Gyms
New Zealand Gyms
Joining a New Zealand gym is an investment in your health and fitness. Follow our guide to choosing a fitness centre from one of the many New Zealand gyms on offer. Get active today!
Once you've made the decision to join a New Zealand gym for greater health and fitness, it's time to shop around and make sure you choose the New Zealand fitness centre that suits you best. Choosing the right gym is harder than it sounds. Take care when making this decision – selecting a good gym means you'll be motivated to make fitness workouts a regular (and fun!) part of your life.
Just 30 minutes of physical activity each day can greatly improve your health and fitness, and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems. Along with eating healthily, regular exercise will help you:
- Improve your fitness, strength, endurance and flexibility
- Feel better physically and mentally
- Stay within a healthy weight range
- Enjoy a good night's sleep
- Be a good role model for friends and family
When choosing a gym or fitness centre in New Zealand, consider:
1. Location
The most important consideration when choosing a gym is location. The fact is, if your gym is more than ten minutes from your home or workplace, you're more likely to find yourself sitting watching television than sweating it out at the gym. Bear in mind how you plan to fit a gym workout into your day and choose a gym that is convenient for when you need to use it.
2. Cost
Membership fees vary considerably between gyms, so shop around for something that is affordable for you. Remember, a higher price is generally reflected in facilities and/or services of a higher quality. There may be a number of payment options available, such as paying upfront (this could save you money on a one year membership) or making regular weekly, monthly or three-monthly payments.
Ensure that you check whether classes, parking, lockers, swimming pool, sauna, shower and any other facilities are included in the basic membership cost. Some gyms charge for these added extras. Also check for hidden sign-up fees, refund policies and other conditions within your contract. Read the small print carefully before signing and don't be afraid to ask questions.
3. Atmosphere
What kind of atmosphere does the gym have? Consider the friendliness of the gym staff, the people who use the gym, and whether you like the kind of music the fitness centre plays. Simply ask yourself: Will I feel comfortable exercising in this environment? If the answer is No, you probably won't make the most of your membership. Also, check out other facilities on offer at the gym, such as swimming pool, spa, sauna, massage, childcare, café and car parking.
4. Gym equipment
Gym equipment should be clean and in good condition, with plenty of cardio and weights equipment for the number of people using the gym. Are there queues? What is the booking system that operates? You might also like to consider whether there are televisions, magazines or a sound system to keep you entertained while you work out.
5. Classes
Classes can be a fun addition to your weekly workout schedule and are a great way to meet people at your gym. Many New Zealand health and fitness centres offer yoga and pilates classes, along with the usual aerobics, step, kickboxing and circuit classes. Check out the gym's range of fitness classes, the class timetable and the skill levels catered for, to make sure their classes will meet your needs. Also, find out if there is any additional charge.
6. Hours
Think about when you'll be using the gym. Make sure the gym will be open when you are most likely to be able to fit in a workout. Visit at the time of day you would be using the gym and see how many people are using the facilities at this time. Be sure to check weekend opening hours, as these are often reduced and may not be suited to your needs.
7. Staff
If you are completely new to the gym scene, you'll need staff who are helpful, friendly and willing to answer your questions. Gyms usually offer a tour of gym facilities before signing up for membership, so take this opportunity to check out how many staff members are around the gym. Gym staff should be friendly and knowledgeable. Before your gym programme is created, a physical assessment is needed, including weight, blood pressure and discussion of any pre-existing medical conditions.
8. Personal Trainers
Gyms and fitness centres often have personal trainers who can assist you in your gym workouts, providing motivation and ensuring that your technique is spot on. If you think this would be a good idea for you, ask about the cost for this service and the experience level of the gym's personal trainers.
Becoming a member of a gym is an investment in your health and fitness, so take the time to find a gym that meets your needs. Before signing on the dotted line, ask if the gym offers a complimentary trial membership – there's nothing quite like taking a gym for a test drive to see if it's a good fit for you. Once you've found your ideal gym, with good location, great facilities and helpful staff, all at an affordable price, you'll be ready to get into a more active, healthy life.
Looking for more information? Find New Zealand gyms in the NZS.com directory.
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