10 Things You Must Find Out Before Joining a Health Club

If you are serious about getting the best results youpass so you can see how you feel using the facility.
can when it comes to improving your physical fitness,5.Members of the facility - Check out the kind of
then joining a quality health club is probably going topeople who are using the facility. Ask yourself if
be important for you. The number of people whothese are the kind of people you want to be
successfully reach their fitness goals by utilizing aexercising next to. If you are a baby boomer and
health club is far greater than those who aremost of the people you see in the facility are 20
successful on their own.something, you may not be comfortable working out
This isn't to say that you can't do it on your own,with them as your peers. If you like everything else
but be pre-warned that going it on your own is a lotabout the facility but you're not sure the other
more difficult than you may think. If you want to getmembers fit your comfort profile, make a point of
physically fit without joining a club, as a minimum, youvisiting the facility when you are most likely to use it.
should plan on hiring a personal trainer, at least to getYou will probably find that the demographics of many
you started. Also, you will need to invest in someclubs change depending on when you go there.
home exercise equipment. The cost of a trainer and6.Close to home or work - If a club isn't convenient
quality home equipment can require an investmentfor you to get to, you aren't going to use it regularly.
that would allow you to join a good health club forIf you don't exercise regularly, you will be defeating
several years.your purpose. The club I joined when I was living in
Believe me when I tell that I'm not trying to convinceChicago was a national chain. One of the big reasons
you not to do your own thing. I have all my ownI joined this particular club was that they had multiple
equipment. But keep in mind that I also have anfacilities within 5 minutes of both my home and my
advanced degree in exercise physiology and manyoffice. It was very convenient for me to go to either
years experience coaching others on what needs toclub, so I used the facilities all the time. That was a
be done and how to do it. And, to be honest, ifvery good thing at the time, because I was training
there was a good health club close by, I would join itfor triathlons which require a lot of training.
in a flash. For me, the closest good health club is7.Types of Equipment - Similar to location, if a facility
about 60 miles away. My investment in good qualitydoesn't have the kind of weight training and
equipment cost me about $5000. That would pay forcardiovascular equipment you want to use, it's not
quite a few years of health club membership.going to be a good fit for you. When I was training
So, chances a good that you should consider joining afor triathlons I needed a pool. Another selling point
good health club to help you meet your fitness goals.for the club I joined was that each of the facilities
If this is the case, here are some of the mostthat were close for me also had a pool and an indoor
important things you need to consider whenrunning track that helped with winter training. Make
evaluating a health club before you join.sure that you know what kind of equipment you
1.Health Screenings - Find out if the club performs aneed to use and are comfortable with it. A club that
health screening before you begin your membership.has predominantly free weights isn't going to do you
Ideally, a certified fitness professional should give youmuch good if you want to use machines.
a submax fitness test to determine your current8. Condition of Equipment - Check to make sure all
cardiovascular fitness. They should also ask youthe equipment is clean and maintained. It won't do
questions about your medical history and conductyou much good to belong to a club where half the
tests for flexibility. Getting this information will helpmachines have signs saying they are out of service.
the staff evaluate your capabilities and design a safeAnd working out on dirty, smelly equipment can really
and effective exercise routine that will help youput a damper on your training.
achieve your desired results.9. Aerobics Room - If there is any chance you might
2.Qualified, certified fitness instructors - Thewant to take some kind of aerobics class (dance,
instructors should be certified through a nationalstep, spin, etc.) you will want to be sure that the
exercise organization such as ACE or ACSM. Some ofaerobics room has good ventilation and a shock
the organizations have certifications for special needsabsorbing floor. If you have never had shin splints let
groups like seniors or people with arthritis. If you fitme tell you that a shock absorbing floor can make a
into a special group, check to see if any of the staffbig difference. And a room with poor ventilation cam
at the club you're interested in has the certificationsreally get stuffy when your breathing in everyone
that will be most beneficial to you. And check theirelse's used up air.
credentials. There are a lot of certificate mills out10. Facility Temperature and Air Flow - When you go
there that give out certifications for a few dollarsfor your initial visit to try out the facility, pay
and don't require any testing to insure the applicantsattention to the temperature and humidity in the
are knowledgeable or have practical experience.facility. They should be at a comfortable level for you
There should be certified staff members available toto work out. One of the problems with some facilities
answer questions and show you how to use any ofthat have pools is that they don't have good
the equipment. They should also be available to helpseparation between the pool area and the rest of
you set up your initial exercise program and guidethe facility. This can cause some pretty high humidity,
you in any modifications you need to make as youwhich can make working out very uncomfortable.
progress.In a similar fashion, poor air flow within the facility can
3.Service Oriented - When you first go to a club tocause problems. You don't want to be working out in
check it out, see what kind of feeling you get froman area that smells like a men's locker room (sorry
the staff. Do they seem interested in you and yourguys but I don't know what a women's locker room
exercise goals or are they just trying to sign you upsmells like so I have to use what I'm familiar with).
for the most expensive package they can talk you inThis may seem like a lot of things to find out about,
to? Staff members should be willing and able tobut keep in mind that you are going to be paying a
answer any questions you have about variousdecent amount of money for the use of a good,
programs, etc. And they should encourage you toquality facility. And, you will be spending a fair amount
use the facility, not just try to get you to sign up.of time there if you are really serious about your
4.Try before you buy - The facility should allow youfitness and health. It makes sense to make sure you
a try out period before committing to a membership.will be happy and comfortable with this investment
Look for a club that allows you to try out the facilityof time and money.
for at least 2 weeks (there may be a fee for this).©2005 - 2006 Thomas D.
At the very least, they should offer you a free day