50 The QUEE NS Courier • health • AUGUST 4, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com ▶health MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION By Ronda Addy Whether you call it a health club or a gym, it is important to choose the right one for you and it may not be the one offering the two-forone membership deal. You want the gym that best suits your personal needs and fitness goals. Here are some tips that can help you make your decision. Before beginning any exercise program at any gym, you should consult your doctor, especially if you have had health problems, have never exercised before or are starting late in life, or are pregnant. The gym you choose won’t need a letter from your doctor, but some personal trainers might. In most cases, the gym will ask you to sign a waiver so it won’t be held responsible for any injuries you may suffer. If there are several gyms in your area, you should visit most of them and ask people you know for recommendations. After you have narrowed your choices, you should visit each gym again. Take a tour and ask for a free pass. Use it when you would normally to see what the gym is like at that time. You may not feel comfortable working out in gym filled with 18- to 21-year-old guys. While on your tour, check out the qualifications of the staff. All personal trainers and group fitness instructors should be certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) or the American College of Sports Medicine. A good trainer should have taken a written exam and continuing education classes every two years. Every staff member should be trained in CPR, and for safety reasons, a staff member should be on the floor at all times. It is their job to make sure everyone is using the equipment properly and returning it to the right place afterwards. Check out the equipment. Is it state of the art or just the standard stuff? Is it clean and in good condition? Are the pads ripped? Are the floor pads swept everyday? Is there enough equipment for everyone, or are there long waiting lines? Is the temperature consistent, not too hot or too cold? Check out the amenities. Does the gym offer just workout equipment, or does it have a pool, sauna, racquetball or basketball court, steam room or hot tub? Does it offer babysitting, tanning booths, personal trainers and classes like aerobics and spinning? Does it offer a different membership for someone not planning to use the pool or other amenities? Check out the locker rooms. Are they clean? Do they offer any amenities like a hair dryer? Is there a separate changing area? Are the floors slippery? Are there enough lockers for everyone? Are the showers clean? Is there a place for soap or shampoo? There are several other questions you might want to ask about the gym. These include: • What is the monthly membership fee and what does it cover? • What programs and services cost additional? • Is there an initiation fee, and if so, how much is it? • Are month-to-month contracts available? • How often have the rates increased and by how much? • What is the cancellation policy? Can a membership be suspended for any reason? Is there a fee involved? • Can a membership be used at another gym or an affiliate gym when traveling? • What is the dress code? What kind of shoes are allowed? • Is there an area where members can socialize together? Are group activities offered like bicycle rides or runs? • Are guests allowed? • Is the parking lot safe, especially at night? Before you join any gym, do some further research. Talk with members to see what they do or don’t like about the gym. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the gym. Find out if the gym is a member of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). This indicates the gym follows a code of ethics designed to protect members’ health and safety and safeguard them against unscrupulous business practices. Joining a gym doesn’t have to be a painful process. Look at it as an investment in your health and your future.
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