[Kelt]

Originally Posted by Gemme

I went gym shopping today, exercisers!

Here are my options:

Gym 1: current gym

Hours: 24 hrs during the week and from 7-7 on weekends.
Features: cardio machines, weight training, circuit training room, stretch area, free consultation, free training sessions, massage chairs, hydromassage bed, location is less than 2 miles from me.
Drawbacks: annual fee and ventilation. With the exception of the circuit training room, it's always hot in there and it affects my effort and results. No weekend classes.
Neutral: contract required
Option: 2nd gym I can go to with no paperwork change or additional charges that is 5 miles away, larger, newer and the temperature is better

Gym 2: meathead gym

Hours: reasonable. 5am-9-10pm and opens at 7 and 8 on the weekends through 7 or 8pm
Features: cardio, weight training, women's only circuit training room, private stretch area, one consultation with trainer, punching bag (always wanted one), sauna, free classes (some of which are really kick ass), free week pass, juice bar, month to month or 1 year or 2 year contracts with AAA discount. 2 week cancellation.
Drawbacks: annual fee, enrollment fee, parking lot hard to park comfortably, at peak times there can be wait periods for apparatus. Classes are first come, first serve. Environment is not 100% comfy for me. Farther away...about 3 miles one way.

Gym 3: new gym

Hours: reasonable. 5am-11pm and 8-8 on the weekends
Features: cardio, weight training, free classes (including weekend classes), racquetball courts, sauna, heated pool, Jacuzzi, one hour consultation and orientation, month to month contracts, great parking and it's huge (never crowded), 2 week cancellation.
Drawbacks: enrollment fee, location (5 miles each way)
Bonus: I saw a guy walking in as I was leaving and I played dumb and asked him if he went to the gym (I saw his lanyard so I figured he worked there). As it turns out, he is the General Manager and we chatted for a few minutes. He offered me one free hour of training if I give them a shot.


Gym 4: old gym

Hours: fairly reasonable. 5am-9pm, 7-6 on Sat, 8-3 on Sun
Features: cardio, weight training including free motion machines, nice owners (wife is about to pop out their first baby...a boy), free classes (including weekends), sauna, Jacuzzi, saltwater heated pool, orientation, varying contracts lengths/amounts of time, easy parking, 2 day pass. It's within walking distance from home.
Drawbacks: it's an old facility and kind of smells like it, the classes are very small. Some of the contract options (namely, the ones I'm looking at) are outrageously expensive.

Soooooo......which option would you choose. Oh, Gym 3 has a sale that ends tomorrow so snap, snap with your decision.

#1 Is a known quantity that you are unhappy enough with to go shopping. It's out, and you're ready for a freshen up on your routine anyway.

#2 Sounds like distance is a factor for you, but how much? Is it enough that you'll let yourself skid sometimes because of it? Ventilation unknown, environment not 100% is something only you know what it means. Figure out how important that is. You have to wait for apparatus now and then where you are and it irritates you. All in all, pass.

#3 Distance, see #2. Not crowded, free classes, shiny bonus. Cancellation policy, what's to lose by trying?

#4 Known quantity, shiny isn't always better. Walking distance could be a huge deal maker.

Okay, try #3 for 2 week trial and either love it or get it out of your system with the knowledge that #4 is waiting in the wings.

Gee, this is a whole lot easier when you're deciding for someone else!