Fitness centres - how to choose one Part 2

Choosing a fitness centre

Before you join up, shop around and visit several facilities. Take a tour and ask questions. Observe the classes and programs that they run. Take notes on what you like and dislike about the facility. Key points to consider include:

• Location
• Activities, programs and equipment
• Support and staff
• Business practice
• Membership
• Atmosphere and image.

Location

Factors to consider:

• For your fitness routine to be successful, exercise has to be convenient. You’re more likely to use a club if it is close to either your home or workplace. While you don’t want to choose a health club based only on location, joining a club that isn’t convenient will mean you are more likely to find an excuse to stop going – if lunchtime is the only time you have to exercise, consider joining a fitness centre near work.
• Make sure your club is open when you plan to go. Check timetables to find out whether you can attend the classes you want.

Activities, programs and equipment at fitness centres

Factors to consider:

• Make sure the fitness centre caters for the kinds of activities you like and that meet your personal fitness goals – for example, personal training, free weights, aerobics classes, Pilates, swimming and so on.
• Boredom can set in if you don’t have enough variety in your exercise program. Make sure the fitness centre has a variety of equipment, programs and classes that will keep your interest.
• Consider how important it is to you that the centre offers other facilities such as child minding, parking or a coffee shop.