Hitting the gym after age 50? Some tips on making your workout work for you.

Exercise is good for everyone, and it’s especially beneficial as we age. It can help control risk factors for heart disease, prevent falls and boost brain health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two days of activities that strengthen muscles each week. If you’re 65 or older, the CDC recommends adding activities to improve balance.

There are many ways to keep your heart pumping and your muscles strong, but for some people, joining gyms or fitness centers is a great way to get your steps and reps in. They typically have a variety of equipment. They’re climate-controlled so you can exercise no matter how miserable the weather is. And making sure that monthly fee isn’t going to waste can be a powerful motivator.

Going to a gym can help you focus, said Bryant Johnson, a personal trainer whose clients included Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“It gets you out of that rut,” he says. “The TV’s not there. You don’t have the couch, the kids, the distractions that are going to stop you.”

Choosing the right facility is key to ensure your workout works for you. Your choices will be influenced by your individual needs and preferences, including your budget, your fitness level — which ranges widely in people over 50 — and what kind of workout you want.

Here are some factors to consider.

The atmosphere. Do you see people who are your age and at your fitness level? Is the staff friendly? Do you like the music that’s playing? The more you enjoy being there, the more likely you’ll go on a regular basis. Gyms cater to different types of patrons, said Brad Schoenfeld, professor in exercise science at CUNY Lehman College in New York. “Visit the gym and take note of the environment,” he says. “Make sure it is consistent with a place you’d be comfortable working out.”

Take a tour at the time of day when you expect to be there. Some experts say proximity is also important: No matter how nice the amenities or the people, a longer drive could make it more tempting to skip workouts on a bad day. Take advantage of any trial periods that are offered.

Some chains including Crunch Fitness and Workout Anytime have encouraged older adults to join through partnerships with programs like SilverSneakers and Silver & Fit, which provide benefits including free or low-cost gym memberships through certain Medicare Advantage policies.

Your fitness level and health. If you’re no stranger to exercise, a no-frills gym may work just fine. If you’re newer to working out, resuming exercise after a long hiatus or struggling with mobility or health troubles, you might want to choose something with more amenities, programs and hands-on assistance. A hospital-based wellness center could be a good choice, says Andrew Walker, health and well-being director at the National Senior Games Association. Whatever facility you choose, be sure the staff there can explain how to use equipment you’re not familiar with so you can avoid injury and reap the most benefit from the workout.

The exercise you need and want. Many experts agree strength training is extremely important as we get older to reduce age-related muscle loss that can eventually lead to health and mobility problems and increase fall risk. It can also strengthen bones, lowering the risk of breaking them due to osteoporosis. Many gyms have a wide variety of free weights and weight machines.

If your budget allows, you may want to choose a facility that offers extras like a pool — swimming is a healthy form of exercise with low injury rates — or yoga, which studies have shown can have positive effects on cellular aging, mobility, balance, mental health and preventing cognitive decline. Just don’t skip the basics. “You need to do weight bearing exercises,” Johnson stresses.

Although not crucial, classes can be helpful. “I personally love classes. When I walk into a class, I put my phone to the side and I don’t see it again. I am 200 percent focused on what I am doing in that class. The energy of a lot of people doing the same thing and going through the same challenge can be very motivating,” says Lorraine Ladish, co-founder and publisher of the VivaFifty website and a yoga instructor.

Tailored programs. Many YMCAs have specific offerings for guests in their later decades, including chair yoga, tai chi — which helps boost balance and stability — and Enhance Fitness, a program that combines exercise, arthritis management and fall prevention. Life Time Fitness' Arora has classes designed for 55+ members as well as social activities like coffee clubs.

Hiring a trainer. You should know how to correctly use the equipment. A personal trainer can be helpful when you’re first starting or taking your regimen to a more difficult level, because they can make sure you are using the proper form that’s crucial to prevent injury and make the most of your sessions. Trainers aren’t cheap, however. Ladish suggests looking for a gym that offers flexibility in the number of sessions you have to pay for. Some gyms also offer less expensive group training sessions.

Look for someone with the right experience. See if your trainer has certification from a credible organization such as the International Sports Sciences Association, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the American College of Sports Medicine and National Academy of Sports Medicine. Just like choosing the gym, selecting a trainer is a personal choice. Interview a few. Ask them about their experience working with someone in your age group. You can even request references, Johnson advises.

Once you find a place that offers comfort, convenience and programs that are challenging but safe, start getting into a routine, and watch the benefits start to stack up in your body and your brain.