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Know what you want: Some clubs focus on group
instruction, others on the individual exerciser. You'll find clubs with
a dance emphasis; others cater to body builders, or take a "mind body"
approach, offering meditation, yoga, and massage. If you're a beginner
but plan to get into top shape, make sure a club offers advanced classes
and adjustable machines.
Visit the club at a time of day when you'd be likely to work out
so you can note crowded ness, client type, and classes offered. Don't
let high-pressure salesmen get you to sign a contract on the spot or pay
for a lifetime membership. Visit all facilities, looking for equipment
in working order, roominess, well-lit and well-ventilated areas, and
cleanliness. Workout flooring should be hardwood with an airspace
beneath-never concrete or anything, including wood, carpet, or rubber,
laid directly on concrete.
Ask about membership terms: Some clubs will suspend your
membership for a time so you can take a break without losing money if
you're injured, busy, or out of town. A club may also have an
arrangement that allows you to use other clubs either locally or out of
town when you travel.
Look for an established facility: The health-club industry is
volatile, and some clubs have closed without refunding members' money.
Get a report from the Better Business Bureau about a club you're
considering; make sure the club is bonded so that you can get a refund
if it goes under. Take the club's contract home. Read it carefully and
check policies on refunds and transferring memberships before you sign
or pay any money.
Source: Reader's Digest: The Good Health Fact Book
Disclaimer: All the information on this page is strictly
provided for informational purposes to better educate yourself only. It is
not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other
medical professional. Do not use the information contained herein for
diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any
medication.
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