Sports & recreation

24hr Gyms.

Sports & recreation

Posted by: nugget

9th Apr 2010 04:44pm

24hr gyms...I'm not sold.

Does the lack of assistance, minimal equipment and flexible hours really appeal to the masses? Realise it is really cheap and yes, open at all hours (how many people honestly work out at 1am?) but unless you know what you are doing i.e have a work-out program/know how to use the equipment, I don't think these gyms are much good compared to a regular gym. If you go in there just to use the treadmill for an hour, get outside where you'll actually use the leg muscles.

What are your thoughts? What are the main reasons you would go to a 24hr gym - anything else apart from the above stated?

Why wouldn't you use a 'regular' gym? What improvements would you want to see?


Comments 14

Anonymous
  • 10th Aug 2012 04:54pm

I personally don't like the 24hr gyms, and, as you stated, who wants to work out at 2am?!?! The regular gyms are better in my opinion, as the staff are more friendly and alert, and most if the time, the facilities are better too!
Although, even if I wouldn't, I bet there are people out there who like the 24hr gyms, as they can stay there for as long as they want, not having to worry about closing times.

amar93
  • 19th Jul 2012 07:42am

it makes no sense,better to work out ocassionaly but consistently at the same time

R13117
  • 25th Mar 2011 10:09am

I'm a member of a 24 hour gym and love it. I go 2-3 times a week. Whilst I don't go at obsecure times of the day, it works well for my family, as it's cheap and we can actually afford to be members. We did not sign up looking for assistance, we just wanted a place we could go to for weights and cardio. I personally don't like to be bothered whilst training, so it works well for me. Nonetheless I can see points from the above discussion. I just think it's not for everyone but a good idea nonetheless, especially since my gym is pretty much opposite a hospital with shift workers.

Anonymous
  • 19th Feb 2011 11:36am

i think in a big city its a good idea because you have so many people in different schedules. it might mean coming to the gym during the day (making this compulsory) for a session so you can learn how to use all the machines. then you will be free to work out whenever it suits you.

Anonymous
  • 11th Feb 2011 06:28pm

I find it strange! Why do people need to work out at 4am? I understand shift workers, but surely thats a minority and not enough to keep these gyms alive?

rustyoz
  • 30th Nov 2010 11:17pm

I think that for people who work shift work when you come off shift you normally like to relax or take time for your self so a gym is sometimes a great option especially if you have had a horrible frustrating day and need to take it out Gym is a great option.

Also for parents who have young children it is great as the normal hours of 6am -6pm aren't always convenient. I know that some gyms have a child minding facility but sometimes you just want to have time to your self so to be able to leave your child at home with your partner and go to the gym at your leisure is great.

24hr gym is a huge YES from me.

WitchyMage
  • 19th Oct 2010 06:31pm

I don't think the 24 hour gyms are meant for everyone. It seems more for a special group of people. Perhaps some people need assistance (myself included), but there are people who do know what they are doing and actually require the services to be open at irregular hours to suit their lifestyle (running at 1am on the streets is a little shady). People who don't know what they are doing and don't know how to operate the machine should obviously not consider this option, regardless as they may hurt themselves.

Just because we don't need this service doesn't mean others don't either.

cazter
  • 19th Aug 2010 04:36pm

Some of the instructors are only training for 8 weeks (an intense course) or online by correspondence. These people aren't getting the practical experience which is so important.

That's why a TAFE Fitness Instructor Cert III course is so well regarded - first of all it goes for 6 months and there are heaps of practical and theory assessments in all.

The Cert IV course for Personal Trainer is also six months and trust me, there are many practical components in it!

cazter
  • 5th Aug 2010 09:18am

I don't agree with the 24hr gyms. Not too many gym goers actually know what they are doing and they do need supervision.

I'm a fitness instructor studying to be a personal trainer and have been using a trial period at one of the local day time gyms which use Nautilus equipment. One of the machines, I could not work out how to use and had to ask one of the personal trainers there.

Gyms need to be supervised at all times they are open.

nugget
  • 19th Aug 2010 02:04pm
Do gyms with instructors actually have the instructors offering advice though? I thought that they want to provide programs (which are paid for) and then people are basically on their own once...

I'd like to hope that the trainers in the gym know how to use the equipment or at least give minimal advice on how many sets/reps a person needs to do on a machine? Maybe not.. maybe i'm just wishful thinking and everyone wants money for their time these days :)

although i have been told that most trainers in the gym have no idea about how to correctly use the machines themselves so maybe it is just wishful thinking!!

cazter
  • 18th Aug 2010 06:35pm
my thoughts exactly cazter.

do you think people who sign up to the 24/7 gyms will eventually work this out and realise that they aren't getting the most benefits that they could from...

Do gyms with instructors actually have the instructors offering advice though? I thought that they want to provide programs (which are paid for) and then people are basically on their own once again?

nugget
  • 18th Aug 2010 02:10pm
I don't agree with the 24hr gyms. Not too many gym goers actually know what they are doing and they do need supervision.

I'm a fitness instructor studying to be a personal trainer and...

my thoughts exactly cazter.

do you think people who sign up to the 24/7 gyms will eventually work this out and realise that they aren't getting the most benefits that they could from going to a gym with instructors, and having someone offering advice/help with certain exercises?

Frank Yates
  • 6th May 2010 09:25pm

All right for shift workers. But I think they are a flash in the pan, unless they are offering more than a cheap gym like an all night bar or Cafe set up. Might be an interseting meeting place, Who knows At 1 Am All I want is Bed!!! 12 -14 hour shifts do that to you.

nugget
  • 18th Aug 2010 02:20pm
All right for shift workers. But I think they are a flash in the pan, unless they are offering more than a cheap gym like an all night bar or Cafe set up. Might be an interseting meeting place, Who...

Hi Frank,

Sorry for delayed response!!
So are you a shift worker? Do you find these gyms appealing then even after you've worked a long shift and you say finish at 6pm, have a snooze then would you want to go to the gym?

Cafe would be a good idea to form a bit of a community within the gym.. or any gym really. I wonder why gyms don't already have this attached!

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