Choosing a Fitness Center or Gym

1. Location
Unless your very disciplined this should be at the top of your list. When things get tough and you don't feel like working out the closer you are to the fitness center the better. It also comes into play when a time crunch comes up. The closer you are the faster you can get your workout in.

When I lived in Sandusky, Ohio the closest gym was over 30 minutes away with traffic. That meant I had to plan at least 2 hours for a workout. 60 minute drive and 1 hour workout. If I was heading to work then I needed even more time for a shower.

You should find a Gym close to home or work. If it's near work you can get a workout in after work or during lunch.

The added bonus of a workout after work is that you could miss rush hour and eliminate the extra time you spend in traffic. This really works well if you don't think you have enough time to workout. By reducing your time spent in traffic you can actually add some wasted time to your day.

2. Hours
Make sure the gym is open when you plan to workout. Common sense, but some gyms close early or the activities you want to do can conflict with your schedule. Some fitness centers are open 24hrs a day. This is really nice if you can't get to sleep and want to workout at 2am.

3. Specific Goals or Activities
Wether it's weight loss, toning up or just being active. Make sure the Fitness center you choose has the activities you like.

It's much easier to get off your butt when there is something there you like to do. Many fitness centers offer programs that are fun and burn a ton of calories.

When I join a new Fitness Center I try to take every class they offer. I have taken some really strange classes that turned out to be some of my favorites. If you like the concept of the class but don't like the trainer or instructor try another with someone else. Some trainers are better than others find one that matches your personality.

4. Price
Not all Fitness Centers or Gyms are created equal. It pays to shop around and look at what's included in your membership. Look for sales and special enrollment drives. You can save alot of money if you do your homework.

5. Gender and Age
Some fitness center cater to an age group or gender. There are a few centers that are woman only or just for seniors. Make sure the fitness you choose has other members that match you and your personality. They are out there if you look.

6. Equipment
Take a careful look at the equipment.
Are the benches in good shape?
Are there enough treadmills?
Are people using towels and wiping off the machines when they are done? (More on this later)
Do the machines look like they are maintained?

Do they have the fitness equipment you want to use. If you don't see your favorite machine, ASK before you sign on the dotted line. Don't assume that everyone has the same equipment. I love to do some certain cable exercises and I make sure they have what I want before I join.

7. Atmosphere
I have found that each Fitness Center or Gym has a personality or a certain feeling when I am working out. This varies quite a bit. It can even be different depending on time of day you go in for a workout. I have been at some gyms that music playing in the fitness center changes depending on who is working the front desk

Be careful with this. I suggest that you go to the fitness center or gym at the time you plan to workout. Many fitness centers will give you a few days for free before you sign the dreaded contract. Use those free days. Not so much for getting something for free but to try before you buy. Workout during the time you plan to normally and get a feel for the people, the crowded, and music. Check the music and who controls it even if you workout with an iPod or similar device. You never know when your batteries might die or you are doing something that you just can't wear them.

8. Cleanliness
We touched on this a little in #7. ALWAYS check the locker room for cleanliness. I am not a neat freak but any stretch of the imagination but by checking the locker room you can get a feel for how the whole fitness center or gym is taken care of.

Are towels supplied by the fitness center or gym to wipe of equipment? I have found this to be a deal breaker for me if they are not. Most people bring one towel to the gym when they workout. THey usually leave it in their locker for a shower when they are done. When the fitness center or gym supply towels I notice more people wiping down equipment when they are done.

Sitting down in someones sweat is not my idea of a good time. I could go on and on about this but I think you get the idea.

9. Staff
Is the staff friendly and helpful?
Do they have trainers on site?
Are trainers certified?
Do they know CPR?
Are there extra fees for Activities and trainers?
Even if you plan to put on your headphones and just do your own thing make sure you going have a backup when needed.

10. Childcare
This could be at the top of your list instead of the bottom. I have two kids 3 and 5. Having childcare onsite is one of the things we always look for.

One thing to be aware of is some Fitness Centers and Gyms charge extra for this service. Sometimes it's included with your membership.

Make sure you ask about the age requirements. Our last gym charged extra if the child was still in diapers. They did not change a diaper but it was extra because of the attention they would give a younger child.

Check out the staff here just as you would anywhere you leave your kids. Alot of fitness Centers and Gyms will give you a pager. If there are any problems it's much easier for them and you to get a page instead of someone walking around trying to find you.

1. Contract
Take a close look at the contract BEFORE you sign. Take it home and look it over. Defaulting on a Fitness center or gym long term contract WILL affect your credit. Be sure you know what you getting into before you sign.

Remember you have options. Some Gyms and Fitness Centers are now getting rid of the contracts and just let you pay month to month. If you can get a deal like this it's highly recommended you take advantage of it. It may be a little more expensive in the beginning but it could save you thousands if you change your mind.

You may have the best intentions of working out everyday right now but things change.

If you did not take advantage of a free trial period to check things you should not signup for a long term contract. Make sure you are going to stay there before going long term and getting burned for thousands.

At one fitness center I joined it took a little over a month to get your permanent ID card. When I picked up my card they went through 3 boxes full of cards to find it. There were hundreds of cards in there. They were all from people that signed up but did not stick with it long enough to even get their permanent card.

Moral to the story. Use month to month until you establish going to the Fitness center or Gym is a habit.

2. Up-Front Fees
Many gyms charge just to sign up. This often happens when you are doing a month to month deal. Make sure you do the math. I know of one fitness Center that has a .99 signup fee and then let's you go month to month. When you are comparing fitness Centers and Gyms it pays to shop around and to do the math.

3. Monthly Payments
Watch your checkbook and how they ask you to pay. Many Fitness Centers want to do a direct withdrawal from your checking account or credit card. I tend to shy away from these especially if they charge extra for certain activities. I never do a direct withdrawal if I am on a month to month deal. It is way too easy to overlook and you could be paying for something you no longer want.

***Exception***
Once I am settled into a new gym and have established the habit of going on a regular basis I will switch over to a direct withdrawal (or even sign a long term contract). It's easier than writing a check each month once I know what I am getting and I know I will be using what I paid for.

4. Additional Charges
Ask BEFORE you join. The great thing about joining a Fitness Center or Gym are the activities you can't get by working out at home. There are aerobic classes, swim classes Racket Ball, Tennis, Basketball, massages, rock walls, and many many more.

If I am getting close to a decision I always ask what's included. I like to try everything a Fitness Center or Gym has to offer. I also want to know what it will cost when I do.

You need to understand that paying extra for some of these things are necessary. If there is an instructor or trainer that leads the activity they are usually paid EXTRA for their time. It's not fair for all the members to pay for something that they may not use.

You should compare those rates with the other fitness centers or gyms you are looking at.
You could save alot of money if your favorite activity is included with you membership.

5. Smell
SMELL? Yes smell!!! I know your in a gym and it's going to smell like sweat. Not a big deal but there are a couple reasons this becomes very important.

A. Mold
I always look for mold or a moldy smell. You will be exerting yourself quite a bit when you are there. You will be breathing heavy most of the time. Do you really want to be sucking in a bunch of potentially dangerous mold spores. This is about getting healthy not getting sick.

B. Check for Ventilation
Make sure all that hot air is going somewhere. Everyone in the gym is working just as hard as you are. Make sure all that hot air is going somewhere and your not breathing someones cold or flu. Remember it's about getting healthy not sick.

A few years ago my Dad had heart surgery in Florida. I spent 30 days there and never missed a workout since I did a little bit of homework before I left.

1. Check with your fitness center
2. Check the yellow pages or google.
3. Check the YMCA
4. Get a Free Pass