How to Select Your Health Club

A gym can be a great exercise motivator if you choose the right one. Before you sign a membership agreement, be sure the health club you choose suits your personal needs and fitness goals.

An alternative if a traditional gym is not 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 picking a gym are:

1. Location Location Location
Pick a fitness center location that is convenient. After a long day of work you are not going to want to spend a good hour fighting traffic, another hour working out, and then another half an hour driving home. You will just have one more excuse not to work out if the club is out of your way. Sometimes the gym without the exact classes and equipment you want will be a better arrangement due to the easy accessible location where you are more likely to stop and workout.

2. Exercise Equipment Options
Looking at the variety and quality of the equipment offered in the gym is another thing you must factor in. If you prefer free weights, make sure there is a large number of dumbbells present because during rush hours, these could be hard to come by. Likewise, if you prefer guided machines for weight training, you抣l want to be sure there is a large variety of machines that you can work all the necessary muscles on your body. If you find yourself doing a lot of cardio training as part of your exercise routines you will want to check the availability and supply of the machines.

3. Health Club Demographics
Are you concerned your gym clothes or physique isn't quite worthy? These can be important factors in choosing the proper fitness center.

4. Free Services
You may want to ask if the health club offers any additional benefits along with your basic membership and if there is a fee for these. Such examples could be physiotherapy, massage therapy, fitness testing.

5. Fitness Classes
If you like group exercise classes, see check when they are available. 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're taking a dance class, is there enough room to move about, and a good wood floor?

6. Hours of Operation
When is the health club open? Are you a morning or evening exerciser? Likewise, some people who prefer working out late at night, you will want to check the evening availability hours.

7. Specialized Personal 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. The availability of knowledgeable staff will be important at this time. Unfortunately many health clubs hire virtually anyone who has a basic interest in fitness, so be sure to ask around about the actual qualifications of the trainers.

8. Cleanliness
One very important factor you want to look for is the cleanliness of the health club. You do not want to be working out on weights that is not clean. Also make sure they have towels in various places around the gym to clean up after workouts, and have a look at the changing rooms.

9. Membership Fees
Health club memberships can really vary in costs so it抯 a good idea to shop around before making that final commitment. What exactly is covered in the monthly membership fees? Do popular class, such as Pilates, cost extra? Also consider how long you are signing the contract for as this can vary too. Many fitness centers like to entice you to sign a contract for years and if you aren抰 quite sure it is going to be a long term arrangement, you are better off agreeing to something that is more short-term. 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 fitness center's termination policy. If you sign up for a 1 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 did not have a refund or membership transfer agreement. Some fitness centers are good about this while others 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.

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