The gym has a special significance in the modern society, drawing people who will do anything to stay fit and in shape. The number of gyms has grown immensely over the last few years and the facilities available at these places have also attained a whole new level. They have a constantly growing number of patrons, and the list doesn't just include body builders or sportsmen. People from all age groups and across all sections of society visit gyms to stay healthy and keep their bodies in perfect shape.

However, you should be careful of centres that have come up just to earn a fast buck from the modern craze for fitness, as they can have a negative effect on your health owing to their lack of correct equipment and facilities. Hence it is essential to keep a few key points in mind while picking the correct gym for yourself.

Firstly, the locality of the gym is very important. It is always comfortable if the gym is close to your workplace or home, as having to travel too far can affect your motivation adversely. The overall environment in the gym, which includes the attitude of the staff, the design, air-conditioning etc, must also be considered. Moreover, the place should be spacious and convenient. The equipments and facilities in the gym must be checked before becoming a member as they will directly influence how much you can benefit from the place.

Additional services like steam baths, massage parlours etc are always welcome in a gym. To make sure that children can be taken care of during their parents' exercise stints, some gyms also have day care centres inside their premises.

Gyms with personal training services must always be chosen above those that don't have them. Personal training sessions will look after your individual requirements in terms of a fitness plan and keep you motivated. The personal trainers in the gym should be committed, focused and approachable so that you are able to derive the maximum out of their knowledge.

One last thing to check is that the registration fee of the gym should be affordable and commensurate to the facilities and services that the gym promises. You may go for annual or even longer packages that would significantly cut down your membership fee, but don't fall into the trap of a lock-in period that you are not sure you will use the service for.

In short, your gym must be such that visiting it daily and exercising in it should be a nice and reinvigorating experience for you, and this should be the prime criteria for your decision on the gym.