How to Choose a Health Club

There are lots of things to look for when choosing a health club, but there’s only one “rule” that really matters:

A membership (at any price) has zero value if the club turns out to be a place you don’t like going back to.

When you visit the club, here are some other things to keep in mind:

• Is the club clean?
• Is it a place you won’t be bored with in a few months . . . or even weeks? 
• Does the staff make you feel welcome?
• Are the members the kind of people you feel comfortable around?
• Do you feel safe in the club?
• Do you feel safe in the parking lot?
  

Will you be able to use the club whenever you’d like, or will you be forced to change your schedule to get on equipment? (unless you don’t mind waiting in line . . . )

• Is there enough equipment for the club’s total number of members?
• Are there sign-up sheets or time limits for cardio equipment? (Either of these is a sign that the club doesn’t have enough cardio.)
• Are the equipment areas big enough, or does it feel like everything is on top of each other?
• Is there enough variety - do they have all the equipment you need for your workout?
• Does the club have personal flat screen TVs to help your cardio time pass more quickly?

Is the club in the business of “just selling memberships”, or are they genuinely interested in taking care of their members?

• What’s been done in the last 1, 3, or 6 months to improve the club?
• Are they selling thousands of low, low monthly fee memberships in hopes (and prayers!) that most of their members won’t use the club?
• Are there trial memberships available? (If you can’t try the club with no risk, what are they hiding?)
• Are there enough classes at the times that are convenient for you? 
• Is there variety in the types of classes being offered?
• Is there an additional fee for certain, more popular classes . . . or can you take what you want, when you want, at no extra cost?
• Are the trainers formally educated, or are they “certified” through online, in-house or weekend programs?

Your membership should include workout program reviews, updates,  and coaching – not just for your first 30 days, but throughout your membership.

Remember! A membership (at any price) has zero value if the club turns out to be a place you don’t like going back to.