Is a Professional Gym Right for You?

Gyms can offer pretty amazing benefits, both psychological and practical. However, take care to keep a few things in mind before you sign up for one.

Gyms are convenient because they offer you a variety of equipment that you likely aren't going to be able to buy on your own. Of course, you have multi-station weight machines available to you, but most gyms also have rowing machines, stretching bars, and treadmills, among other types of exercise equipment.

Many have tennis and racquetball courts, occasionally even squash and Jai Lai courts. Jai Lai is that fast-paced Spanish-origin game played in a racquetball-like court with a curved racket, only much faster. In addition, some gyms offer swimming pools, saunas and even rock-climbing practice walls.

Unless you're a multi-millionaire you couldn't begin to duplicate the space or the gear available at a professional gym.

In addition, the trainers at a gym offer customers a lot of specialized knowledge. Information is shared among members, too. The trainers can clarify doubts you may have on subjects such as weight training, diet and health.

In some cases, gym members can be more knowledgeable than the professionals. If people are dedicated to their fitness programs, they often take the time and effort to study everything they need to know to get their own training in optimal shape. At a gym, you'll find aerobics instructors, medical doctors and "mainstream" fitness fanatics among its clients.

Besides access to proper gear and a whole body of specialized knowledge, gyms provide people with a chance to interact - this is good because exercise routines can be quite dull. Talking to your neighbor while you both are working out is certainly more stimulating than mindlessly staring at a TV.

At a gym, you'll make social contacts, will be encouraged, and can get into a regular workout routine that you just can't duplicate at home.

However, gyms do have certain disadvantages.

A gym membership can be expensive. Most offer different payment plans, such as per visit, month, or year, or as a lifetime membership. If you pay by the visit, this is usually pricey, although it's a good option for you if you're just traveling and have a one-time visit in mind. Paying for a gym membership per month is often your best value, but prices will still roughly average between $30 and $300 a month. Many gyms offer trial memberships, either free or at a significantly reduced rate for the first month.

Do remember that paying for membership and then not attending sessions is a completely waste of money, so that's one big disadvantage of a gym. It's hard to work up the enthusiasm to go and work at something that is really more a chore than anything else, and sometimes it's a lack of time that makes us miss gym workouts.

In addition, gyms can be messy. Most gym members are very conscientious about their own hygiene habits and wipe down their own equipment, but if you use a piece of equipment after someone who hasn't, it can be extremely unpleasant. If the gym's staff is alert to this type of behavior, it can become a very rare occurrence. Look for a gym with staff that's on the ball and that cares about its clientele.

Gyms can be unhealthy. Mingling with lots of people in a hot, humid atmosphere can encourage the spread of colds and other air-borne or contact-spread diseases. Showers are particularly prone to this since you usually have to touch the controls.

It's a matter of personal choice when it comes to deciding on a gym. It's sensible to examine all the advantages and disadvantages before taking a call on this, and also to try out several gyms until you find the one that's right for you.

About the Author

Kim Archer writes about women's wellness. She is publisher of The Internet Spa, where you'll find up-to-date information to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.

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