6. Bodybuilding - Selecting a Gym

Ok you now know how to do the movements and what general body part the movements are for. The next thing you must do is decide where to do the movements. I personally workout at home, I have a very diversified selection of weight lifting machines in my basement, and I replace the older machine with new ones every two or three years. 

With that said I would suggest that no newbie buy any exercise equipment until he has at least a year of dedicated lifting under his belt. I have seen the ®Bow Flex machines in living rooms use as clothes hanger more than exercise equipment. And even though the Bow Flex people don’t mind it is a waste of money. There is a possibility (god forbid) that you may find the bodybuilding is not for you what do you do with this $2000 equipment if you are never going to use it again? 

Also I have regular workout partners that arrive at my house the same time ever scheduled day to workout. In many cases they become my motivation when I don’t want to lift. Or I can become their motivation as well. This is one of the advantages of a lifting partner; the two of you can motivate each other. When you lift at home alone there is no one to say to you get off you fat lazy behind and stop watching Oprah and lift weights.
One again don’t but exercise equipment until you have at lest a year of lifting under yourbelt.

So what that means is that you will have to find a gym to workout in. Here are some of the things that you should look for when selecting a gym. Proximity, where is the gym where is home, they should be as close as possible. I lifted for years at a gym not far from my job so right after I got off work I went to the gym. If you make a habit of meeting someone at the gym a nearby gym makes it more difficult to talk yourself out of going.

Value added services (that’s a technical term) should not be consider when selecting a gym unless you plan to use the value added equipment, classes, or facilities. I don’t swim; if a gym has swimming as a value added service I overlook that service completely. Swimming pools, Sauna, badminton, basketball and the likes all add to the over all membership cost shared by everyone. Remember it’s your money when selecting a gym as with anything else spend it wisely.  Fully understand the contract that you sign. And if possible find a gym that requires only short term contracts or work on month to month basics. Many hardcore gyms are for those that just want to workout. In most cases these gym are well equipped, but still cater to a small section of physical fitness buffs. These gyms though are not as pretty as other offer monthly and even weekly or daily memberships. If you are not one impressed with glamour this may be an option for you. Also these gyms can provide a fountain of information for the novice lifter.

One thing that many people overlook when selecting a gym is the cliental, find a gym that you will be compatible with your personal beliefs and selection. In Philadelphia there are gyms located in parts of town where the cliental practice alternative lifestyles. I have found that all of these gym are excellent places to workout if you are confident about yourself and don’t have any religious of homophobic issues. I any event understand the type of members that will be using the gym and make sure that you are comfortable with
others there.

Find a gym with hours that suite your schedule; I only workout at gym that are open 24hours. I may get the urge to workout at 6am or at 2 am depending on my schedule. When I am away from home I always select a gym where I can workout when there is not much of a crowd. Many people enjoy the meat market atmosphere of some gyms which double as pickup places. I prefer to go to the red-light district to find one-night-stands. (Just joking) Even these meat markets are empty at 2 am that’s when I can have a quick un-interrupted workout.

Lastly, if you have children consider a gym with babysitting services a lot of gyms have them now so ask around you will be amazed how this service can make your day. You will pay through the nose for this service, but you will be able to see your child or at least reach him or her within seconds if needed. I’ve have always had someone at home to watch my children but for many single parents this is an value added service that makes a lot of difference in which gym to select.