I like this subject. <nodding>
I've been a real ho when it comes to gyms. Four months here, six months there. Did the Y thing (my favorite overall actually), the 'women's fitness center ' thing (hated it), a health club - which was close to a spa/social experience, I'll share more if you ask, and a bodybuilder-no-frills-weight gym.
Things to watch for:
*What are you actually gonna use? No point paying more if you won't use half of the stuff
*Locked contracts. Seriously boom, a decent club should let you contract for a few months rather than a year or more. The rest is cons. Forget their 'deals'. If you like it after a few months, then you can sign up for more.
*Clientelle - just check if you want to be around those type of people, when the heavy flows of traffic are where you will be using
* Staff - are they aholes and do you need assistance or no?
Can't offer a thing as far as Mo goes.
As far as "Kathy" though...do you think you could handle being around her that much?
Motivation is easy if you block the time and have something there that excites you. Like, the Y here has a climbing wall and a pool. My temptations in winter. So it's easy...and after the workout, I meet up for coffee with a friend. It becomes routine once the snow falls.
I tried several workout buddies and all drove me crazy. Not-as-fit as me was always whining and bailing, or asking for help (I don't mind that except I was not getting my workouts in when I went with her).
More-fit-than me was getting annoyed with me bc I couldn't spot a lot of his routine.
anyhoo...yeah.