Finding the Right Gym By Kelli Calabrese MS, CSCS, ACE

Finding the Right Gym

By Kelli Calabrese MS, CSCS, ACE

This is the time of year that you get flooded with commercials featuring perfectly-shaped people in skimpy clothes moving their bodies in a manner you can only dream of doing and smiling with each repetition. You want their bodies, but the fear of joining a health club is greater than the pain of being out of shape.

The prospect of high-pressured sales, blasting music, unavailable staff and getting on sweaty equipment has made the thought of joining a gym even less appealing. Like many businesses, health clubs have evolved since their boom and bust in the 70's. They should now be viewed as places that give you the tools you need to get fit. The most important part in joining a club is finding one you are comfortable with and will use often.

In this two-part series on finding the right gym, I’ll tell you what to look for, how to avoid getting burned, how to know if a club is the right fit for you and how to get the best deal on your membership.

Here’s what you should look for when interviewing a health club:

Available staff -- someone should greet you at the front desk
Friendly and informed sales team
All personnel in uniform
Enjoyable background music
All equipment clean and in order
Clean and bright fitness and locker areas
Convenient hours of operation (5 a.m. -- 10 p.m. is typical on weekdays with earlier closings on the weekends)
Qualified staff -- look for national certifications and degrees
Available parking
Convenient to get to facility during hours you want to attend
Comfortable flow of people without overcrowding
Members who meet your demographics (college students, body builders, retirees)
Comfortable facility temperature: not too hot, humid or stale
Supervised fitness area

To avoid getting burned at a health club:

Pay your membership monthly.
Ask for your enrollment fee to be prorated over the initial membership term.
Join a club that is bonded with the state.
Give a credit card number for your monthly dues, so you can track fees and not incur late payments. Your credit card company will always back you up.
Join clubs that came by way of referral from friends.

Ask the following questions when you interview a club:

What is included in the membership?

Examples: health screening, fitness assessment, supervised sessions with trainer, trainers available on fitness floor, towel service, follow-up workouts with trainers, private locker and unlimited group fitness classes.
Is there an annual fee in addition to monthly dues (or any other hidden fees)?
What do you charge for additional services?

Examples: childcare, tanning, bottled water, towels, personal training, nutritional counseling and massage therapy.
What are your trainers' qualifications?

Look for American Council on Exercise, The American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association or a degree in exercise science.
What are the facility's emergency procedures?

Are the staff trained in CPR, first aid and how to use an automatic defibrillator?
Does the facility belong to a professional association?

If the facility is a member of a chain of clubs or IHRSA (the association for quality clubs), your membership may also grant you workout privileges at other locations.
How often is the equipment maintained?
What type of equipment do they have? (Look for commercial brands like Cybex, Nautilus, Precor, Stairmaster and Life Fitness.)
How often do they get new equipment?
What group fitness classes do they provide?
What time are classes offered?
Are instructors experienced?
Is the floor padding shock-absorbing?
Are there beginner, intermediate and advanced classes?
Do you have to sign up for classes?
Is there an additional fee to take classes?
Can I try before I buy? (Ask for a one week or 10 day trial membership.)
Do you have a corporate membership with my employer, health insurance carrier or other organization I belong to?
Are you bonded with the state?
Can you introduce me to your fitness director?

With this information in hand, begin to ask friends, check the yellow pages and visit www.IHRSA.org to start narrowing down potential fitness centers. Next week, I’ll give you tips on how to know if a club is a good fit for you and how to get the best deal when purchasing a club membership. Stay tuned.