What should you look for in a gym before paying for a year?

Visit at the time you would actually train, not at a quiet hour. Check whether the equipment you plan to use is available then or whether there is a queue for every rack. Look at whether the free weight area is maintained and whether staff correct dangerous technique or ignore it. Ask about the actual terms — freeze options, transfer, and what happens if you are travelling — and get them in writing rather than accepting a verbal promise. Annual payment discounts are only a saving if you go, and most people overestimate how often they will.