Friday, January 15, 2010

Fitting In at the Gym

If you've resolved to workout more this year, you know it's an exciting feeling in the beginning - planning your workouts and relishing in the euphoric feelings of accomplishing a goal. After a few weeks, however, the resolutions fall by the wayside and everyday life (and bad habits) tends to seep back into your plans.

Perhaps doing it all on your own is not the best way. Each year, millions of Americans join a local gym or health club and studies show that they are 25% more likely to stick to their plan than someone who goes it alone.

Joining a health club is a commitment, making it extremely important that you find the right club for your needs. Before joining, here are some tips for finding the proper health club:

Ask for a tour of the facilities, including locker rooms and saunas. See if the club provides proper cleaning products for members and offers properly functioning and up-to-date equipment.

Make sure the drive to the club is something you can fit in your routine. Physical proximity is one of the most important elements in maintaining club membership.

Ask staff for additional information and qualifications of fitness trainers. Make sure they are accredited and properly licensed to train or teach fitness classes.

Ask the staff for member references. Follow up with members who can tell you their likes and dislikes about the club.

Check to see if the club offers trial memberships. This will give you a chance to use the facilities to see if it's worth the membership fees.

If you have children, check to see if the club offers childcare facilities or a kids' fitness program. Also find out if the price is included in your membership fees.

Once you find the gym that fits you, it's only a matter of time before your fitness goals are realized.

No comments:

Post a Comment