Are you one of the many out there who has thought about purchasing a gym membership, but have yet to take the leap? Or maybe you already have a membership, but rarely use it because the gym isn’t conveniently located, is always busy or doesn’t offer what you’re looking for. This article will provide tips for finding the facility best suited to your needs.

One of the biggest deterrents to a successful fitness program is lack of accessibility. For example, several months ago a friend of mine bragged about this fancy new gym he had joined. He told me all about the fun gadgets and toys it provided, the Olympic-sized lap pool, the extensive collection of cardiovascular exercise equipment and more. When I asked him about the gym a month later, he sighed and told me that he hadn’t exercised in two weeks. The problem? He had to travel 20 to 30 minutes out of his way to work out, which eventually consumed too much of his day, so he stopped going.

For many people, getting to the gym is hard enough. Having to travel significant distance for exercise is a serious deterrant. When checking in to gym memberships, start first with those that are within close proximity to your house or work. You might also look into facilities that are along your path to and from work.

In this day and age there are more ways to get fit than there are flavors at Baskin Robbins. However not all types of exercise fit all people which means that you want to make sure your preferred method can be performed at the gym you choose. For example, if pushing and pulling heavy weights isn’t your bag, be sure that the gym offers alternatives such as Pilates, yoga or other modalities of interest. If you’re new to the fitness scene you’ll also want a gym with a variety of fitness options so you can try different classes or programs to see which best fits your style.

If you plan to take advantage of the myriad pieces of equipment at a gym, it is of utmost importance that it is clean and well maintained. There are countless horror stories of unassuming exercisers who experienced significant injury because a bolt wasn’t tightened or a faulty treadmill had not been fixed or removed. Don’t be a gym floor casualty. Ask gym staff about their equipment maintenance schedule.

Many facilities offer free tours so you can check out all the offerings, but do they let you loose on your own for a trial run? Gym staff are very good at highlighting the positive (they’re sales people, and are eager to get your green), but sometimes it’s difficult to really measure whether you’ll be satisfied unless you take it for a spin. Request a day or week pass so you can determine if the facility is a good fit. If you’re not comfortable, then move on.

At some point in your fitness future, you may be interested in seeking the guidance of a qualified fitness professional. Whether you simply want to ask a question about exercise technique, participate in a group exercise class or hire a personal trainer to help revamp your program, it is extremely important that the staff is qualified to meet your needs. Like a lawyer who must pass an exam in order to practice law, fitness professionals too must pass exams to obtain one or more certifications in order to perform their jobs safely and effectively. Examples of quality certifications include ACE, ACSM, NSCA and NASM.

It is also important to ask about continuing education practices among the staff. The fitness industry is still relatively new and is always evolving. Fitness professionals must stay up-to-date on the latest research in order to properly work with clients and exercisers.

It’s nearly impossible to find a gym where all members are totally fitness oriented. Time and again I’ve visited facilities where the primary objective seemed to exercise gums instead of biceps. If your goal is to get in, work hard, and get out, seek out a gym where the majority of the membership shares a similar interest. You should feel comfortable at your gym and not have to worry that everyone is ogling you while you perform a set of squats (unless you’re into that sort of thing).

If one of your main goals is to join a cardio kick boxing class, be sure that the gym offers the program at a time that is convenient for you. Since this is a significant draw for you, chances are that you’ll stop going to the gym if you are unable to take the class due to scheduling conflicts.

Another point to consider is the accessibility of equipment (and the gym!) during the times you wish to exercise. If you can only workout during peak times, you’ll need to beware that you’ll most likely have to wait for various pieces of equipment. This is an easy way to double your intended 45-minute workout. Also be sure that adequate parking space is available to you. If you have to circle the gym for any period of time, it’s plausible that you’ll head right out of the gym driveway and into yours. A good way to make sure that your workout will not be disrupted is to visit during the time you plan to exercise. If it’s too busy, move on.

Big box gyms are easily recognizable, but they aren’t the only option. There are plenty of smaller, owner-operated facilities that can adequately meet your needs. These boutique-style gyms tend to place greater focus on customer service and offer quality programs at competitive prices. If you prefer less distraction, hands-on service and a bit more privacy, the small gym might be the way to go.

Joining a gym can be instrumental in helping you start or maintain an exercise program, but don’t settle for a membership you may come to regret. Make informed, smart decisions at the get-go and you’ll avoid the headaches of canceling a contract and heading out to sign up for another.