If you are serious about getting fit then it is often preferable to do this a gym or fitness club as having other people around you can be a great motivator. Anyone can join a club, it’s easy, you just walk in and pay them but choosing the right one also means that you have to think about what it is you need that club to give you in return. This may all sound trivial but the number of people that join clubs and then leave because it doesn’t meet with their needs, usually within a matter of months, is enormous. Not to be dismissed as a minor pint should be where the club is located, if it is not close to your place of work or home you will quickly find reasons not to go.
The instructor also needs to be well trained and a good motivator if you are someone that requires that level of attention. For people that may have specific requirements or physical limitations, the instructor needs to be made aware of these from the start. If you speak to the staff about their facilities and training programs, this will give you a good idea about the customer service level they provide. It would be nice to know if the fitness club you have joined has a dietitian or a resident physiotherapist.
Flexibility of opening hours is important as the longer it is open during the day, the less chance there is of it becoming too crowded. Some people join a fitness club to join classes; of course these are usually an extra charge so if at all possible try and have a free lesson before you commit to anything.
It is also important to ensure the club has enough exercise and weight training equipment to meet the demand as there is nothing more frustrating than queuing for an item of equipment. The sign of a good club is well maintained machines so look to see if there are any that are not working and if there are, try to find out how long they have been that way.
Most clubs are also a venue for social interaction so take time to drop by and meet the members of the club before you enroll because other members can be your buddies in the near future and should be considered. You will also need to know what the membership fees are, whether they increase a great deal every year and if there are charges not mentioned in the literature.
To get a good idea of the fitness clubs available in your area, you should try two or three to see which one ‘feels’ right and meets your needs. Choosing a club is just like shopping on the best shirt for you so don’t be pressured or contact them right away; take your time to review and gather enough information if you are still not sure which one to choose.
