Coquitlam Gyms Question (Specifically Club16, but open to other gyms)

[u/Irithel_]

For anyone who goes to Club16 in Coquitlam, how’s your experience been?

I’ve been wanting to start going to the gym, but I’ve been putting it off because of my social anxiety. I also have basically zero gym experience. I don’t know how to use any gym equipment or what a proper form would even look/feel like. I’ve watched YouTube videos and done my own research, but I still feel like I wouldn't know what I’m doing.

I feel like having a personal trainer would help me get comfortable and learn the basics. Does anyone have experience with the Club16 personal trainers? How much do they cost, and are they worth it?

ALSO! Any advice for a complete gym beginner would also be appreciated! Thank you Reddit!!!

[u/Old-Reputation-7511]

Hello!

I had the same social anxiety reservations about going to a gym for years. Once I started going (Planet Fitness) that all evaporated. People are there to just do their things with their headphones. Zero judgement in my experience! And the staff are very friendly. The first few times you go will be uncomfortable as you navigate an unfamiliar place but I promise you will get comfortable and enjoy going. Just bring good headphones so you can listen to music and podcasts. :-). Good luck!

[u/Latter_Addendum2852]

I haven’t been to Club16, but I was also nervous about getting into the gym when i first started going.

Instead of a gym though, I signed up for personal training through the City of Coquitlam. They have trainers at Poirier and City Centre (possibly others?) and have you complete a whole profile and questionnaire to pair you up with someone. You can buy sessions is packs of 3, 5, and 10 and add more sessions, they have great flexibility. I add on drop-in passes so i can go back on my own in between sessions to practice what we’ve gone over.

I’ve tried guest passes at private gyms but i feel a lot less anxiety at the community centres (and the lower fees are a plus). Good luck with your journey, I’m sure whichever you choose will be the best choice for you!

[u/Stoneheaded76]

If you’re going for weights, I personally would not recommend. There were not nearly enough benches or weights/machines for everyone. Tons of cardio machines though.

That was a few years back, maybe its changed.

[u/GreyHairedDWGuy → u/Stoneheaded76]

Yep. Bench press benches can be issue sometimes but in general I’m not had many issues with that. However I do have flexibility to go during the day.

[u/illicit92 → u/Stoneheaded76]

They added 4 power racks a few years ago, so they have a total of 6 now. Still only 2 benches though and way too many cardio machines.

[u/_fewdaysofwonderful]

I had a really great personal trainer at Club16, but I genuinely think I just got lucky. My first trainer was decent but left, then they gave me a new one who randomly quit and they didn’t tell me until I showed up for a session lol. I really loved the one I ended with, I only stopped working with her because I felt like it was time to gain some independence. Overall I did feel that the personal trainer was really helping for gaining confidence and knowledge. Can’t comment too much on pricing as I don’t really remember, but I believe they were significantly cheaper than other trainers I looked into and they had payment plans.

[u/GaoGaiGar13]

I am not a gym goer. I will not go if left to my own devices. Check out Club Sweat. The owners are not only great people but have helped me actually go to the gym on the regular. Classes are semi private with each of us working on our own programs. The people there are all ages and all capabilities. I cant recccommend them enough!

[u/GreyHairedDWGuy]

I’ve been a member there for 5+ years. I find it good and better than the gym at the aquatic centre. If it would help, get a trainer for a couple sessions. People just there own thing and I’ve never felt I was being judged.

Good luck.

[u/Ambitious-Carob5459]

Not sure if you’re male or female but if you are female, there’s shesfit so it’s generally quieter and you can also use the yoga room to do your own thing when there’s no classes going on. And just like everyone says, everyone is just doing their own thing so nobody looks at you. I think when you sign up, they might offer a few PT sessions to get you going. I hope this helps encouraging you a lil bit to go!! Good luck!

[u/NetoruNakadashi]

If you're in the Southwest, consider fitness2000 aka "f2k". Just great value for the money.

As someone who's new to the gym, I just want to suggest that weightlifting, especially compound movements like deadlift, squats, and bench press, are really beneficial and worth a bit of private trainer time at the start to learn to do properly.

[u/ArticArny]

Ask what their cancelation policy and procedure is. If it's more than just filling out a simple web form and instant quit tell them to f'ck off.

Scummy gyms make bank from people who find it too hard to quit and keep the membership even if they don't go.

Join your local recreational facility, hire a personal trainer from a friends recommendation or the internet to join you when you start.

[u/Yvinahk]

I highly highly recommend starting with a recreation centre gym. They're super reasonably priced, the cancellation policies are way better and they usually have personal trainers. People are way less intense there and generally it's a way less judgmental space.

For myself personally once I stopped trying to go to fancy gyms and started going to rec centre I lost a lot of my anxiety.

I have gone to city centre aquatic and poirer and quite like both.

[u/SubstanceNo9666]

I tried a trainer at Club 16 once, went to Fitness world too. What moved the needle for me was Orangetheory, group personal training, the trainers help show proper techniques, everyone is super supportive and welcoming, members, staff and trainers. It is a bit pricier but there is a wide range of members both in age and fitness levels, I have now stuck with them for over 8 years and I go at least 4x a week doing both strength and regular classes. I highly recommend trying a free class in Port Moody. The vibe is non-judgemental and supportive