If you lift weights, where you workout is very important. The right atmosphere is vital. The following clues will help you realize you are in the wrong gym:
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You are surrounded by a bunch of vain, arrogant men and women, who are constantly staring at themselves in the mirrors
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Your gym is jammed with rows of cardio equipment and all kinds of fancy isolating machines but very few free weights
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There are no power-racks, platforms, calf-glute-ham raises, chains or chalk
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When you ask staff a training question they either don’t know or cannot back up what they say with a substantial, scientifically proven answer or site a credible source
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People gawk at you when you do a “floor press” a “box squat” or if you fail or “miss” on a lift
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People keep to themselves, no one is helpful, no one seems positive
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No one seems to know how to “spot” a lift properly
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You get yelled at (yet again) by a class instructor for dropping a dead-lift when your grip gives out or for dropping your power clean
I have had the privilege of visiting some of the top pro-athletic training facilities in the country to learn from the best. I have yet to visit and not break a personal strength record in one or more lifts. There is nothing like hearing the other 17 people in the room loudly yell out their intentions for you to “DRIVE!” up the bar when you are under a heavy weight. This helps to explain the importance of a positively charged room filled with great people. Finally, as long as all of the above points are avoided, try and find a gym where there are plenty of people who are stronger and more knowledgeable than you. You will benefit greatly from what you can learn from these folks.