24 Hour Fitness - Is It Right For You?

Tom Rooney

One of the newest trends of exercise clubs is the 24 Hour Fitness center. The 24 Hour Fitness center is a chain fitness center with centers all over the United States, but there are other fitness centers that offer 24 hour access to their facilities. If looking into the 24 Hour Fitness Centers or another fitness center that offers 24 hour fitness you’ll want to consider several things before making a commitment to them.

• Location. You’ll be less likely to go to the gym if you have to travel far. The first 24 Hour Fitness Centers or other fitness centers that offer 24 hour access that you look into should be the ones closest to your home. Saying you don’t have the time or desire to travel 20 minutes (or however far it is) is a great excuse to NOT exercise. The best thing you can do is eliminate the possibility of trying to use that excuse by finding a center close to your home or office.

• Staff. Never make a commitment to a fitness center without stopping in to ask questions and getting a feel for the staff. You want to go somewhere (again 24 Hour Fitness or otherwise) where you’ll feel welcomed and where you know you can have your questions answered without feeling like you’re putting someone out. Similarly, you want to know that the staff will uphold the center’s policies without demeaning or embarrassing the patrons.

• Equipment and Programs. You might already know what you want to do for exercise. If so, make sure the centers (24 Hour Fitness or otherwise) you’re looking at offers what you need. Don’t compromise on this. For example, if you know you like group fitness classes but those offered don’t fit well into your work schedule you’ll probably regret your commitment to the gym. Similarly, if you don’t know what you want for exercise opportunities yet, make sure the 24 hour fitness center you choose is one that offers a large variety of equipment and classes to help you find the types you like best.

• Cleanliness. There is nothing worse than a smelly, unclean fitness center. Take a tour and ask the fitness center about it’s cleaning routines and policies. If they only clean in the mid-mornings, you may find your self at a 24 hour fitness center either early morning or late night that isn’t very clean.

• Amenities. You might benefit from their other amenities as well so it’s important to check into other offerings at the 24 hour fitness center (or others) to help you make the decision between two possibilities that are very similar otherwise. Some centers give all members an overnight locker at no extra charge (you can keep all your toiletries in there so you have to lug less with you each visit). Others may offer childcare or laundering of exercise clothes.

Find out what these are to help you find the best fitness center for you.