As the spring semester kicks into gear, almost everyone is talking about Kansas State’s Recreation Center and its motivated members taking over every machine, dumbbell and bench at all hours of the day. Everyone making New Year’s resolutions is determined to stick to their goals. Unfortunately, though, this means the Rec is too busy for many people to complete their workout in a timely, and comfortable manner.

Many students are considering switching gyms. With the switch, though, comes several questions: What’s my budget? Do I want a commercial gym or a smaller, more “warehouse” feel to my gym? And, most importantly, what hours do I need a gym to be open? Below, I created a simple guide to hopefully help anyone searching for a new gym make a well-informed decision!

Day/Week Pass:

My first piece of advice for choosing a new gym is to test the gym out first! Most gyms offer a free day pass for first-time goers, and several commercial gyms provide week-long trial runs. These free passes allow you to get a feel for the gym before you commit to a membership. Make sure when you test out the gym, that you go during a normally busy time to truly see how packed the gym gets. If you’re like me, I prefer quiet, smaller gyms–get to know your gym before you buy a pass!

Price: 

Arguably the most important factor for choosing a new gym as a student is defining your budget. A good rule of thumb is that the gym should not cost more than five to ten percent of your monthly income. Several gyms also offer seasonal deals that are cheaper, so keep your eyes peeled when spring rolls around!

Equipment:

Everyone has a preference–some are die hard machine users, and others are free weights and squat racks only. Investigate the type of equipment the gym has before buying a membership, because the equipment will become your best friend.

Location: 

If you’re like me, you don’t want to drive more than ten minutes to the gym. Finding the motivation to go to the gym is already hard enough on long, tiring days, and a shorter drive makes the trip that much easier.

Gym Hours:

Second only to price, gym hours are vital to your fitness success! If you work long daytime hours, I suggest looking for a gym that’s open until at least 11 p.m. If you’re an early bird, make sure the gym is open by 5 a.m., or you might be out of luck!

Cleanliness:

Last, but not least, is gym cleanliness. I’m sure we’ve all been to a gym that looks like it’s never been wiped down or swept. No one wants to leave the gym feeling dirty on top of their hard-earned sweat, so make sure the gym you choose lives up to your standards!

If you decide to look for a new gym in the future, use this list as a guide to choose the best gym for you. Gyms, like jeans, are never one size fits all, so be picky and don’t be afraid to say no if a Genesis, commercial-type vibe isn’t your thing.