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If
you have never been to a gym
before then it is quite possible
you aren’t sure how to tell
a good gym from one that may
not suit you. Many of the
things you should look for
are simply common sense, while
other things are not so obvious.
It is up to you to choose
what is important to you.
It
is always a good idea to try
out a facility at the time
you are planning to work out
at so you know what sort of
conditions you will be facing
before you sign up for a membership.
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1.
Location, location, location
Is
the gym near your home or work?
If it isn’t then it may become inconvenient
very fast. Even the most dedicated
of trainers would have a hard time
commuting 45 minutes both ways to
get to a gym .
2. The price
is right
- Some
of the best gyms around are also
the most reasonably priced.
- Be
aware of what you are looking
for in a gym and what you will
be paying for in a membership.
If you just want to use the weights
but are getting charged for the
sauna, racquetball courts, swimming
pool, etc., you may wish to look
into a no-frills gym at a lower
rate.
- Many
gyms actually justify rate increases
because of adding new equipment
or services that nobody wanted
or even uses.
- Substance
should always win out over glitz
and glamor.
- Price
should also be judged according
to location. A nearby gym at a
slightly higher rate may be worth
signing up for rather than a further
away gym at a lower rate. If you
don’t go then you are wasting
your money anyway.
- For
a good basic gym, the average
rate is around $30 to 40 per month.
Lower rates often limit the number
of days you can workout during
the week while higher rates often
include more services and facilities.
3. Quality
of the facility
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If
the gym is dirty and the equipment
is falling apart then chances
are it is not a good choice.
- Look
for well-maintained equipment
and a clean facility.
- Check
the benches and machines
for fraying cables and stitching.
- Check
dumbells for loose plates
and rust.
- Look
at the cardio machines for
wear and tear and listen
for strange noises.
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4.
Selection of equipment
Equipment
selection is a very individual point
that holds varying weights for different
people.
- Some
people like a wide variety of
equipment and machines while others
just need some benches, dumbells
and barbells.
- A
gym that has too much equipment
can be just as bad as a gym that
doesn’t have enough as they can
be quite confusing, especially
to a beginning trainer.
- Advanced
trainers should look for heavy
dumbells (this is a good indication
of the target membership of a
gym – the heavier the dumbells,
the more advanced the trainers).
- Look
for a wide variety of cardio machines
as well.
5. Qualified
and friendly staff
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Anybody
can throw on a T-shirt and
sit at a desk.
- Is
the staff qualified to instruct
you if you need it?
- Are
they strong enough to spot
you if you need it?
- Are
they more interested in
getting their commission
off your membership and
selling you supplements
then on helping you get
fitter and healthier?
- Ask
for qualifications before
you sign up.
- Friendliness
is also important. A grouchy
face when you arrive for
a workout can drain the
energy right out of you.
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Other
Considerations
1.
Other trainers
Are
the other people who work out at
that gym friendly and/or knowledgeable?
Training in a positive atmosphere
can do wonders for anybody.
2.
Population density
This
is not a measure of the intellect
of the other trainers in the gym.
- How
many people will be in the gym
when you are planning to go? If
the gym is extremely crowded at
that time then your workout may
not be as enjoyable. Nobody likes
to wait for equipment.
- To
solve this, you must either work
out at a different time or find
a gym that doesn’t get crowded
at that time.
3.
Changing facilities
Some
gyms have good changing rooms while
others have what seems to be a closet.
Many gyms offer lockers as well.
If a good locker room is important
to you, be sure to check this out
before signing up.
4.
Miscellaneous
Here
are a few other things to look out
for:
- Parking
- Childcare
facilities and staff
- Other
classes such as aerobics, stretching,
etc. Fees for them?
5.
Contracts
Many
health clubs require you to sign
a membership contract before you
can start working out. A good contract
can protect both the interests of
the club and the rights of the client
at the same time. Here are some
tips on things you should be aware
of when you are signing a health
club contract.
- If
you are under any sort of pressure
to sign, e.g. this deal is for
today only, walk away. Take the
contract home with you to read
carefully. Don't feel pressured
into signing anything.
- Find
out how long the contract is for.
Ask about taking out a monthly
membership where you pay as you
go. This is the best option if
you are not sure if you are going
to able to commit to a club for
3 years as that is how long many
gym contracts are for.
- Find
out if the membership automatically
rolls over when your contract
is completed. This means you will
be signed up again even if you
didn't want to be. You may have
to send a certified letter declaring
your cancellation of the membership.
- Ask
to try out the facility before
signing up for anything. Be sure
to read anything presented to
you to sign "for liability
purposes" before using the
club. Disreputable clubs have
been known to slip membership
contracts to people when they
sign something to try the club
out.
- Bargain
with the salesperson. You can
often get reduced rates. Be absolutely
sure anything you agree on gets
written into your contract.
- Test
out a few gyms before signing
any sort of contract.
Canceling
your membership:
There
are a few things you should know
about membership cancellation. There
are laws in most, if not all, states
in the United States (and possibly
other countries) that dictate what
rights you have as far as health
club contract cancellation goes.
You
may cancel your contract within
3 business days of your signing
without penalty. This must often
be done by registered or certified
letter.
You
may cancel your contract at any
time under the following conditions:
- You
move more than 25 miles away from
any health club operated by the
seller.
- You
suffer physical disability which
will prevent you from using the
facilities for more than 6 months.
- The
club ceases to offer services
that were in the contract.
Remember,
always read the fine print!
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