Keep Cool, L'Orange Bleue, Fitness Park, Basic Fit, WellNess, Vita Liberté or Neoness, there are many brands of fitness centers in France. But then, which gym to choose ? Discover the different elements to compare to make the best decision and reach your goals.
The location
Your fitness room must be easy to access. If not, you may quickly lose motivation and prefer the couch to the workout.
Choose a gym near your home or workplace.
If you travel a lot, choose a brand that has a large network of clubs throughout France.
Opening hours
Also remember to check the opening schedule of the gym. Schedules must be in accordance with your schedule.
If early morning is the only time available in your day to work out, choose a fitness club that opens at 6 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.
The presence of sports coaches
Most of the gyms offer sessions of personalized coaching. This is, for example, the case of Orange Bleue, Fitness Park or Basic Fit.
A qualified sports coach will accompany you with a training program adapted to your needs and a dietary follow-up. If you are new to fitness or weight training, this is the best way to improve your physical condition.
Group classes
Cardio-training, muscle strengthening, zumba, spinning, abs and buttocks, body pump, yoga, pilates or stretching, fitness centers do not lack imagination to offer sports class to their members with certified teachers.
Before finalizing your registration, don't forget to check the fitness class schedule!
The material
The sports equipment available in the club should be varied enough to allow you to perform your physical exercises.
Whether you want to gain muscle mass or lose weight, your gym must have at least :
- guided weight training equipment
- free weights with benches and dumbbells
- a cardio area, with treadmills, rowing machines and elliptical bikes
To go further, brands such as Fitness Park are equipped with crossfit and cross training equipment.
There are also independent rooms that offer high quality equipment. This is, for example, the case of Training Go in Montpellier.
Finally, some high-end clubs offer their clients a relaxation area with a swimming pool, a hammam or a sauna.
The atmosphere
To find out which gym to choose, don't hesitate to do a trial session.
This is the best way to familiarize yourself with the new environment. You will spend several hours a week there, so it is essential that there is a good atmosphere.
You prefer to train at home? Check out how to create your own home gym.
Rates and conditions
The rates and conditions of membership are the last criteria to be considered.
For smaller budgets, Basic Fit offers a low-cost subscription at 19.99 € per 4 weeks. On its side, Neoness has a formula at 15 € per 4 weeks, only in off-peak hours, from Monday to Friday.
Some sports clubs also have no-commitment packages, which are more expensive but less restrictive.
It's up to you to compare subscriptions and select the option that's best for you.
