Why do you train where you do?
Often, we begin training in a particular gym and just continue doing so out of habit. The gym that you train in is very unlikely to be perfect in all domains, but what is most important is that your gym satisfies those areas of most importance to you personally.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a gym...
Accessibility & Convenience
When your gym is close to home, this can
make it much easier to get your training in on those days where you don't feel like it. The barrier of a 20-30 minute commute can be very significant for a busy person. This extends beyond just closeness to home. Maybe a gym closer to work would suit? Or on the route you take to and from work?
For me, this plays a large role in my decision making, as I want to be time-effective, and even if this comes at the cost of a poorer selection of equipment, I am happy to accept that trade-off in my current circumstances!
Cost
This is a pretty obvious one, but you
shouldn't just think of this in terms of cheaper being better. If funds are low, then yes, choosing a cheaper gym is probably wise. However, if the difference in price is 20-30 euros per month, but the cheaper gym is actually 20-30 minutes further away, then 5 x 20-30 minutes each way could cost you as much as 4-5 hours per week. Compare the cost to what you could do with those additional hours, and you may weigh the decision a little differently.
Similarly, a gym with excellent equipment or a great atmosphere might provide you with more motivation to (1) use the gym more often, and (2) put more effort in while you are there. Is this worth the extra cost? Maybe, maybe not, that's up
to you!
Equipment
As above, good equipment can make a big difference to training motivation. Short-term, you may look forward to being able to use equipment that is consistently clean, serviced, and working well. Long-term, you will be in a position to include more variety in your training, which can have significant benefits on training
outcomes.
If I can find a gym that has high-quality resistance machines, a broad range of quality cardio equipment, and maybe even a "functional area" as a bonus, I am happy to pay a little more,
or even travel a little further if my schedule allows. Don't underestimate the power of quality equipment.
Environment & Atmosphere
Finally, how is your gym's environment? Some of us like the solitude of a quiet gym, and others like the buzz of a busy gym filled with hard-working trainees. This is very individual, and personally, I am a fan of a quieter
gym, as I enjoy that solitude of doing my own thing without waiting for equipment or having to move out of the way of others. There is no "best" here, but you should consider it in the context of all of the above.
In summary, there is no best gym for everyone, but they are some of the key criteria that I think you should consider when making your selection. As a coach, I find that clients vary in their preferences quite a bit, and while some of my clients are happy to train at home with minimal equipment, others would travel across the country to find the best equipment if they could!
If you'd like to work with the Triage Team toward your goals, we are currently taking on clients. Simply pop your
details in here.
