2torial #0713:
Learn2 Choose a Health Club

Join the club!

Choosing a health club where you'll feel comfortable and the staff and equipment meet your needs is a positive step on the road to physical fitness. But how do clubs compare? What can you expect as a member? Here's what to look for when making this important investment in your long-term well-being.

Obtain a doctor's permission before beginning any new fitness program, especially if you're age 30 or older. It's also wise to choose a club where the staff is trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Simply knowing that capable staff members are on hand if you (or anyone else) gets into trouble can provide valuable peace of mind.

Identify your needs

Health clubs offer a variety of services and an assortment of atmospheres. Your choice may depend upon your previous exercise experience and your interest in certain kinds of sports or fitness routines, or you may choose a club that offers a variety of activities so you can find out what you want to do. Before you start looking for a club, consider your needs in the following areas:

Specific sports. Are you into squash or do you prefer basketball? Do you want a variety of activities available or the very best in one particular sport?

Instruction. Would you like instruction in a new sport or coaching to become more competent in your current sport? Are you looking for aerobics, spin, or yoga classes?

Child care. If you have children, you may need a facility that provides suitable child care or children's programs so that the entire family can go to the gym together.

Special programs. Are you interested in weight control, nutrition, stress management, or one-on-one training? Some clubs provide programs that address these issues.

Special facilities. Do you want a pool (and do you want it to be Olympic size)? Do you want the club to have saunas and hot tubs, and to offer massage?

Hours. Do you need a 24-hour club or special early morning or late night hours? Finding a club whose hours fit your schedule can make it more likely that you'll keep going.

Price. Set a budget and stick to it. Remember that most clubs charge an initiation fee as well as monthly membership dues. Note: Sometimes you can negotiate prices if you're sure you want to join a particular club and you're willing to sign up that day.

Select a few candidates

With your requirements in hand, turn to your phone book to look up local health clubs. Select possible candidates on the basis of their location close to your home or work. Accessibility is half the battle of starting a new workout regimen, and if your gym isn't handy, you're less likely to go there. Note: Remember to take parking availability (or the gym's proximity to public transportation) into consideration.

Phone each club to collect initial information on facilities, equipment, and staff. Also inquire about price and membership commitments (such as length of membership required). Ask about one-day passes for prospective members, so you can visit and maybe even take a class to get a sense of the style of instruction offered. All reputable clubs should offer such passes, sometimes for a small fee.

Conduct on-site visits

You've done the initial research, but there's still a lot to observe when you visit in person. You may be able to set up a guided tour or just ask to look around on your own. The ideal would probably be to do both, with a guided tour as the introduction, and your own sleuthing to supplement it. Make sure you visit each club at a time when you're likely use it, so you can get an authentic feel for the environment you'll be working out in. Look for these things:

Cleanliness. Are the facilities clean enough for your tastes? Are equipment rooms orderly and well-kept?

Locker room. Is it clean and well-stocked (does it offer soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions)? Along with showers, does it provide special amenities, like spinners for wringing out wet swimsuits, hair dryers, or enough counterspace for women who want to apply make-up after their workouts? Is there plenty of room in the lockers for storing your things? Are the lockers available on an assigned basis so you can keep gear there if you want?

Staff. Is the staff knowledgeable and friendly? Will they have enough free time to answer your questions or show you how to use the equipment? Does someone oversee the weight room at all times? Does the swimming pool have a competent lifeguard on duty whenever it's open?

Are instructors certified by reputable professional programs or do they have educational backgrounds in physical education, physical therapy, or kinesiology? Take note of any certifications and look them up on the Internet, or check with a university, sports college, or national sports governing body for information on what various certifications mean.

Atmosphere. Is there an atmosphere of cooperation or competitiveness in the weight room and classes--and which type of atmosphere do you prefer? If you can't be comfortable (or stimulated) at the gym, you're far less likely to go there and work out.

Are the other club members friendly? You also might ask them what they like about the club--and if there's anything they don't like.

Equipment and facilities. Is the equipment well-maintained? If you plan on using the pool, sauna, or Jacuzzi, is it crowded at the time of day when you'll be visiting?

Read the fine print

Many health clubs ask you to sign a contract that details club policies, the length and terms of membership, and payment procedures. This is a good time to determine whether all the amenities you want included in your membership--classes, personal training, child care, towel service, locker use, and so on--require extra fees.

Read the document all the way through before signing it, and make sure that all verbal agreements you were given over the phone or in person are there in writing. In fact, take it home to read it at your leisure. Remember to check for cancellation provisions in case you move or become disabled. Your newfound club just might charge you extra, or continue to charge you membership fees, if you move or become unemployed or just disinterested.

Make sure the length of membership suits your needs. Are you signing a multiyear, yearlong, or month-to-month contract? If you're not sure you'll enjoy exercising at a health club or that its location will work for you for very long, avoid signing a contract that requires anything more than a month-to-month commitment. And be certain to turn down a lifetime membership (these agreements are illegal in most U.S. states). A lifetime membership is an unreasonable demand for most people, who will not be going to a gym well into their 70s, 80s, or 90s, and yet a lifetime membership might have you still paying dues into these golden years.

Note: Clubs commonly respect a "cooling off" period of three days if you sign a contract and then regret it. If you decide to back out during this period, you should be able to do so without penalty. If you think you may want to use this provision, though, check with your chosen club before you sign, and get this option in writing; the cooling off period is a courtesy, not a law.

If you've taken all your needs into consideration, however, you should be very happy with your new club. A good health club can motivate you, provide a new social outlet, and help you get fit faster. More important, it can be an excellent tool in your quest for lifelong well-being.

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