- Use your free pass from Health
Club Scene to try every aspect of the gym that is important to you, be
it free weights, exercise machines, yoga classes, or the pool and steam
room.
- While you are there make sure the staff is friendly and helpful, and
that instructors are properly certified by any of the following; American
College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, National Strength
& Conditioning Association, or National Academy of Sports Medicine.
- Pay attention to the fitness club members as well, ask yourself "Would
I feel comfortable working out with them?" If the fitness club members do
not suit you, then keep looking.
- All aspects of the fitness club should be clean, in good repair and
pleasing to look at. The pool water should be clear, the weight room should
be well organized, the excercise machines should all be functional. If you
see cloudy water in the pool, or several broken machines, weights on the
floor, move on to a better maintained and run gym.
|
- Once you've found a gym you like, it's time to negotiate. The average
cost of a gym membership nation wide is $55 per month. Veterans, seniors,
and students generally qualify for gym membership discounts.
- Comparison shop, often you can get a gym to match the monthly rate of
another local fitness club, so pay attention to rates, and special fitness
club promotions that may be running at all the gyms you visit. If you have
flexible hours, ask about off-time memberships. Many gyms will let you
utilize off-peak hours at a lower monthly rate.
- You can almost always request that the gym membership fee or initiation
fee be waived or reduced. If the gym won't do it, walk away. Chances are you
won't be allowed out the door before coming to an agreement.
- You should not sign a long-term (over 1 year) contract with your health
club center, and if possible paying month to month is optimal, even if it's
slightly more expensive. Then the gym has to earn your monthly payments.
Never buy a lifetime membership, which is now illegal in most states. If a
facility tries to sell you one, report it to the Better Business Bureau.
- Most states require that gyms let you cancel your membership (either in
writing or in person), without penalty, within 3 days of joining.
|
