I’m happy with my current WEIGHT but the disposition of in on my nerdly body isn’t ideal (I’d like thinner thighs and a flatter tummy.). Is there somewhere online that has a comparison of chains of health clubs? I’m in the midwest and haven’t exercised since school so I am out of touch with the gym scene. I know of Fitness USA and Lifetime Fitness but I’d like a one-stop shop to see rates, reccommendations, clientelle (geriatric?
Twentysomething hotties:) 
:eek: ), etc. Or at least reccomendations/comments from the peanut galleria.
Here is the most important piece of advice that I, as a gym rat, can tell you. The best gym is one you will go to. If it isn’t convenient you won’t go. So it will be as waste.
Otherwise check out things like, equipment maintenence and crowds. If it is always crowded when you need to go is it worth it?
I live in Chicago and love Balley’s simply as for my schedule it isn’t crowded. (yes certain times in Balleys are bad but not my times)
Most gyms will give you a week membership to try them out. USE IT.
Again I can’t stress this, if it isn’t convenient you won’t do it.
What Markxxx said.
I did go regularly to a gym on my way to work, but let my membership lapse, for a few reasons. This summer I joined a much nicer, much cheaper place, which had all the facilities I wanted, I knew several people who went and it had good enthusiastic staff. However, it’s not convenient to get to, so I’ve hardly been. A couplke of weeks ago, I joined a much more basic place, which is walking distance from home and convenient to get to work from. I’m now training 4 days a week.
After location, the next thing for me is finding someone to train with. It’s a better motivator than any amount of fancy-schmancy equipment.
Additionally, facilities can vary a great deal between gyms belonging to the same chain.
Decide when you are most likely to go and find the nearest 2-3 gyms to wherever you usually are at that point in time. Checkthem out, ask for a trial membership. If all things are equal go with the nearest.
I go to Lifetime Fitness. I picked Lifetime over the local YMCA because Lifetime is open 24/7. I can workout later at night when it isn’t so crowded.