Summer and fall are synonymous with a desire to get back into shape. The reception, hygiene, locker rooms and skill of the staff are all elements to take into account when subscribing to a gym.

France-based personal coach Yakisan Cagdas has these five tips to help you find the right fitness center:

1. Infrastructure: Hygiene Above All Else

To verify that the lighting, ventilation, cleanliness and even the quality of the services are up to your standards, ask to visit the gym before making any commitments.

To get an even better feel, ask for a free trial, which any good gym will offer. During the visit, make sure to take the temperature is not too hot or cold for you.

The size and layout should also be taken into consideration. There should be enough space to avoid bumping into someone wherever you turn. In the locker room, hot water should be available. Finally, the toilets can say a lot for the cleanliness of a gym.

2. Trainers

The educational background, preparation and professionalism of the trainers are essential. Of equal importance is their availability. Ask about staffing during the hours you normally use the gym.

Depending on the class at hand, do not hesitate to call on the trainers and their knowledge (they can explain, correct and motivate). For example, a good sports instructor will develop a training program after having evaluated the physical condition of a student and check up on progress with regular evaluations.

3. Facilities and Machines: Balance of Cardio and Weight Training

A well-equipped gym must offer the latest gym technologies. Ideally, cardio training machines (to run, cycle, row, etc.) should represent 50 percent of the equipment; weight-training machines should count for 30 percent, and free weights 20 percent.

A fitness center with 10 cardio training machines should have no less than four treadmills, two indoor bicycles, three step-machines and one rowing machine.

For weight-training, the "big five" is indispensable: leg press, pectoral muscle press, back muscle machine, shoulder press and a lat tower attachment for the upper extremities.

4. Diagnostic Equipment

Gyms should offer appropriate medical equipment to conduct performance evaluation tests, one to measure lung capacity and another to gauge muscular capacity. Determining your body fat, lean body mass and muscle is also key and allows setting more precise goals.

5. Amenities

Make sure to check that the classes offered in your gym reflect the latest trends in fitness. Some fitness centers include swimming pools and saunas, which are ideal for relaxation after a hard work-out. The best gyms often have a bar-restaurant-cafeteria where you can find healthy and fitness-friendly food.