What to look for in a gym for you weight control plan

Gymnasiums always remind me of fancy gadgets and gizmos, of perfectly-sculpted bodies and health freaks wanting to trim and tone every part of their body. My romance with the gym began some 10 years ago, when it was considered fashionable to go to the gym, especially at that time many of my friends were mad at a slim figure. Armed with a friend (for moral support) and oozing with loads of confidence, we walked in our best track pants to the neighborhood gym. Believe it or not, but we were the first members of the fairer sex to enroll and even got a 20 per cent discount because of that. So far so good. But the experience that followed could hardly be described as pleasant. The interiors were dingy and smelly, the equipment looked old and neglected, there was no instructor to guide us and there were men of all shapes and sizes - apparently working out - to cacophonic music. Needless to say, we ran as fast as we could. After this disastrous maiden experience, it took nearly a decade before I could summon the courage to enter another gymnasium.

And this one took my breath away. Swanky, huge interiors, trained instructors and last but not the least, state-of-the-art machines. Treadmills, rowers, steppers, cycles, weights - you name it and it was there.

As people get more and more health-conscious today, the numbers who frequent gyms has grown by leaps and bounds. Fitness centres have sprung up in almost every nook and corner. You’ll be surprised if you don’t find a gym in your locality. But for all you fitness fanatics, who love to sweat it out, do you know what to look out for in a gym? Is your decision based on peer pressure, or on the look-and-feel of the place or is it simply a matter of convenience? Whatever gym you choose to go, make sure that your decision is based on pure hard facts and more importantly, helps you in achieving your goals - especially when most gyms charge quite a packet today.

Typically, here’s what you should look out for:

The physical environment: The gym you choose should be airy, ventilated and have ample space. What’s more, it should be neat and clean, with toilet and drinking water facilities. These may seem trivial now, but after you’ve done 20 minutes on the treadmill, and are huffing and puffing, there is nothing more frustrating than not getting a drink of water. In addition, make sure that the machines are evenly spaced out or else you’ll be stepping on your neighbor’s toes, literally. Having an adequate number of mirrors is also necessary as you can do a self-check on your posture, besides which looking at your reflection gives you that much-needed motivation to carry on.

The trainer: No gym is complete without a trainer, and that too a certified one. Ideally, he should have certification from the American Council of Exercise (ACE). Your trainer is like your guru who initiates you into the gym, informs you about the various guidelines, helps you choose which machine will suit you best and monitors your progress. What’s important is that your trainer is physically present when you visit the gym and is available for any query that you may have. He should also be able to customize a fitness and nutritional programme for you, if you so desire. Training centres with half-baked instructors should be strictly avoided.

The PAR Q or the Personal Activity Readiness Questionnaire: It is mandatory that before you join a gym, your trainer makes you fill the PAR Q to determine whether you are medically fit to take on the rigours of exercising. If you have a history of heart-related problems, or suffer from diabetes, arthritis, asthma etc, you need to consult your doctor before you start on any programme. In fact, it is strongly recommended that you get the green signal from your doctor before enrolling.

The Equipment: Don’t get fooled by the hi-fi machines and sophisticated gadgets. Make sure that your gym is geared for fitness. In other words, the machines should provide you with real benefits and not be there for aesthetic beauty. A good gym should have the following machines: for cardiovascular fitness there should be treadmills (motorized or the flat belt ones), cycles, steppers, a rowing or skiing machine. To exercise your muscles, you need a leg press, leg extension and leg curls for the lower body, pec dec, chest press and an overhead press for the upper body and free weights such as dumb bells and bar bells. Besides, the machines should be well-oiled and in adequate number so that there is no time lost in waiting. Music plays an important role in exercising, but it should be soothing and relaxing. Loud music is bound to distract you from your exercise. Remember, if you are using a walkman or a personal stereo, tone down the volume. Your neighbor may not share your taste in music. I tend to look for clean, well-maintained gyms, which have a similar profile of people who have common goals. I hate gyms which have very loud music.