What Qualities Make For a Great Gym?
When you search for “gyms near me” in Poughkeepsie, you’re likely bombarded with dozens of Google results. We get that having options is great, but it really doesn’t make your search any easier. So which gym is right for you? Distinguishing a good gym from a bad one is easy, but what about a good gym from a great one? Today, let’s look at the qualities that make a gym great — we’re sure you’ll find all of these things and more at Determined Fitness!
The Right Flooring
This might be something you notice at first glance, but the right flooring can really enhance your gym experience. First off, the floor should be clean. How clean the floors are is a good indication of how well management takes care of the rest of the gym. Not only that, but there are specific types of flooring that can make exercising more enjoyable. A resilient floor dampens the strike of your feet or hands as you run or do burpees, and can limit the damage sustained from dropped barbells. This reduces the risk of injury so you can work out longer.
An Easy Layout
How many gyms have you been in that felt cramped? No one likes bumping into their gym buddy when they’re using the squat rack. A great gym is thoughtful in how they organize the space and give adequate room to each activity.
They should also organize by activity. After all, it doesn’t make sense to put the stationary bikes right next to a set of weight machines. Lifting equipment should be next to the weight racks which should be near the mirrors. Cardio equipment should be near each other. The gym should have a good sense of workspace “flow.”
All the Best Equipment
What the “best” equipment is really depends on the exercises you do and which areas of the body you want to focus on. If you know which equipment you’ll be using the most, make sure to inspect the quality and condition of the machine. If you’re just starting out on your fitness journey, look for a gym that has equipment like:
- Dumbbells: No one wants to compete for the same set of dumbbells, so make sure your gym has several sets to share.
- Weight machines: The gym should have modern weight machines that allow you to target a certain set of muscles while you exercise.
- Cardio machines: Treadmills, stationary bikes, and stair steppers are mainstays in any gym. A great gym will have plenty of these for everyone and will keep them in good condition.
People and Programming
When you work out in a gym, you don’t work out in a vacuum. You’re interacting with the staff and personal trainers as you exercise. If you’re interested in getting the most out of your workouts, you’ll want to make sure you enjoy working with the personal trainers and that there are enough of them to work with.
Similarly, you should check out the programs they have to offer. Some gyms offer group fitness classes that are a great way to meet others and stay accountable. Others have fitness challenges that you can sign up for as a fun way to compete with yourself and other gym-goers.
Accessible Membership Pricing
Your gym membership shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Great gyms offer various pricing models that are designed to fit a variety of budgets. Additionally, your gym shouldn’t have any hidden fees, as this can make an “affordable” membership a pricey one quickly.
Sign Up Today
At Determined Fitness, we offer all of the above, and more. When you sign up at our gym in Poughkeepsie, you also get access to great perks, like our cafe, tanning beds, hydromassages, and more. Stop by today and check us out!