January 16, 2023

Top 4 Considerations When Choosing a Gym

Learn about the 4 deal-breaking factors to consider when choosing your next best training facility.

With the time of year with resolutions right around the corner, many of you may start looking for a new gym? With so many around nowadays, it can be tough to choose the right one.

But with the right information, it can be easy.

This guide will help you find the perfect gym for your needs.

Whether you're looking for a big box chain or a specialized fitness studio, I am going to help you weigh your options and make the best decision for you.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 4 considerations when joining a gym.

#1 Location

On your quest to choosing a fitness center or gym, location should be one of the most important factors to consider.

After all, if the gym isn't conveniently located, it can be difficult to visit on a regular basis and stick to your fitness routine.

When evaluating potential gyms, it's important to think about everything from the distance you'll need to travel each day, the type of traffic you'll generally encounter, and whether there is adequate parking available.

Whatever your priorities are when it comes to accessibility, choosing a location that works for you will help ensure that you can make the most out of your fitness journey without wasting time.

So whether you need a gym close to home or work or prefer something in between, always keep location front and center when selecting your next workout destination.

#2 Equipment

When choosing a gym, another important factor to consider is its equipment.

After all, if a gym doesn't have the gear that you need for your workouts, then there's really no point in joining it.

So it's important to carefully examine the gym's offerings before committing to a membership.

Some things to look out for include:

· Cardio machines like treadmills, elliptical trainers, and stationary bikes

· Strength training equipment, such as free weights, kettlebells, and resistance machines, (these should be mandatory)

· Functional training equipment, such as TRX straps or rowing machines (optional).

Additionally, you should take into account the size of the facility in terms of both square footage and the number of members. Having a lot of avid gym-goers using popular pieces of equipment means longer wait times for you.

Ultimately, when choosing a gym, it is essential to have access to the gear that you need to achieve your fitness goals.

With this in mind, be sure to carefully assess any prospective gyms in order to find one that fits all your needs.

#3 Sanitation

Another important consideration when looking for your next best training spot is the facility's sanitation and cleanliness.

After all, you don't want to do your workout in a dirty environment where germs are likely to thrive and spread.

A good gym should be immaculately clean, with surfaces wiped down regularly, equipment correctly sanitized every day, and sinks for handwashing conveniently located and loaded with the proper soaps and drying needs.

On top of that, it should have well-functioning air conditioning and air filtration systems in place so that members can feel comfortable exercising in an environment that isn't prone to excessive heat or unpleasant odors.

With all of these factors in mind, anyone looking for a new gym can rest assured knowing that they've considered what is arguably one of the more overlooked, yet important aspects of their health and wellness journey.

#4 Pricing

When it comes to choosing a gym, most people will want (and need) to consider its pricing.

Most expensive, flashy gyms may seem tempting at first, with their state-of-the-art equipment and enticing membership options. However, if you're on a budget or just starting out in your fitness journey, these gyms are often not the best choice.

Instead, opt for a basic gym that offers all the essentials – basics like barbells, dumbbells, and cardio machines – rather than wasting your money on unnecessary extras that you'll probably never use.

Ultimately, by keeping your budget in mind when choosing a gym, you can ensure that you stay committed to a healthy lifestyle while getting great value for money.

So next time you're looking for a new way to get fit and stay healthy, don't get distracted by all the flash and excitement of pricier gyms – instead, choose a basic gym that will give you exactly what you need to reach your fitness goals.

And maybe, a less restrictive environment where you can unleash a grunt or two on your heavier sets.

Final Thoughts

So, how do you choose the right gym for you? It can be tricky with all of the options out there.

But if you keep these four things in mind, you’ll be on your way to finding a fitness home that fits both your budget and your goals.

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Two men are standing next to a medicine ball in a gym.

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What Does Functional Training Actually Mean (If Anything at All)?

