Joining a Gym? Read this!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
If you are looking to join a gym, below is a great article with tips to consider big time! Look through all the points & see what is most important to you. If you do not have children & don't intend to have any, childcare may not be important. BUT, if you like to take classes OR you want to hire a personal trainer, then they types & times of classes will be of utmost importance & the certifications of the trainers are key! Also, ALWAYS CHECK OUT THE GYM AT THE TIME YOU PLAN TO WORK OUT. Are the classes and/gym too crowded for you? Especially the classes!!! You don't want to join a gym for specific classes & then find out you can't get in OR you have to be there 30 minutes early to get on a waiting list. Are the crowds going to drive you away? Is the wait for machines & weights too long. Find out what is going on & what you can "live" with.
Also, how clean is the gym. This may be an indicator of other problems if it is dirty or it looks as if they are not keeping up the equipment or cleanliness.
For me, the important things are LOCATION & hours. It has to be close & accessible to my home or for you it may be work if you plan to go right from work. I also like to work out when people are not around so I prefer gyms with LONG hours or a 24 hour gym. And of course, I do check out cleanliness.
Read the tips below & make sure & find out what is important to you. Also, there should be a cancellation clause in your contract if that is the way you go. DO READ THE CONTRACT and check your states laws on cancellation policies.
What You Should Know Before Signing Up for a Gym from Diet Detective
If you are looking to join a gym, below is a great article with tips to consider big time! Look through all the points & see what is most important to you. If you do not have children & don't intend to have any, childcare may not be important. BUT, if you like to take classes OR you want to hire a personal trainer, then they types & times of classes will be of utmost importance & the certifications of the trainers are key! Also, ALWAYS CHECK OUT THE GYM AT THE TIME YOU PLAN TO WORK OUT. Are the classes and/gym too crowded for you? Especially the classes!!! You don't want to join a gym for specific classes & then find out you can't get in OR you have to be there 30 minutes early to get on a waiting list. Are the crowds going to drive you away? Is the wait for machines & weights too long. Find out what is going on & what you can "live" with.Also, how clean is the gym. This may be an indicator of other problems if it is dirty or it looks as if they are not keeping up the equipment or cleanliness.
For me, the important things are LOCATION & hours. It has to be close & accessible to my home or for you it may be work if you plan to go right from work. I also like to work out when people are not around so I prefer gyms with LONG hours or a 24 hour gym. And of course, I do check out cleanliness.
Read the tips below & make sure & find out what is important to you. Also, there should be a cancellation clause in your contract if that is the way you go. DO READ THE CONTRACT and check your states laws on cancellation policies.
What You Should Know Before Signing Up for a Gym from Diet Detective
Thinking about joining a gym? Before handing over your credit card, there are 10 questions you should ask before signing on the dotted line for a gym membership.
- Location, location, location — is the club near by? The fitness club you're looking at may be fabulous in every way — but if it's not conveniently located, you won't go regularly.
- Do the industry's leading associations accredit the facility? Ask if the club is a member of the International Health, Racquet and Sports Association (IHRSA). It's the most respected association in the industry and its member clubs must uphold strict standards in member services and programs.
- What types of fitness classes and programs does the club offer? Look into the variety of classes and programs offered and ask if they're included in the club's monthly membership dues.
- Does your workout schedule coincide with the club's hours? Visit the club a few times during the hours you intend to use it and see how busy the club is. Make sure the machines and classes you like are available.
- Is the fitness staff easily accessible, and what type of support do they offer? Did you know that 25 to 50 percent of people who begin fitness programs drop out due to lack of support from the fitness staff? Find a club where the trainers will approach members who look like they may need help using the machines or perfecting their form.
- Does the club maintain good customer service policies? Staff members should have answers to your inquiries and be able to handles special requests, such as guest passes, placing a membership on hold during an illness or vacation.
- What are the educational backgrounds and certifications of the fitness staff? Trainers should be certified with one of the following: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and/or American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or ACE. Personal trainers or fitness specialists should have an educational background in exercise science, kinesiology, cardiac rehabilitation, biomechanics, and adult physical education.
- Do you feel comfortable in this crowd? Pay attention to the people using the club. Are they similar to you in terms of age, fitness, and attire? You will feel more at ease and are more likely to stick with your fitness plan if there's a very diverse crowd around you or if most people are like you.
- Does the club's overall environment appeal to you? Clubs that provide an atmosphere where you can meet new friends, learn about wellness, and experience new trends in health and fitness will keep you coming back.
- Does the club offer childcare? For an extra charge, more and more fitness clubs are offering babysitting services or supervised kids areas. No babysitter? No excuses!
Have any more questions or words of wisdom. Send them our way!
I am lucky to belong to a terrific gym! Check it out: www GHFC com!
Reply to this
DR. J. YOU ARE LUCKY!!!! I belong to 24 Hour Fitness that I joined in 1982 so the monthly dues work for me & the 24 hour hours. I wish they kept up their equipment better but for now, the price & hours are right!
Reply to this
I have very low dues also since I've been a member for a while. The owner is also a pilot, and we have flown together. He once told me that when he first went into the fitness business, his parents told him he was wasting his life. He went on to say: "Now the whole family works for me."
Reply to this
Dr. J, what a great story! Love it!
Reply to this
Gyms kinda scare me a little bit! I've been a few times with friends, but never could see myself joining one. Isn't that strange?
Thanks for these tips though. Maybe someday I'll take the plunge!
Reply to this
Diane, whatever works for you is what is key! You are doing great on your own for sure!
Reply to this
My gym is nice and clean, but it's really just about the equipment. Since it's located around the corner from my house, I'm not likely to skip workouts too many times.
What's nice about the larger chains (and smaller gyms that belong to a network) is that you can usually get free admission to gyms in other cities.
Reply to this
Cammy, close & good equipment is important. You are right about chains & being able to work out in other cities. Very true!
Reply to this