You are at the start of your fitness journey, looking to find a gym to train with to become fit quickly. Or you have been training with a gym for several months but feel like you’ve reached a snag, standing in your way of your fitness journey. Either way, choosing a gym can be daunting, with an overwhelming number of choices out there. The last thing you want is to get stuck in a loop of procrastination and analysis paralysis. This happened to me recently when my gym membership expired and I was looking for a new gym. It can be pretty straightforward though, with the first step being understanding the gym model that works for you.
Model 1: Individual training meets classes
At one end of the spectrum are gyms that offer training equipment and space, which members have access to. These gyms tend to have pretty long opening hours (some even 24/7), multiple outlets across the island, and affordable pricing, which makes it an attractive and adequate option if you’re looking for a no-frills and flexible place to train with. Examples of such gyms include Anytime Fitness, EnergyOne Gym, Fitness First, Gymmboxx. They tend to be the most affordable tier of gym model with membership typically ranging from $100 – $150 a month. Some of these gyms also offer a variety of group classes throughout the day for their members. Fitness First for example has possibly one of the largest range of group classes, ranging from cardio, cycling, dance, strength and condition – you name it, they have it.
Flexibility, accessibility, variety and affordability – If you’re someone who values these plus points, or are constantly looking to switch up your workout routine, such gyms, especially Fitness First would be a good starting point to find your optimal workout routine. At least till you discover your optimal workout/ training routine that helps you become fit quickly.
Model 2: Class-based gyms
These are gyms that offer only classes at a pre-defined time within a select combination of focused workout/ training category such as high intensity interval training (HIIT), functional training, resistance training, spin, yoga, pilates etc. There are no free training space/ equipment that you can pop in to use as and when inspiration hits you. Examples include Fitstop, F45, BFT, Barry’s – the selection really is endless, and each gym has its own workout niche. For example, Fitstop focuses on a combination of perform, strength and conditioning training, achieving a good balance throughout the week. In contrast, I find that F45 tends to focus more on cardio and HIIT training, rather than strength training.
This gym model tends to be pricier than the first, with membership typically ranging from $230 – $300 a month. Flexibility is also limited, with classes conducted at specific times and membership tied to a specific outlet. If you are someone who has a good idea of your preferred workout routine and value training efficiency and effectiveness, this could be your model of choice. I find that class-based gyms offer the best balance between attention of the trainer to correct your form, and feeling you’re not alone in your fitness journey due to the strong gym community that exists. I think the power of community is crucial for one’s fitness journey.
Model 3: Personal trainers
As the name suggests, this model gives you one-on-one training with a trainer of your choice. The trainer customises your training programme based on his/her understanding of your goals, whether it’s fat loss, muscle gain or general fitness maintenance and training needs. TSquared Lab is one such example with a ready ecosystem of personal trainers. There are also many freelance trainers out there that you can choose from and not constrained to a particular gym.
Naturally this is the most expensive gym model/ option, with hourly rates that are highly trainer dependent. While I have not personally used this myself, I’ve heard of hourly rates that are $120/hr, or even $250/hr. However, if you are committed to become fit quickly, a personal trainer can for sure supercharge that journey.
Now for how to choose your ideal gym model/ gym – there are 4 key considerations:
Consideration 1: Your training style – are you someone who trains better alone or in a group? Does the energy of others or a trainer motivate you to push yourself harder, or does it drain you? Class-based gyms are your best bet if you enjoy and derive motivation from being part of a consistent community. You also know that your fitness journey is in the hands of experienced trainers and proven programmes.
The community, including the trainer, is very often strong, especially if you workout at a consistent time of day. A strong community is often a key motivation to commit to working out several times a week. I cannot stress this enough but commitment is fundamental to achieve your aim of becoming fit quickly. Or if you need someone to hold you accountable to your fitness goals, but are self-conscious about training in a group, a personal trainer would be an attractive option.
Consideration 2: Your budget – this is a practical consideration that hits us at some point in our evaluation. It’s not just about ‘can I afford this’, but also ‘is this price driving the desired utility/ value’. Gyms offering training equipment and space are affordable for the wallet conscious, or those who know their preferred workout routine. The crowd however builds up quickly during peak hours. That’s 0600 – 0800 and 1800 – 2000 for the working crowd, which could mean queuing to use a machine/ free weights.
Consideration 3: Your training preference – are you looking to build strength/ muscle, build up your cardio resistance, improve your flexibility and core strength or a hybrid of all of them? While many gyms focus on conditioning and building up your cardiovascular resistance, the intensity/ mix of exercises could vary. For example, F45 is more HIIT and circuit training biased while Fitstop has a good mix of functional + strength training. Understanding your training focus and mix is foundational in choosing a gym.
Consideration 4: Your desired flexibility/ convenience – are you looking to train at non-peak hours of the day? Do you want to be able to switch among outlets depending on where you are for the day? If the answer to these 2 questions is a yes, you might find class-based gyms a little too restrictive. Classes are usually conducted during peak hours based on a typical corporate working schedule, with memberships tied to a specific outlet due to their franchise model, which makes switching between locations impossible.
It is perfectly normal to be unsure of your workout needs and hesitant to commit to a gym membership. Many gyms offer a one free session, or trial periods during which you have access to their gym/ training programme. ClassPass is a useful option in your gym shopping journey, to get a sense of your training preference and style, and understand your commitment level. I used ClassPass myself previously to experience the training programmes of Ritual, Fitstop, F45 and REVL, before finally landing on Fitstop. Happy gym shopping and I hope you find your ideal gym to become fit quickly!