Your good gym guide

The bottomline comes first. But you need to know what you are looking for.

8226; PRICE: The bottomline comes first. But you need to know what you are looking for. Is it a club to socialise or do you mean business? Being a regular takes some inspiration. And a place that inspires you enough deserves some stretching of budget.

8226; LOCATION: Yes, a place that8217;s on the way is helpful, for excuses fly thick and fast when it comes to skipping gym. But don8217;t settle for a hole in the wall because it is close. Keep in mind the following before you decide.

8226; TIMING: Are you a morning person? Or are you at your best in the evenings? Or do you just like to work out your frustrations after a long day at work? The best is a place that8217;s open for long hours, so it can accommodate you anytime.

8226; INFRASTRUCTURE: 8220;There are basically three kinds of exercises8212;cardiovascular, muscular-conditioning and calisthenics. Any good gym will have quality equipment for these,8221; says Satish Mehta, health club manager, ITC Maurya Sheraton, Delhi. But make sure the equipment is in good condition. The place should be spacious and clean. Exercise mats are the best indicator. And see if they have some good music too.

8226; CROWD: This depends on your personality. Are you a bubbly extrovert? Or you prefer some peace and quiet to focus? Check out the gym in the hours when you plan to go. Incidentally, at any point, there should not be such a press that you have to fight for equipment.

8226; BASIC CHECK-UP: A good gym should keep in mind your medical history and keep regular reports on your progress. The better ones subject you to a battery of tests of their own. 8220;We do a body analysis in a machine, which shows fat, muscle and water distribution. There8217;s also a fitness and a cardio test,8221; says Manoj K Sharma, Sr instructor in Delhi8217;s hotel Shangri-La.

8226; TRAINER: This is the person who can make or mar your health8212;both physical and mental. First thing is qualification8212;something all neighbourhood gyms don8217;t take into account. The basic is a good degree in physical education from a reputed university. 8220;Additional qualifications like a fitness course from Reebok or a diploma in diet and nutrition also helps,8221; says Sumit Bakshi, health club manager, Hotel Crown Plaza, Delhi. There are certain factors that make some trainers better than the others. You need to be comfortable with your trainer. Then comes the right exercise. Everything needn8217;t work for everyone. It8217;s for a good trainer to spot your weaknesses and strengths and work on them. The order in which you exercise is another important factor. Most importantly, check out how many trainers are there for how many people.

DON8217;T BE A GYM JERK

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Yes, manners matter. Even at a place people go to sweat. So do you know your gym etiquettes? Or will you be voted the most unpopular exercise freak? Here are some of the most unpardonable gym behaviour.

8226; Leaving equipment wet with sweat: It doesn8217;t take much to wipe it off

8226; Hogging equipment after use: Take that phone call outside.

8226; Throwing weights around: If you have finished, put them back where they belong

8226; Warming up in the middle of walkways: Even kindergarten students wouldn8217;t do this

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8226; Interrupting a fellow gymmie mid-set: Wait a while, however urgent the question.

8226; Staring and ogling: It8217;s a public place, but some people like privacy during exercise

8226; Wearing the same unwashed t-shirt: It might be your favourite, but you can8217;t insist that others endure your BO, can you?

8226; Being the know-all: No unsolicited advice to beginners. There are trainers for it.

8226; Grunting loudly: Better to concentrate on your breathing