With the passing of another year, a lot of us made the resolution to get into shape. We all want to be confident in our bodies and what better time to start working towards that goal than the start of a new year? There are so many types of gyms out there, it’s almost overwhelming. If you’re looking to register for a gym and don’t know where to start, then this article is for you. This list does not include specialty gyms or places that focus on teaching a specific skill such as CrossFit, yoga or kickboxing.
1. School Gyms
As college students, most, if not all of us should have access to a school fitness center that is included with tuition. For convenience and to get the most bang for your buck, why not give it a try? Along with a decent collection of weight and cardio machines, your school fitness center most likely offers classes such as spinning and Zumba as well as open courts where you can play various sports at no additional cost. What’s also great is that the atmosphere of these gyms is very friendly, because everyone there has something in common.
2. “Judgement-Free” Gyms
Gyms such as Planet Fitness and Blink Fitness strongly rely on their heavy advertisements as a gym for people of all body types. These gyms are not only great for people just starting out, but they are fairly cheap and offer a more diverse set of equipment than your average school gym does. Sign ups are easy and many of them offer no commitment options.
3. Hardcore Gyms
If you are more interested in body building and less interested in the pretty equipment and gimmicks, then this is the kind of gym for you. These gyms focus more on heavy weights and have fewer machines aka picking things up and putting them down. The equipment you will find there will mainly be squat racks, benches and barbells coupled with various weights. There are many hardcore gyms flying under the radar, you just need to do some research to find the one for you.
4. Luxury Gyms
People who make a comfortable living or have a lot of money to spend are usually found at these gyms. Gyms like Equinox and Lifetime Fitness offer state of the art amenities such as pools, spas and pristine facilities. If you have the resources available to you, why not treat yourself and go all out?
5. “Universal” Gyms
Not all gyms have a specific focus. Sports Clubs, 24 hr fitness and Retro Fitness are all examples of gyms that don’t necessarily cater to a certain group, but are more universally accepted. This gym type varies geographically and you may need to do some research to find one near you. Even though they may not have a main focus, they are a good basic place to start. You will find people of all ages and abilities there, and they will usually offer class options as well.
Now that you are more aware of the types of gyms that are available, best of luck starting your fitness journey! Don’t forget that working out should be paired with eating right. Here are four ideas for some healthy snacks.