Is your gym routine headed downhill? It might have more to do more with your choice of gym. Here are 8 questions you should ask to find the right fit, finds Anjana Vaswani
Is your gym routine headed downhill? It might have more to do more with your choice of gym. Here are 8 questions you should ask to find the right fit, finds Anjana Vaswani
Checklist
1. Does it have state-of-the-art equipment? Asks the trainer to celebs
Leena Mogre
First impressions are very important, so see how you feel about the way you were greeted, the information you were given, the assessment process you were put through, the degree of professionalism. Try the equipment while you are there, and talk to trainers who might be around at the time.u00a0 A good gym will boast equipment.
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Leena Mogre trains actress Mugdha Godse
2. Is it a Virar fast? Asks the Ex-Miss India
Sarah Jane Dias
I'm a people's person, but when I go to the gym, I like to disconnect from the world. So, an over-crowded gym is something I'd advise you to stay away from. I'd recommend opting for a trial-run during the hours you intend to visit the gym on most days, to see how packed it gets. Who wants to wait 10 minutes for a treadmill to get free?
3. Does it offer value ads? Asks the health guru
Mickey Mehta
Look at what additional facilities the gym offers. Do they, for instance, have a physiotherapist on their staff? Can they offer you personal attention, and is that included in your fees?u00a0 Otherwise, all of these come at a hidden cost. Do trainers only offer equipment training or do they also employ calisthenics, yoga, breathing, relaxation, and stretching? While an equipment-free programme can work well on its own, it's best if it's complemented by machine-training. Find out if it employs trainers with basic first-aid knowledge. Don't just inquire with the manager. Get in touch with existing members. A nutritionist, rather than a dietician, should be on board to guide members since body-building and weight-loss are best not achieved within an overambitious timeframe.
4. Is it lit and airy? Asks the crystal therapist-counselor
Samira Amin
The flow of chi within the gym is an important consideration. You don't need to take an expert along to assess the gym's design. Just check for an airy space. It shouldn't be cramped, with machines crowding the area. When you go to the gym, you take your worries with you. During a workout, endorphins are released within the brain, lending you a natural high, making you feel better after a workout. If the gym isn't well-lit, airy and crowded, you won't achieve this state easily.
5. What's the programme?u00a0Asks the fitness expert
Meera Doshi
Check if programmes and classes are available at the gym, and if any of that holds your interest. Do they have group classes? If you prefer individual attention, is that available? Not everyone is satisfied with access to standard gym equipment for a whole year; you need variety.
6. Does it have enough staff? Asks the fitness consultant
Shalini Bhargava
You are well within your right to enquire about qualifications of trainers. A basic certificate from an Indian fitness school is a must. If you come across a trainer with a degree from the American College of Sports Medicine, there's nothing like it. Ideally, you need 1 trainer for every 5 members present.
7. Where is it located? Asks the TV actress
Prachi Desai
I moved home twice last year, so, if there's one thing I've come to understand, it's the importance of where your gym is located. Fortunately for me, the gym turned out to be equidistant both residences. Still, the traffic is a problem, taking me up to 40 minutes to get there. Look for a 24-hour gym, or one that's located somewhere between your workplace and home. Also consider parking space available at the gym, or in lanes around, if you have a vehicle.
8. Is it value for money? Asks the model
Rayomand Irani
It doesn't really matter where you work out as long as you get about 50 minutes of exercise, four times a week. You could, if you prefer, opt to walk at a park or climb stairs in your building. So, while selecting a gym, consider how you intend to use it. If it's equipped with free dumb bells, free weights, pull-up and parallel bars and enough equipment to tone leg muscles, that's usually enough for most of us. It would be prudent, therefore, not to shell out a hefty annual membership fee if all you intend to use is the treadmill.
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