Choosing Your Health Club

Now that you have made the commitment to starting a workout program, the next step is choosing a health club that you will feel comfortable going to on a regular basis. If it isn't, chances are you are not going to regularly attend and will eventually just stop going altogether. By being sure your gym is a good fit for you, you help take yourself one step further to realizing your health and fitness goals.

An alternative if a traditional gym isn’t for you, you can definitely set up a home gym where you can get complete workouts all in the privacy of where you live. There are a number of home gym systems out there that include all the equipment you need to perform all the key lifts that should be included in any workout program.

The top 10 considerations when choosing a health club are:

1. Location
Pick a gym location that is convenient.  Who really wants to spend twice as long driving to and from their gym as it takes them to do their workout? Think about either choosing a gym that is located close to your house or else on the drive to or from work. Sometimes the gym without the exact facilities you want will be a better deal due to the easy accessible location where you are more likely to stop and workout.

2. Exercise Equipment Options
Determine if there will be congestion on the equipment during the hours you will be at the fitness center. This may be hard to avoid, as most fitness centers are used heavily before and after work on weekdays. Because of special promotions, January will always be crowded so it can be best to sign up for a trial membership to determine if this is a short term issue.

3. Clientele
Another factor to consider is the membership demographic that goes to the fitness center. Some individuals will prefer going to an all-ladies gym. For others, a mixed fitness center is the perfect solution because a motivation for the health club membership is to socialize and perhaps even find a date.  Whatever your wishes, this can be an important factor in maintaining your continuous attendance.  These can be important factors in choosing the right fitness center.

4. Addition Services
You may want to ask if the fitness center offers any additional benefits in conjunction with your basic membership and if there is a fee for these. Such examples would be physiotherapy, massage therapy, fitness testing.

5. Group Exercise Classes
If you like group fitness classes, see what is available and when. Make sure the classes you want to take are offered at convenient times. Don't choose a club that focuses on kickboxing classes if you want to do yoga.  When you take a class, see how you like the instructor, the pace of the class, and the room. Is the class overcrowded? When you are taking a dance class, is there enough room to move about, and mirrored wall?

6. Open Hours
Always be sure to check the hours of operation of the gym. If you like to workout in the morning, you will want to be sure they are able to cater to this preference. Ask about their holiday policies. Likewise, some people who prefer exercising late at night, you'll want to check the evening availability hours.

7. Personal Training Services
Having some good, qualified personal trainers on hand is critical to helping you realize your full fitness potential. Even if you are fine with your program right now, consider that in a month down the road you might be peeking and in need of a check-up so to speak on your current regime.  Having the option available of knowledgeable staff cannot be stressed enough. Many gyms hire virtually anyone who has a basic interest in exercise and fitness, so be sure to enquire about the actual certifications these trainers hold.

8. Cleanliness
The entire facility should be safe and clean, clean and well maintained.  Check the bathrooms and showers to make sure there are enough clean towels, lockers, and hot water.  Verify that the equipment and floors are cleaned regularly and that there is enough room to workout without bumping into others.  Be on the look out for dangerous items such as loose carpets, tiles, electrical cords, or other things you could trip and fall over.

9. Membership Cost
Health club memberships can vary in costs so it is a good idea to look around before making that final decision. What does the monthly membership fees cover? Do popular class, such as yoga or Pilates, cost extra? Also consider how long you are signing the contract for as this can vary too. Many fitness centers like to rope you in for years and if you aren’t quite sure it’s going to be a multi year arrangement, you’re better off signing something that is along the lines of a monthly contract.  Late summer and shortly after the New Year, many health clubs will run special promotions to entice you to join.

10. Contract Termination Policy
Finally take a look at the health club's cancellation policy. If you sign up for a 3 year membership and then end up changing jobs and moving, are you going to be partially refunded? It will be a bad situation if they offer no refund or transfer membership.  Some fitness centers are good about this and some are not so you will have to weigh the probability of your terminating among other things that are discussed above when making your decision.

After you have signed on, enjoy your club often. You've made a worthwhile investment in your health.