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January is the time of year when local residents start thinking of joining a Harvard gym to help them reach their annual fitness goals. You’ll find there are many ways to get your regular allotment of physical activity in (about 150 minutes a week of moderate / intense exercise) and that there are also plenty of places to do it. These facilities vary in their focus, equipment, size and perks. Here is a rundown of the different types of Harvard gym you may come across in your search.

A Traditional Harvard Gym Provides The Basics.

A traditional Harvard gym will give you free weights, treadmills, stationary bikes, and possibly even a few group fitness classes. There is nothing fancy here, but you can usually sign up with a personal trainer here if you wish. There are weightlifting gyms for men and women’s-only facilities usually. Often hours are standard, with no late-night times available.

A Private Harvard Gym Is Not Open To Everyone.

A private Harvard gym might be run by your employer or an organization you’re affiliated with. For example, universities and athletic teams often have their own exclusive gyms. You may be required to train a certain number of sessions each month and work with a coach in these facilities.

A Public Harvard Gym Is A Budget Option.

A city-owned Harvard gym is a good option for people who can’t afford a traditional or specialty gym. Often they have swimming pools, weight rooms and cardio equipment. Racquetball, handball, tennis and basketball courts may also be available. Some facilities offer dance studios too. However, hours may be limited — and there are no group classes or trainers.

A Specialty Gym Is Smaller And More Intimate.

A smaller, independently-operated Harvard gym usually has a specialty like yoga or fitness boot camp. Some specialty gyms also offer the standard cardio machines and weight rooms to remain competitive with larger public gyms and traditional gyms. Some specialty centers have monthly memberships, while others may offer pay-as-you-go or program sign-ups.

Each type of Harvard gym has its own atmosphere, not to mention its own pros and cons. First, you need to ask yourself what you envision you’ll be doing at the gym. Do you need classes? Are you self-motivated enough to hit the treadmill and weight room consistently on your own? Do you like having more variety? Do you enjoy group classes and interaction with a trainer? Visiting a facility for a tour or a free trial is the best way to decide what is right for you.