Even though there are tens of thousands of gyms across North America, most can be separated into three categories – health spas, hardcore bodybuilding gyms, and middle of the road fitness gyms. As they all have their advantages and disadvantages, a few words on each are needed.

The fluffy health spa:

We doubt that many readers will workout at a health spa, but they’re out there so we should briefly discuss them. Health spa’s tend to cater to rich, high-end clients. If you have the cash, fine, but keep in mind that health spa’s are more image than substance. The equipment tends to be limited and the clientele aloof and elitist at times. You won’t find any serious bodybuilders at health spas. For one thing the free weight section will consist of a few chrome-platted dumbells. Most won’t have barbells or racks. Chalk is not allowed as it “dirts up” the floor. And to be honest most health spa’s try to keep bodybuilders away as all it takes is one guy doing a set of heavy deadlifts and the rest of the members get intimidated. Unless you have no other options, give fluffy health spas a pass.

Hardcore gyms for hardcore training:

At the other end of the spectrum we have hardcore bodybuilding gyms. They attract the complete opposite type of clientele as health spas. The vast majority of members in hardcore gyms are males who take their training and bodybuilding seriously. You won’t find much chrome or fluffiness inside these types of gyms. The free weight section will be extensive and at least one or two lines of strength machines will be present. Where hardcore gyms may be lacking is in cardio machines. But then most hardcore male bodybuilders try to avoid cardio (even though they shouldn’t!). We should add that if your ultimate goal is competitive bodybuilding, you just can’t beat the atmosphere and knowledge you’ll find at hardcore gyms. For those who are more middle of the road, however, you may find the atmosphere too intense. It takes a while to get accustomed to 250-pound guys with 2 percent body fat, bench-pressing 500+ pounds.  

Seeking a middle ground:

For those who find health spa’s too fluffy and hardcore gyms too intense, you’ll probably get your best workouts in what are commonly called fitness centers. These multifaceted training establishments try to cater to the masses. Even the formerly hardcore gyms such as Gold’s Gym and World Gym, have drifted towards the middle. The reason being is that there are only so many hardcore bodybuilders in a given population.

Fitness centers have large strength training sections loaded with both free weights and strength machines. They also have large cardio areas filled with the latest in such cardio equipment as treadmills, cycles, and Stairmasters. For those who like aerobics classes there will be one or more multipurpose cardio rooms. The bigger fitness center will also have a pool and perhaps an indoor running track.

The nice thing about fitness centers is that they have something for everyone. It’s almost like a high school in that there are cliques everywhere. You’ll have the bodybuilders hanging out in the free weight section talking about the latest bodybuilding contest, the fitness babes on the cardio machines or in aerobics class, and the general fitness members wandering all over. And for the most part, everyone seems to get along. And because of their large number of members, the prices tend to be the best of the three.

So which one?