So you've resolved to join a gym and get in shape. For some people, joining a health club can be intimidating:
You feel pressured when a gym salesperson tells you this is the last day for a special discount. Membership contracts perplex you. Or weeks later, you find the facility's offerings aren't what you thought.
How to avoid these?
Here's what you need to know before signing up:
THE HOMEWORK
Determine your fitness goals and a budget:
Do you want to improve overall health? Reduce risk of heart disease or cope with diabetes? Gain muscle? Lose weight?
Do you like a no-frills, small fitness center? Are you willing to pay for swank: towel service, valet parking, social events, state-of-the-art equipment? Do you want personal training?
Prepare a checklist and take it with you club-shopping to help you compare clubs.
THE TEST-DRIVE
• Evaluate health clubs close to either work or home. The plus of choosing a health club close to home is that you can go there on weekends. Some health-club chains have locations close to work and home. That option may be best for you.
• Arrange for a tour and a guest pass for a day. Use the pass when you are most likely to work out to get an idea of how crowded the place gets or whether you like the classes at that time.
• Talk to members during your tryout and ask likes and dislikes.
• Ask the salesperson to explain the levels of membership. If you buy the lowest tier of membership, keep in mind that this has the least number of privileges and the greatest number of limitations.
• Be aware that a recent trend among health-club chains is to open more locations for higher-tier clubs that require an upgrade in basic membership.
• Get details on corporate- or employer-negotiated discounts; note that, in some cases, these result in insignificant savings or are contingent on the number of employees joining.
THE CONTRACT
Are there any additional fees you will need to pay for any future classes the club might offer? This should be specified in the contract.
Do not sign on the spot, no matter what the salesperson says about a special discount expiring today. Instead, take the contract home, read it carefully and make sure you understand all the terms of agreement.
If you don't like something in the contract, don't sign. Ask the club to change the terms. If the club is not willing, you may want to choose another club.
Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a lifetime membership; this is illegal.
The choice that gives you best flexibility to change your mind is a month-to-month contract you can cancel any time. If that's not available, choose no longer than a one-year contract.
Ask about the cancellation policy in the event of a temporary or permanent disability/illness, residence move or dissatisfaction with membership.
Contracts also must specify a "cooling-off" period in which you can cancel a membership. The contract must advise you where to send the written notice of cancellation. Send the cancellation by certified mail. Your money must be refunded within 10 days, but the club may deduct for any services you used before canceling.
Be aware that consolidation is a trend. Health clubs buy others. And that can eventually change membership terms and the facility's quality. Also, some clubs can be vulnerable to going out of business. This is why it's important not to purchase long-term contracts.
YOUR FIRST WEEK
Get the club schedule, call the group exercise director and ask for advice on classes.
Call the club manager to schedule an appointment with a trained employee to explain how to use the exercise machines.
Find out from the manager what attire is appropriate for your club. For most activities, moisture-wicking shorts, a short-sleeve or sleeveless shirt, cross-training shoes and moisture-wicking socks, a workout towel, and for women, a good workout bra, are appropriate.
(Forget cotton and sweats; they absorb sweat and stay damp and uncomfortable.)
Bring a water bottle filled with water. Label the bottom of the bottle with your name in case you leave it behind by mistake at the gym.
Be wary of personal fitness trainers who are not registered dieticians who tell you to take or buy certain nutritional supplements to help you lose weight or gain muscle. Decline politely, saying you'd prefer to seek nutrition advice from a registered dietician.
Arrive early for classes; tell the instructor you're a newcomer and may need help.
If you have been sedentary, don't expect to finish a class or walk for a whole hour. Aim for 15 to 20 minutes the first time and go for five minutes more the next time until you're working out for a full hour. Don't feel bad if you have to rest.
Track your progress in a workout diary; congratulate yourself after workouts; and remember to have fun.
