Get to Know Your Gym - What You Need to Check, Do and Take

When you’re on a regular workout program for muscle gain, you’re practically living in the gym so it’s just appropriate to know everything about the place. Here’s a checklist of what you need to take note of in choosing a gym and how you can be more familiar with it:

1. Location and opening time
Have you thought about your preferred location for a gym as well as your workout hours? If you work long hours or you take a long time when traveling from work, then your best bet will be a gym close to your office.

2. Equipment
Take a look around the gym and see what equipment they have. A Smith machine will be useful for lifting free weights and when you don't have a regular training partner, a necessity for lifting heavy weights. You should also make sure there are enough bars, benches, discs, dumbbells and weight racks.

3. Instructors
Check the qualifications and how much experience the gym instructors have. You'll need to be sure that the choices for a personal trainer in London will be able to offer you the right advice when you need expert help.

4. Peak times
Inquire about the best times to train in terms of equipment availability and make sure these fit in with your own schedule. Some gyms offer off-peak membership, which could save you a lot of money.

5. Who trains there?
Traditional body-building type gyms feel a bit intimidating when you're just starting out, but don't allow your training to be affected by unsolicited and outdated training theory.

6. Check the small print
Some gyms will tie you into a membership for a set period. Find out what the cancellation policy is and whether your membership will let you use other gyms in the chain. Don’t pay for facilities you’ll never use.