|
Tips on Selecting a
Health Club
Set Goals.
The person needs to sit down and think about what his or her goals are and what his or her health history is, then pick a gym that fits that description. Not all clubs are set up to handle people who have lower back pain, heart problems or diabetes.
Pick clubs close to you.
It makes it a lot easier to go to the gym when it’s only five minutes away.
Make sure the hours work.
You want a gym you can go to before and after work. The time of day you work out can affect what kinds of people are at the gym, so you’ll want to check that out.
Go to the gym at the time you plan to be there, to see what the crowd is like.
Try it out.
Every reputable gym should offer you a free, one-day pass to check everything out, with no strings attached. While you’re there, check out how many employees are watching the floor. Are most people there personal trainers working with their clients, or are general staff members available if you have a question or run into trouble?
Ask about child care, if you need it.
There might be times you’ll be able to work out, but will have your child or children with you. That shouldn’t be an excuse not to go. Many large clubs have babysitting areas or supervised kids areas you can use for an extra charge.
Is the club clean and in good repair?
Check pads for cracks, machines for rust and dust and aerobic areas for cleaning stations that are stocked with disinfectants and sanitizers.
Locker rooms are obvious, but check around the weight machines. If there are dust bunnies around them, they don’t keep it that clean.
It doesn’t have to be brand-new. But if it looks new, it’s being taken care of.
Check employee attitudes.
A lot of people look for good customer service. When you walk into the gym, the workers should have a smile on their faces and know people by name.
Do you fit in?
You’ll stick with your workouts longer if you feel comfortable in the crowd at your new gym. When you walk in, look at who is working out: Are they like you in terms of age, fitness, dress? You’ll probably feel at home if there is a wide variety of people or if most folks are like you.
Look for different equipment.
You want a gym with a variety of free weights as well as equipment. Most people will start with machines for strength training because they’re easier to learn and safer to use, then they’ll graduate to free weights. The same goes for aerobic machines such as bikes, treadmills, elliptical trainers and steppers.
Gyms that have a variety of machines are a plus. Anything that can offer a person a
variety of options.
It gives you a better workout and guarantees you won’t burn out on a single exercise.
Lots of classes equal lots of opportunities.
A variety of classes are not only good for you, they’re a good way to stay excited about your workout.
Some clubs offer team training, too. Team training is a good way to stay motivated
as you work out.
Watch for certifications.
Certifications don’t guarantee that fitness club employees are good trainers, but at least they indicate the trainers have sought extra knowledge about their field and acquired some solid training in the fundamentals. Names to look for: the American College of Sports Medicine, National Academy of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association and American Council on Exercise. Often their certifications will go by just their acronyms.
Are classes included?
Ask the staff what services are in your basic membership and what’s going to cost you extra and how much.
What other services do members get?
Many clubs offer free fitness evaluations, screening, orientations and even some customized fitness programs to new clients. You might not hear about them unless you ask.
Avoid contracts.
Our experts agreed that long-term gym contracts are becoming less common, a change they liked. Look for a club that will do short-term contracts or no contracts at all. Now many clubs allow you to pay with an ongoing monthly subscription and let you cancel your membership any time, with a certain amount of notice.
Ask for a better deal.
Many clubs offer discount programs if you work out only at particular times or on a set number of days —and with the economy the way it is, we’re all going to be looking for those kinds of options.
> Return to Newsletter |
