Ask Chicagoist: Health Club Help?

By Thales Exoo in Miscellaneous on Jun 29, 2006 6:52PM

Hello Chicagoist!

I'm thinking of joining a gym - I live in the Gold Coast and I'd like to find something really close to my place. I'm mostly interested in the group exercise classes, cardio equipment, and weights.

What are some good questions to ask when I check out a gym? And am I going to be expected to sign my name on some inescapable long term deal?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

New To The Gym

Hi Gym Newbie!

First off, we'd like to congratulate you for taking this step to a healthier and happier you! Chicagoist is a big proponent of exercise and the gym, even if often our intentions don't quite mesh with our actual performance.

We think one of the keys to consistently making it to the gym is location and convenience. If your gym's not close to home or work, don't even bother unless you're way more motivated than we ever are. Another thing to think about is the hours the gym is open. If you're ready to jump on the treadmill at 5am (really?), make sure your gym opens early enough. If you're more apt to want to do leg presses at midnight, that's something to keep in mind as well. Regardless, remember that the post-work time is universally bound to be the busiest -- so either ask about wait times for machines, or be prepared to not have the most time-efficient workout.

Another thing to check out is the demographic. Some people, believe it or not, head to the gym in order to strut around in front of the mirrors in the hopes of impressing members of their desired gender, not to actually work out. If the gym is heavy on the pick-up bar set, and you tend to go to the gym in sweatpants and that way-too-big t-shirt you got for volunteering in 1996 (and to, you know, work out), you might feel more comfortable elsewhere.

It may seem obvious, but also check to make sure they have what you want. Cardio equipment and weights are pretty basic, but are they specifically what you're looking for? Do you know how to use those particular machines? Group exercise classes can also be hit-or-miss. If your ideal gym would have an intermediate power yoga class, and you sign up and discover that the yoga is really more like hatha for clutzes (Chicagoist would be enrolled in that class), you're going to be disappointed. Most gyms will let you attend a class for a fee, so consider doing that before signing up.

And what about personal trainers? If you've never really been to a gym before, or the equipment is new to you, consider seeing if the gym has a one-time training session deal you could get when you join. Seeing a trainer when you start an exercise program is a good way to make sure you're not going to hurt yourself and you're targeting the areas you want.

Contracts and deals really are going to vary from gym to gym. Just make sure the length of the contract makes sense to you, and that you can cancel if you have to move. Chances are the longer the contract the cheaper you'll be able to get the monthly fee to be. Read the fine print before you sign, and be clear on renewal policies, how much it would be to cancel, and if there's a no-obligation trial period so you can cancel if once you start going to the gym you realize it's just not the place for you.

As for where to find gyms to check out, take a stroll around where you live and see if you run across any. That way you'll be guaranteed a gym within walking distance. Another idea is to look at the Chamber of Commerce website for your neighborhood and see if local businesses are listed. Gyms will certainly be included in the listings. A good old-fashioned look through the yellow pages (especially those nifty smaller neighborhood specific ones) will also bring up lists of gyms to check out (and you can even use the internet if you're scared of actual printed material). Another great resource is the Health Club Directory, where you can search for gyms by city (unfortunately not by zip code) and amenity. A quick search for Gold Coast specific gyms came up with a couple you could check out: Equinox and Fitness Formula.

And don't forget the lakefront path! One of the best gyms in Chicago comes free of charge and you're guaranteed not to get bored of the scenery.

What do you look for in a gym? Would you recommend your health club to New To The Gym?

Image via mrsmas

Feel like you're running in place? Need some advice? Email ask(at)chicagoist(dot)com.