May 2, 2025

A Guide from a Personal Trainer in Nashville Functional training originally focused on improving real-life movement patterns like lifting, climbing, and carrying. Today, however, the term is often misused. In this guide, Coach Jim—a leading personal trainer in Nashville —breaks down what functional training really means, clears up common myths, and shows you how to build workouts that truly improve strength, mobility, and everyday performance. The Real Origins of Functional Training Functional training started in rehabilitation settings. Physical therapists needed to help patients regain the ability to perform daily tasks—getting up from chairs, climbing stairs, carrying groceries—safely and independently. From there, the concept moved into strength and conditioning , especially for athletes. Coaches began designing programs that mimicked the movements, speeds, and forces encountered in sport, believing that exercises should reflect the demands athletes face outside the gym. It made sense: real-world movement is multi-planar, integrated, and often performed under load or fatigue. Training that mirrors those challenges better prepares people for life outside the gym—a philosophy I bring to my personal training Nashville programs. Where It Went Wrong Fast forward to today, and "functional training" is so watered down it’s almost meaningless. You'll hear it attached to bootcamps, TikTok trends, and group fitness classes that may or may not have any real connection to improving real-life function . Here’s the problem: ➔ Functional for whom? ➔ Functional for what purpose? A competitive powerlifter needs a different kind of "functional" than a 70-year-old wanting to garden pain-free. A baseball pitcher needs different movement skills than a new mom recovering from back pain. Without context, "functional training" becomes vague, subjective, and often misleading—even for people searching for fitness training in Nashville today. Principles Over Buzzwords Rather than asking is this functional training?, it’s better to ask: Does this follow good training principles? Here’s what matters: Specificity: Does it target the movement patterns, energy systems, and qualities the person needs? Transferability: Will the adaptations carry over to real-world tasks, sports, or injury resilience? Progressive Overload: Is it challenging enough to promote strength and adaptation over time? Movement Quality: Does it reinforce good mechanics, posture, and control? Individualization: Is it tailored to the person’s needs, abilities, and goals? If a program checks these boxes, it's functional —no matter what it’s called. This is the exact approach I use with my Nashville personal training clients —focusing on principles that deliver real-world results, not gimmicks. Common Misconceptions About Functional Training Let’s clear up a few myths that still float around: Myth #1: Machines aren’t functional. Machines can be incredibly useful, especially for early rehab or hypertrophy-focused phases. They allow targeted loading without high stability demands—which can support real-world function depending on how they’re used. Myth #2: More instability = more function. Training on BOSU balls and wobble boards has its place (think ankle rehab or proprioception drills). But constantly destabilizing exercises? Not necessary. Most life (and sports) happens on stable ground. Stable surfaces allow better loading, strength gains, and neuromuscular coordination—what I emphasize in all my personal training Nashville TN programs. Myth #3: Functional training avoids heavy lifting. Quite the opposite. Functional training often involves lifting heavy—because strength matters for almost everyone. Farmers need grip strength. Athletes need power. Older adults need the ability to carry groceries or get off the floor. Load isn’t the problem. Poor application is. So, Should We Keep the Term "Functional Training"? The term can still have value—if it's clearly defined and applied correctly. At its best, it reminds us that training should serve a purpose beyond just aesthetics. It emphasizes integrated movement patterns, core control, joint stability, and real-world carryover—principles central to Nashville fitness training done the right way. But without that context? It's just another buzzword. The smarter move: Zoom in on function for the individual. A mother managing back pain needs different patterns than a CrossFitter chasing PRs. A retiree rehabbing a knee needs different strength work than a semi-pro athlete. Good training doesn’t chase trends. It meets the person where they are—and builds from there. Final Thoughts Functional training started with a powerful goal: ➔ Help people move better , live better , and perform better . But over time, its meaning has been blurred by trends, marketing, and misapplication. Today, smart training isn’t about chasing trends. It's about asking better questions: Is this training functional for the client’s real-world needs?