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Dorchester Center, MA 02124
At the start of a new year, gyms and other fitness facilities typically see an influx of new and returning exercisers. If you count yourself among those who are excited about their New Year’s resolutions and are eager to get started or re-started, you may be weighing your options for joining a gym.
Man and woman talking and running on treadmills at gym(Getty Images)
One often-overlooked consideration when choosing a gym is how welcomed and inspired you feel when you step through the doors.
After all, if exercise feels like a chore or the facility itself does not align with your personality, needs and objectives, you’ve just introduced a new barrier to long-term participation.
Before exploring things to look for in a facility, it’s important to understand why the right environment is so crucial. One of the best indicators of long-term adherence to an exercise program is social support, which can come in the form of a workout partner, a walking group or a group fitness class, for example.
Social support can also be present within the facility itself if you see friendly faces when you walk through the door, feel safe and valued in the space and feel like the environment sets you up for success.
For many people, finding a welcoming, inspiring and empowering fitness facility is challenging for any number of reasons, whether those are related to age, race, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, faith, socioeconomic status, education level, size, or physical or intellectual ability.
Before signing up for a membership at a fitness facility, consider what should be present in a welcoming gym environment. Not all of these will pertain to you, but taking the time to identify which are most important will help you find the right gym for you. Here are some elements that you might look for:
Beyond these checklist items, pay attention to the types of services offered and the way you are spoken to when asking questions or visiting the facility. For example, are they pushing weight loss in all of their communication?
If you are more interested in holistic wellness or improving your day-to-day function, that facility’s approach may not align with your goals. Other examples might include gyms that focus on high-intensity exercise or training for athletes. Pay attention to whether you seem like part of a facility’s target market.
The best facilities create a sense of community, so pay attention to how you feel when you interact with employees or watch members exercise. Does it inspire you to join in and get moving? If so, that facility may be the right match for you.