Choosing a health club
Selecting a health club is a no brainer, right? At first thought, it would seem that what you want in a health club is all of the things you don’t have at home: free weights, weight machines, all kinds of cardio equipment, one stop shopping for a complete workout. Simple, right?
Well, simple, but maybe not so easy. After all, what do you really know about the many types of workout equipment available? There must be a reason for all of those different companies making all of those different types of machines, and if you had the time, you could research it.
But getting to the gym is about saving time and making fitness truly accessible. Just the thought of the work it would take to understand it all on your own makes you want to put your feet up in front of the TV with a bag of your favorite cookies and forget about it for a while.
Before you pop open the bag of Chips Ahoy, consider this: Although there are many different health clubs to choose from, there is actually a formula that you can apply to choosing a gym that doesn’t require hours or even years of dedicated research. Not that the research isn’t important.
• Price: A person applying financial skill into the price of a health club membership builds in all factors necessary to maintain the quality of your fitness experience: the cost of new equipment, maintenance, cleanliness of the facility, quality staff, environmental controls like heat and air-conditioning, music and television to help you enjoy your workout. None of these things are cheap, and beware the club that offers you the world for next to nothing, for the world you end up with may give you just that.
• Membership: Questions to consider: What types of membership plans are available? Does the membership system meet your individual needs? Do the membership plans offer possibilities for your family, friends and other potential workout partners? Does the club let you try before you buy? What about other members working out there? Do they simply go to the gym, or are they members of the health club community? Do they feel like a part of something, or do they need to be individually motivated to get themselves to their workout? Do the members feel cared about? Are they people like you? Do they find community there? What do members think of the staff, the facility maintenance and the equipment? Those who have already purchased memberships may be your most trusted source of inside information. Happy members are healthy members.
Remember, a little understanding will help you to choose a health club that provides you with the kind of support you need to be healthy. The investment you make in your own long-term health and wellness is reflected in the type of health club you can be proud to be a member of, and the money you invest in the short term will be reflected in your long-term quality of life.
Published in Cape Business November/December 2007
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