not seem so bad. But multiply this by 12 and add on the startup fee, and you could be looking at spending $800 a year on your membership! Oh, and let’s not forget the cancellation fee if you change your mind.

Before you settle on a gym, do some research. Ask around and see what the average costs are in your area.

You may opt to pay a little more for a gym that’s in a convenient location, has the better quality equipment, or offers extra amenities. But doing your own research will help you feel more confident that you’re getting a fair price.

Check for Cleanliness

Think about how gross you feel after you exercise. Now think about the hundreds of people who are getting all sweaty at the gym. When you tour a gym, check to see how clean it is.

Is there litter on the floor? Are there enough sanitary stations that are fully stocked? Are people wiping down the equipment after they use it?

If not, choose another gym. Who wants to spend $800 a year to get someone else’s sweat all of your favorite workout outfit?

Look at the Atmosphere

Before leaving your gym tour, make sure to look at the overall atmosphere. If you’re planning to spend a decent amount of time here, any small thing about the gym background may start to annoy you.

Make sure the lighting isn’t so harsh that it hurts your eyes and the music is at a reasonable level. It’s a good idea to visit the gym around the time you plan on exercising. This way you can see how crowded it is and what kind of people visit the gym at that time.

If anything bothers you now, it’ll just be magnified when you’re exercising.

The Best Tips on Joining a Gym

You may think that joining a gym is the easiest part about starting your exercise regime. However, the quality and cost of your local gyms can vary.

If you’re planning on spending a lot of time working out, you’ll want to make sure you find a gym that matches your needs. This means looking for a clean gym with a convenient location, good machines, and a compatible atmosphere.

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