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If you've recently decided to commit to a healthier lifestyle by
joining a gym here are some guidelines to enable you to avoid making
costly mistakes.
1. Gym Facilities:
Some clubs consist of a single aerobics studio while others may
offer 3 climate controlled studios, fully equipped gym, pools, spa,
indoor/outdoor tennis courts and squash courts. You may not need a
fully equipped centre if you only want to use the gym! The key is to
choose a Club that is right for you.
2. Finding a Good Gym Service:
Does the club give good service? Staff should be happy and cheerful
as well as know what they're talking about and importantly, they
need to be able to talk to members. A good club has staff who give
customers the motivation to stick to a routine and achieve their
goals. When you visit a club for the first time investigate it
thoroughly by walking around on your own and asking members if they
would recommend it.
3. What to Look for When Inspecting a Gym:
Weight loss, conditioning or simple fitness needs? The club should
have varied equipment types and in adequate numbers. If weight-loss
is your goal you may well wish to burn some calories on the
treadmills/bikes/steppers so be sure there are enough of them to go
with the high volume of members at peak times. The last thing you
want is to have to queue for use of equipment. On the conditioning
side, look for clean gym stations and feel fee to ask if these are
serviced regularly, as you want to be sure they are safe to use with
no risk of injury to yourself. In addition, is there a mat area for
stretching/abdominal work.
4. The Cost of Joining a Gym:
There are varying price scales, ranges of facilities and services.
So look around to suit you budget.
5. Find the Right Gym:
Opening Hours. Club operating hours should fit in with your
schedule. If you join a club close to home, make sure you can go in
the early morning or evening.
6. Gym Classes on Offer:
If you like taking classes, make sure there is a wide range
available. You should check to see that distinctions are made
between beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
7. Do You Feel Comfortable?
Do you feel comfortable in the club environment? Can you picture
yourself working out in the gym? Some clubs have separate gyms for
women and men, is this important to you? If you have children are
they welcome at the club and if so at what times? Is there a crèche
facility or perhaps children's activity programmes in place?
8. Gym Social Interaction:
Does the club have a social events calendar and is it the sort of
thing you might be interested in? Perhaps you'll receive regular
newsletters so you will not miss out on anything new, they might
even send you birthday/Christmas cards. All of these could lead to
you feeling just that little bit more comfortable and so more
willing to stick to your fitness routine at the gym.
9. Ensure you are properly evaluated:
You should also receive advice on lifestyle, diet and
apparel/footwear for your proposed activities. Advice on training
and an individual training programme should also be provided and an
induction to take you through this in detail.
10. Confident and Trustworthy Gym Staff:
The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has introduced
self-regulation, leading to the recent introduction of the Register
of Exercise Professionals. This is a fabulous tool to give you
confidence in the club's staff since instructors on the register
should not only be adequately qualified, have insurance and first
aid certificates in place, but must also commit to constantly
updating such or they will be removed. Although not the only
benchmark of a Club's competence, it is a good start when looking at
the quality of the support and motivation you will get. |
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(This document is provided by a third party and does not necessarily
represent the views of FitnessClubOffers.co.uk, Fitness TV (Media
Fitness Ltd) or any of its Business Partners). |
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