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Oh, the gym –– everyone’s favorite frenemy. You want to go, but somehow the excuses not to keep piling up.

No time to drive there. Memberships are expensive with long-term commitments. The machinery is old or poorly-maintained.

Is it any wonder most people abandon their New Year’s Resolutions?

There is an alternative –– having the gym a little closer to home. Or how about, right in your apartment complex?

 

Benefits of an Apartment Gym or Fitness Center

If you don’t have apartment gyms on your list of must-haves in your apartment search, you may want to take another look and reconsider.

Proximity

Perhaps one of the biggest and most obvious perks of apartment gyms? Convenience. It’s a lot harder to say no to lacing up your sneakers when the gym is only a few steps away, as opposed to a few miles.

No Membership Fee

While traditional gyms make all of their money off of charging people a monthly fee (knowing full well that many people will barely use their memberships), apartment fitness centers don’t have a monthly charge hanging over your head. Use the gym as much or as little as you like, guilt-free.

Flexible Hours

Regular gyms normally operate on an early morning to late evening schedule, meaning if your lifestyle doesn’t quite fit within the allotted hours, you’ll miss your prime opportunities to hit the gym, effectively throwing a lot of money down the drain.

 

What to Look for in an Apartment Gym

All gyms are not created equal –– when you hunt around for a great apartment gym, there are a few key things to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting the best option.

Equipment

Whether you’re a yogi, crossfitter, runner, weightlifter, or any other kind of gym-goer, you probably have some specific equipment you’d like to have at the ready when you hit the gym. If bare bones options aren’t going to cut it, keep moving along.

Hours

When does your schedule allow you free time to work out? Are you squeezing in a morning run or prefer to lift weights in the evening?

Know your optimal workout times so that when you’re perusing the apartment gym’s hours, you can make sure you’ll actually be able to get there.

Cleanliness

This is a big one. Even if you’re not a germaphobe, gym cleanliness is important to ensuring that you stay healthy while you’re trying to… stay healthy.

Check for spray bottles, wipes, and paper towels. Inspect the machines to see if they are cared for. Look for signs reminding people to wipe down the machines. See if the people using the equipment are doing their due diligence at the end of their workouts. It might make all the difference.

Newness

Take a peek inside and check out the gym’s equipment. Does it look more than 5 years old? Are there several “Out of order” signs hanging around?

There are a lot of apartment gyms out there that are old and dingy, so take extra care to see that their equipment is up-to-date.

Class Offerings

If you like to make your workouts more of a social experience, classes may be the way to go. Some apartment gyms offer circuit training, Zumba, cardio dance, yoga, or other group fitness classes that can make working out a little more friendly.   

Other Amenities

Do you have other specific requirements you look for in a gym? Don’t forget about them. You may want towels at the ready, or maybe a spin room or post-workout sauna. If you need to podcast-and-run, having machines with Bluetooth may be on your must-have list. Be sure to include them as you scope out different apartment gym options.

Bonus Tip

To make the most out of your apartment fitness center, we recommend hiring a personal trainer. Your trainer can show you how to properly use all the equipment in your fitness center and get you set up a program to achieve your goals. You can find a list of excellent personal trainers in Houston here.        

 

Best Houston Apartment Gyms and Fitness Centers

At Houston Apartment Insiders, we know the ins and outs of apartment options in the Houston area. Based on our knowledge, we think you should take a look at these complexes, which may have the apartment gym you’ve been looking for.

Elan Heights – The Heights

The Elan Heights apartment complex has an on-site fitness center, as well as yoga and spin classes with Fitness on Demand, not to mention a pool courtyard to cool off in after your workout is complete!

The Carter – Montrose

At The Carter, you’ll find a strength and cardio fitness center with Precor equipment, as well as a Flex Fitness yoga room with Myride capabilities.

Market Square Tower – Downtown

Among Market Square Tower’s amenities is a sky gym with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, as well as spa relaxation, steam, sauna, and massage rooms. You could even play around on the indoor basketball court or virtual golf simulator while you’re at it.

Vantage Med Center – Texas Medical Center   

You can find a 3,000-square-foot fitness and workout club at Vantage Med Center, with a yoga studio, outdoor yoga terrace, and sports lawn with outdoor games to boot.

We Can Help!

If all of this seems really overwhelming, fear not –– that’s why we’re here.

Contact Houston Apartment Insiders at 713-581-1055 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with an agent who can help you find the perfect apartment (and apartment gym!) that you’re looking for today.

 

Whether you’re a student away from your hometown, or you’re just stepping out on your own, renting your first apartment is an exciting step—and often a confusing one. For personal, one-on-one help, call or email your Houston apartment locator, Houston Apartment Insiders. We’re here to guide your search, and to answer questions about apartments in general, and Houston-specific issues. The personal-finance magazine Kiplinger has tips on their website, including the article, “Seven Sins of First-Time Renters.” While we don’t think any of these are reasons to feel guilty, they are great guidelines for getting your information together before you rent. Let’s look at each “sin” and add our tips for working around it:

 

1. Underestimating costs

Figuring out how much rent you can afford is important, but that’s only the beginning. To land your first apartment, you’ll probably need to pay an application fee and a security deposit on top of your first month’s rent. When comparing monthly rent prices from apartment to apartment, keep in mind that some will include utilities, parking, and storage spaces in the price of the rent, and some won’t. Make sure you know what you’re getting, and plan for all of your monthly expenses.Kiplinger’s wonderful calculator can help you figure everything in.

 

2. Mixing up wants with needs

When you’re getting your first place, money is likely to be tight. You may not be able to afford your dream home, but you can probably afford to get all of your genuine needs met.

 

3. Not seeing the space before you sign the lease

Kiplinger’s points out that you must see (and measure) the space to be sure your furniture will fit through the door, and you must make sure everything is in working order before you sign a lease. It’s equally important to see, hear, smell, and feel the space before you can be sure you’ll feel at home there. Houston Apartment Insiders can help you set up showings. It’s important to see several apartments, and choose the one that feels best to you.

 

4. Not reading the lease

Your lease may be the first major legal contract you’ve ever signed. Read it, understand it, and if anything in it doesn’t look fair to you, be willing to walk away.

 

5. Not considering utilities

As we said above, utilities costs can make a big difference in your monthly expenses. In most cases, you’ll be responsible for your own phone bill, be it mobile or landline, and cable TV if you want it. Some apartments include these utilities in the cost of your rent: gas, electricity, water, sewer, trash, and internet. Most include only a few of these, and some leave you responsible for all utilities. Find out which ones you’ll pay for before you sign the lease, and don’t forget to call the utility companies and set up service.

 

6. Not getting renter’s insurance

Your landlord is responsible for insuring and maintaining the building, itself, but not your possessions inside. In the case of any disaster, such as a flood, fire, or burglary, you could lose everything unless you’ve got your own insurance.

 

7. Not planning for everything you’ll need to fill your apartment

When moving to your first apartment, you may not have the basics you need to make a home, such as furniture, dishes, flatware, cookware, bedding, and towels.  Be sure to factor the other basics into your budget, too.

 

Do you have more questions? Would you like expert help finding your first apartment? Houston Apartment Insiders is here for you. Call us at 713-581-1055 (866-918-4022 toll free) or contact us online.