Your Guide to Joining the Right Gym


Whether you want to look good on the beach this summer or loose the pounds the thanksgiving turkey puts on, a gym membership could be just the ticket.

The facilities

The beauty of a gym is that everything you need is there. You can run, cycle, row, cross country ski, swim or take an exercise class. If you want to tone or build your body there are weight machines and free weights.

When the workout is done, relax in the spa and jacuzzi. Then have a massage and beauty treatment or a luxury body shower. Both men and women can be pampered to their hearts content and it's all under one roof. When joining a gym the range of facilities is the important factor but there are other things to consider.

Other than facilities? What else?

Think about the location. Is it closer to your home or workplace and when would you plan to visit? Would you normally go at the weekend from home or on the way home from work? Will the traffic be an issue at these times? Also check to see if there's enough parking available especially at a "center of town" gym.

If it's classes you're after, see if there's a good range. Make sure they have some scheduled for the times you'd normally go. See how popular they are, you'd want the class to have more people there than just you and the instructor. The best way to check all this out, is to get a complimentary pass. All gyms will let you have one day, but a little persuading should get you a whole week. This will enable you to get a sense of the general atmosphere and see how busy it gets.

Negotiate the cost

So you've found the gym you want to join, now comes the payment. Nearly all gyms will want you on a 12 month contract. Then there may be a joining fee and monthly payments on top of that. All payments and sometimes the contracts are negotiable. Swing this in your favour by applying towards the end of the month. Gym managers are often paid bonuses for good monthly figures so they'll be more inclined to drop their prices to include you.

You may also be told there's a promotion or some incentive that runs out at the end of the month. Take this with a pinch of salt, there's usually a promotion every month and they're all worth about the same so you wouldn't be missing out.

Why use a gym?

Ok, running, cycling, rowing etc doesn't have to be done in a gym, they're certainly more enjoyable outside. But the weather may be bad and the only body shower you'll get will be the rain falling on your head. Whereas in the gym the spa is only minutes away.

For total covenience these places just have to be sampled. So pop down to the local gym, get a weeks complimentary pass and give it a go, you won't regret it.

Simon Gould - http://www.FitnessBegin.com - Exercise, Health, Dieting and Nutrition...Explained!







Related News



Special session could be exercise in futility - Chicago Daily Herald

Special session could be exercise in futility
Chicago Daily Herald, IL -19 hours ago
By John Patterson and Nick Shields | Daily Herald Staff SPRINGFIELD - Next week's special session on the state budget is shaping up to be a 48-hour funeral ...

Workouts to become compulsory for tots - NEWS.com.au

Workouts to become compulsory for tots
NEWS.com.au, Australia -10 hours ago
CHILDREN as young as three will undergo compulsory exercise regimes of up to two hours every day in the state's preschools. The New South Wales Government's ...
Compulsory exercises for preschoolersSydney Morning Herald
parents must know how much their children weighTimes Online
all 22 news articles


Air Force exercise thunders over Townsville skies - ABC Online

Air Force exercise thunders over Townsville skies
ABC Online, Australia -20 hours ago
Townsville residents will rumble to the sound of F-111 engines for the next two weeks as exercise Northern Challenge roars overhead. ...

Exercise your blessings, America - Salisbury Post

Exercise your blessings, America
Salisbury Post, NC -18 hours ago
What if we lived in a country where we weren't allowed to go to church or read our Bible? What if we weren't allowed to go to church or attend school? ...

Outdoor buffs must exercise caution on smoggy days - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

Outdoor buffs must exercise caution on smoggy days
Los Angeles Times, CA -6 hours ago
Brisk exercise exacerbates the effects (when and how severe those are vary from person to person). Because muscles need more oxygen to work, breathing rates ...

When running with dogs, exercise with care - Houston Chronicle

Oneindia

When running with dogs, exercise with care
Houston Chronicle, United States -10 hours ago
As a rule, vets approve of running with most dogs because the animals need exercise. Some think it best not to run with short-nose dogs such as pugs or ...
Summer health care tipsOneindia
all 2 news articles

Post-Exercise Caffeine Helps Muscles Refuel - WebWire (press release)

Post-Exercise Caffeine Helps Muscles Refuel
WebWire (press release), GA -5 hours ago
BETHESDA, Md. (July 2008) — Recipe to recover more quickly from exercise: Finish workout, eat pasta, and wash down with five or six cups of strong coffee. ...

Missile-defense exercise held in Middle East - NavyTimes.com

stv.tv

Missile-defense exercise held in Middle East
NavyTimes.com, VA -12 hours ago
While not speaking specifically about the BMD exercise, he said naval operations in the area reflect the high stakes involved. “Conducting these operations ...
Bush keeps pressure on Iran but says diplomacy is still his first ...Minneapolis Star Tribune
all 889 news articles

Smaller gyms help exercise social skills - Los Angeles Times

Smaller gyms help exercise social skills
Los Angeles Times, CA -6 hours ago
As exercise-averse as I am, I'm always there three mornings a week, and it's at least partly to swap tidings and bon mots with the likes of: Jay, ...

Exercise, calcium can keep osteoporosis at bay - Palladium-Item

Exercise, calcium can keep osteoporosis at bay
Palladium-Item, IN -14 hours ago
Exercise is important is maintaining good bone health, as well. Weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running, aerobics, and weight lifting stimulates ...