This may be your choice if there is an facility near you or your place of work.

Factors to consider:

• Cost
  If a gym does not offer a month to month program with no lease don't
  sign up.
  Make use of their Introductory Free Trial period to see if it is a good fit for you and your lifestyle.
  
  
• Hours of operation
  Determine what time of day when you will likely to workout and be sure to visit the facilities at that time, to see just how busy it is. This also applies to the days of the week.
  
  
• Equipment
  - Rows and rows of treadmills are only good
     if you plan on using them.
     If there are medical reasons
     or you simply have no affinity to walking in place.
  - Make sure you don't need an engineering degree,
    or the staff are very approachable.
  - Are they clean and cleaned periodically?
  - Are they functional and with little waiting time.
  -pilates
  
• Clientele
  Will you be comfortable in workout clothes.
  Will you fit in and find it to be a
   supportive environment.
  
  
• Check entire facility not just the floor area.
  - washroom available & clean
  - changing area - secure and sanitary.
  - lockers -secure and accessible.
  
  
• Parking
  Free
  Nearby and secure
  Suited to your hours of workout.
  
  

  Check the area for speciality gyms, hospital or organization facilities.

The key here is to have available, equipment that you will actually use, rather than a collection of clothes racks.

Of course you will have to have room for whatever you end up purchasing.

                    

   Equipment purchase Factors:

• Is adaptable for use by others in the household.
  
• Can you use it for several body areas
   or is its intent for 1 muscle group.
  
• Is there space when it is totally setup
  
• Is it rated for your weight or of others using it.
• Is storage convenient
• WILL YOU USE IT?

Where to Buy it
        New or Used?
There are merits to buying either way.
   New equipment may take a while to assemble
   but there is usually a display model to see
   if you can easily operate any intended purchase.

Zellers carries a line of exercise equipment at low cost and is dependable as well. As does Canadian Tire and WalMart.
Be on the lookout for Specials

  Used equipment litters the basements of our nation.
  There is so much out there that some stores specialize
  in used equipment - Play it Again Sports.

  Spring or summer garage sales may yield expensive,
  hardly used stuff going for $$ instead of $$$$$$$

  Do neighbours, family, friends have unused equipment.

  Check local papers, Internet sources.

  Do not buy equipment blindly,
  research the product and retail prices if at all possible.
 
  Watch out for recalled, unsafe products