Choosing A Fitness Club That You'll Actually Use
by Edaline Peebles
http://www.fitnessr.com
Joining a health and fitness club can be a fun way to make
sure that you get the exercise that you need to stay fit and
healthy. Making the most of your resolution to get fit means
finding the right club for you, though. A fitness club will
do you no good if you don't use it, so making sure that the
club you join is the one that you'll visit often is one of
the most important decisions that you'll make.
There are all sorts of health and fitness clubs for you to
choose from. They range from the local boxer's gym to swank
luxury clubs with juice bars and fitness spas. They may be
located in a plaza, a mall, an office building or a
freestanding building. Choosing one that's a good fit for
you can make the difference in whether you get the most out
of your resolve to exercise, or waste your money on a
membership you never use. Here's a checklist of questions to
help you pick a club that you'll use regularly.
Is the fitness club's location convenient for you? There are
enough excuses not to go work out without adding 'It's too
far to drive today' to the list. Many people find that a gym
near the office is a great choice because it lets them fit
in workouts before or after work, or during lunch.
Is everything clean? No one expects a gym to be spotless,
but sanitation can be a concern. You'll be putting your
hands on those bars and walking around in those shower
rooms. Give the place the sniff test. There's an obvious
difference between the smell of healthy sweat and dirt. An
underlying scent of disinfectant is a good sign.
Is the atmosphere congenial? This can have as much to do
with the gym's clientele as it does with the staff. Ask for
a couple of guest passes and visit to make sure that you'll
feel comfortable there. If you feel out of place, chances
are you'll avoid showing up to exercise.
Are you looking for a fitness club for your whole family?
The requirements in a fitness club for just you are
considerably different than those you'll want if you're
looking for a family membership. Is there a wide variety of
age appropriate activities? Is the staff comfortable and
trained to work with children of your kids' ages? Will a
family membership save you money? What kind of restrictions
are there on use of equipment for your children?
Are extra amenities convenient for you? A fitness club that
offers child care may seem like a busy mother's dream - drop
the kids in the gym and go work out. It doesn't mean
anything if it's not available when you need it, though.
Make sure that amenities and programs that interest you are
scheduled for times that are convenient.
Do they offer the activities that you want or need? The more
activities and options there are for recreation the more
likely it is that you'll get out there and use that
membership. Look especially for the healthiest options for
you. Having choices like low-impact aerobics or water
aerobics can make a big difference if you have arthritis or
joint problems, for instance.
Is there enough equipment to go around? Visit the fitness
club during the hours that you'll be most likely to use it
to find out just how crowded it is. Long waits to use
popular equipment can be discouraging.
What kind of deal can you get on membership? You can almost
always get some kind of special deal or discount on
membership. Find out if your health insurance or employer
have a special arrangement with a local gym, and check them
out first. Other options include 2-for-1 memberships, extra
months or lower rates for longer terms of membership and
introductory offers. If you shop around a bit, you can find
a fitness club you love at a price you can afford.
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