Maybe you’ve seen fit people lifting weights on Instagram. Maybe one of your co-workers goes to a gym after work every day. Maybe you even have friends who won’t stop talking about going to the gym.
But before you go down the Google rabbit hole, consider these four things when searching for “Gyms near me.”
Number 1: Consider more than just price and location in your decision.
When choosing a gym, price, and location are often the deciding factors. In my opinion, a great gym with an awesome community is worth the extra 10 or 15 minutes on the road.
Going to the gym can be a social activity, and every gym has a different culture; you should find a gym whose coaches and clients you connect well with. I tell everyone to try several gyms before deciding which one is the best for them.
Yes, gyms can be expensive. Guess what? They can also be cheap.
But you get what you pay for. So you need to ask yourself what you’re looking for. Do you just want access to equipment and not much in the way of service or coaching? If that’s the case, then maybe the lower-priced option is good for you. If you are new to the gym, however, I don’t recommend this route. You need guidance and coaching.
At VIGOR, we pride ourselves on client service. We provide our clients with one-on-one personal training services, which has a higher price point. If you want a higher-value service that provides faster results than group classes, you should consider a gym that provides one-on-one personal training in addition to group classes.
Number 2: Ask, “Do the gyms near me understand my goals?”
The most successful gyms should understand the wants, needs, and desires of their clients.
The best gyms in the business understand that we are in the results business. The worst gyms in the business think we are in the “get-bodies-in-the-door” business.
The path to results begins with a goal-setting session when you first walk in. We call ours a No Sweat Intro. Good gyms will ask you what your goals are. Do you want to lose weight? Gain strength? Get toned? Feel better in your skin?
Now, here’s the secret—the great gyms will ask you WHY.
Understanding the “why” is very powerful in setting any goal. Is it about more than just losing weight? Does your family have a history of chronic disease? Do you want to get stronger so you can play with your grandkids? Do you want to be able to use your fitness outside of the gym in activities like golf, swimming, kayaking, or hiking?
If no one sits down with you and talks to you about your goals and your “why,” then they don’t truly understand you.
You deserve to find a gym that appreciates you!
Number 3: Ask, “Do the gyms near me offer nutrition coaching?”
Yes! You read that correctly! The best gyms in your area should offer nutrition coaching.
Despite the fact that what we read on the internet is usually correct (hint—that was a joke!), the gym is not just about heavy barbells and weights. It’s about improving your fitness.
In any health and fitness routine, nutrition is responsible for 80% of the results. We see it in our clients all the time. Those who do nutrition coaching see better results than those who just exercise.
People quit gyms when they don’t see results. If you want the fastest route to results, you need good nutrition and exercise. So why not find a gym where you can get both?
Number 4: Ask yourself whether you’re searching for a “gym near me” or a “personal trainer near me.”
If you’re new to the gym, I highly advise that you start in a one-on-one personal-training environment. Fitness can be intimidating. You will feel like you don’t know what you’re doing.
Don’t get lost in a sea of terminology and equipment you don’t understand.
A gym in your area that offers personal training is the best place to start. You may even find that you enjoy the one-on-one environment more than group training.
At VIGOR, we offer personal training services. We find personal training is best for the following:
- Clients dealing with a pre-existing injury.
- Clients new to the gym.
- Older clients that might get neglected if put in a group class with 20 and 30 people
- Clients who want to make sure they’re performing the movements correctly.
- Clients who don’t like a group setting.
So don’t just toss out some search terms and sign up with the first gym you find on Google Maps. Your health is worth your due diligence. If you are ready to check out a coaching gym in Grande Prairie, book a free consultation with us!