Which Gym is MY Gym?

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Finding the right gym can be a harder decision than you think ? there are so many options out there and more amenities than you know what to do with, it is no wonder it can be a tough decision. Now granted, choosing a gym isn?t as large of an investment as buying a car or a house, but there are a number of factors that attribute to what makes a gym worth your time, effort and more importantly, your money. Below have broken down some of the factors of what I find to be important to shopping for a gym.
I. Cleanliness
The first thing that I always look for when looking at gyms is cleanliness. You can walk into a gym with the most up to date equipment and amenities that go on for miles, but if it isn?t clean, it shows a number of different factors that should have you rethinking your decision.
The bathrooms should of course, be picked up and neat, and the outward appearance of the gym as well -- but take a closer look at the equipment. Have the machines been wiped down, not just by members, but by the staff as well? Are the floors clean? If there is a pool, look at the water ? is it clear? Are there hairs all over the deck? Also, take a look at the towels that they offer ? both bath towels and sweat towels. If they are beat up and grubby (or they using the same ones to clean the equipment), then certainly don?t use them.
Not only does the cleanliness help keep you as a consumer healthy, but it also shows how much the staff cares for the gym ? and in the case of the towels, how much the gym cares about you!
II. Equipment / Amenities
Looking at the type and quality of equipment at a gym is like looking at the under the hood of a car ? you have to make sure it is going to run properly before you buy it. Make sure that there are enough machines that you won?t have to stand in line or wait for a long period of time. Even if they don?t have brand new equipment, make sure that if it is older than there aren?t cracks in the cushions, and there is no rust.
Also, if you take classes, look to make sure that there are enough bikes, or steps, or reformers and that they are in good condition, and of course, clean.
III. Staff
At a gym, regardless of if you hire a personal trainer, a masseuse or physical therapist, you want to make sure the staff there is knowledgeable, friendly and dedicated to helping you get results. Also a personable staff is a must. You shouldn?t expect the front desk associate to stand in with pom-poms as you walk in the door, but a least a general greeting or a feeling of being welcome.
There has been an influx in the Washington, D.C. area of high-end fitness facilities that offer a large number of very useful services (beyond just personal training and classes) and the one piece of advice that I will offer, is just to make sure that if the qualifications of the service are as high end as the facility.
These are just three of the things that I would keep in mind when looking for a gym. I will eventually be looking at different gyms in the area ? but until then, here are three top-notch clubs that I would strongly suggest in the Washington, DC area? These all provide you with a well-equipped, clean facility with a knowledgeable staff.
1. Equinox Fitness - 8065 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va. 22182 702. 790.6193
2. The Sports Club/LA - 1170 22 at "M" Street, N.W. / Washington, DC 20037 / 202.974.6600
3. Results / Downtown - 1101 Connecticut Avenue, NW / 202.234.5678