What you need to know before signing up at a new gym
If you didn't practice restraint over the holidays (or throughout all of last year), that's okay, folks in the fitness business are here to help. In fact, they're counting on you and all of the new "resolutionists" to get them out of their holiday doldrums.
But before you run out and renew that gym membership, here are a few things you should consider that might help you have a healthier relationship with your gym in 2016.
1. Location is key
If you're a city dweller, the gym you end up choosing should be a walkable distance from home or work or at least be accessible via public transit as research has demonstrated that proximity directly correlates with usage rates. If the gym is too far away you'll be less apt to go.
2. Consider the amenities
Having a breadth of amenities at your disposal is quite clutch, especially if that lineup includes basketball courts, a swimming pool, an indoor track, and unlimited access to group exercise classes. In most cases those fringes are accompanied by steep membership prices. When crafting your goals, keep in mind which of these "extra" offerings are essential to achieving them and ensure that your prospective gym offers what you are looking for—without a hefty markup.
3. Be wary of promotions
Unlike the post-holiday specials offered by retailers eager to shed themselves of cumbersome inventory, gym "promotions" are generally ploys to get you in the door to be bombarded by sales representatives. Don't fall prey to the old bait-and-switch. Call ahead and take to search engines and social media to find out what the gym is like when it isn't running a special. And remember, if you do get cornered by a sales rep, you don't have to make a commitment on the spot.
4. Watch out for extended contracts
Some gyms, including a few of Philly's fitness juggernauts, still require their members to sign an annual contract. Once signed, a majority of contracts become hard to break even when unexpected things arise like relocations, loss of employment, medical issues and military deployment. One now-defunct national chain made the headlines a few years ago by attempting to collect dues following a member's death.
Gyms are kind of like gym socks; you want to be comfortable in them, but you'll probably want to change them from time-to-time. Any reputable gym will offer month-to-month or shorter-term options than a full-year contract.
One contract that I'm actually a fan of is the gyms that offer "behavioral contracts". These are more like an agreement that helps keep you motivated. They include your goals and they lay out how the gym will help you meet them—and if you have to "break" them it won't damage your credit rating. So if you think you could use an extra bit of incentive to get to the gym on a regular basis, this sort of "contract" might be for you.
5. Read the fine print
Even if you've successfully avoided a long-term contract, you should still keep an eye on the language used. It's almost guaranteed to be chocked full of unnecessary fees -- including "rate lock" fees, "convenience" fees, and the inevitable "cancellation" fees. There's not much you can do to avoid them, but be aware that the "advertised price" might not be the total amount that you pay.
Also keep an eye out for any language that locks you into an automatic renewal or fees that are automatically debited from your account—they might seem convenient at the time, but they won't be when you're trying to change gyms.
6. Find your niche
With hundreds of gyms in the Philadelphia area, finding one that meets your needs should be easy. Yet each one offers a different atmosphere and their own training methodologies. Whether it's full of machines and weights, or looks more like a garage, it's imperative that you determine if the place is a good fit. To do this, visit the gym during peak hours, or the hours that you will likely be accessing it, and ask for a tour. Better yet, ask to workout so you can get a true feel for the gym. Any good gym will let you take a freebie workout if they care about getting you as a customer.
7. Value versus price
While a $10-per-month gym membership seems enticing, very rarely do they provide any discernible value. So before you clog your key chain with another barcode tag, consider everything the gym offers and know that low cost does not necessarily beget great value.
Joe Giandonato is the manager of health promotion at Drexel University where he assists with their acclaimed A Healthier U employee wellness initiative and oversees fitness programming including personal training at the Drexel Recreation Center, a 2015 Readers' Choice recipient for Best Gym / Sports Club.
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