I believe you're all pretty bright (you're giving my page thousands of hits every day, so you've GOT to be! :-)), so those should be a given. At least the two first ones.
Let's focus on the REAL issue - does the gym measure up to your needs? Can you get a good, brutal workout here?
Atmosphere
If you're a hardcore gymrat, and the front desk is pink, the music playing is N'Sync, and the dumbbells are covered with soft, purple neoprene to spare the hands, you'll probably feel a wee bit out of place when doing your 400 lbs squats, if you can find enough plates to come up with 400 lbs. If there's a barbell hidden somewhere among the "Butt-Master" machines, that is.
Likewise, if you don't take pride in throwing up after training legs, have a regular 8-set routine for forearms alone, or enjoy 16 raw egg whites for breakfast every morning, you probably won't appreciate the dark dungeon where masochism is the standard and sweating blood is the only true sign of a productive workout.
It all boils down to who you are, and where you feel at home. If you stick out like a sore thumb and feel awkward about it, you're not going to be very motivated to go there at all.
Equipment
The next big, crucial issue is the equipment. Regardless of which category you belong to in the question above, you want to make sure that you have a nice selection of both free weights and machines:
- Dumbbells from 2 to 160 lbs, in 2-3 lb intervals up until 20 lbs, and then 5 lb intervals after that.
- At least 2 sturdy squat racks with plenty of weight plates easily accessible. You don't want to lug those 100 lb. plates around more than necessary.
- Plenty of adjustable benches.
- Enough barbells and plates to make sure you won't have to wait forever when it's crowded.
- Several cable pulleys (both upper and lower) with a variety of ropes and handles.
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