Ten Health Club Secrets

Joining a health club is a major decision. When you first visit or join a gym everything may look great from the outside. Unfortunately, there are many secrets your gym does not want you to know:

1)DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING- IT's CRAWLING WITH BACTERIA. Most infectious diseases are transmitted by direct or indirect contact. Perspiring bodies in close proximity make such contact higly likely. Anytime you touch a peice of equipment your hands are contaminated and should be washed. The spray bottles of liquid many gyms use to wipe down equipment helps somewhat, but additional measures such as wearing long sleeves and pants is recommended. Also, use your own towels and wear some type of footwear in the locker rooms.

2)IF YOU LAST 90 DAYS IT'S A MIRACLE. Studies show that most individuals drop their fitness program in 90 days. In fact, health clubs count on a 20-30% drop out rate especially after the January New Years's resolution crowd. Check the crowd situation by visiting gyms during the time of day you want to work out and see if waiting lists and time limits on machines are enforced.

3) OUR EQUIPMENT COULD BE UNSAFE. Gyms do not need special licenses nor do they need to follow special guidelines from reputable groups such as The American College of Sports Medicine. Gyms, their staff and their equipment are not always up to par because there are no standardization laws. Injuries often occur due to improperly maintained equipment. You can ask to view the maintenance books to see if a gym does regular upkeeps. Avoid any machine that sticks, doesn't move smoothly or feels like something may be loose.

4)WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF YOUR POSSESSIONS. If you wallet gets lifted from your locker the gym will not likely take responsibility. Many aren't aware that petty theft occurs often in health clubs. Don't consider your belongings safe in a gym locker while you workout. If you do use a locker, use a padlock with a key as they are harder to pick than combination locks.

5)UNBEATABLE DEALS. Not all gyms sell memberships at the same price to each prospective member. Most gyms have a tough sales staff which is trained to sell whatever kind of deal they can negotiate.

6)READ THE FINE PRINT ON YOUR CONTRACT. Many fast talking sales representatives can make you feel like you are getting the deal of the century. There may, however, be a few catches in the fine print. Always take the contract home and read every word of it.

7)GO AHEAD AND TRY TO QUIT. Many clubs make it very hard to cancel a membership by not returning cancellation calls or saying a refund check is in the mail when it isn't. Trouble canceling memberships is one of the leading complaints filed against health clubs with the Better Business Bureau. Follow your contract terms completely when cancelling a membership.

8) DON'T HAVE AN EMERGENCY HERE. About one third of heart attacks that happen outside the home or hospital occur in fitness centers or sports facilities. Most clubs are not prepared for such events. While most staff is trained in CPR, automatic external defibrillators are recommended by The American College of Sports Medicine for most clubs. The average club does not have this life saving device.

9)OUR STAFF ISN'T QUALIFIED OR KNOWLEDGABLE. There are no rules that state trainers need any certification and many certification courses are nothing but online flukes. Seek trainers with credentials from a reputable association, with several years experience, references and a background in one of the sports sciences.

10)GO AHEAD AND TRY TO SUE. Most fitness centers have you sign a waiver which protects them from lawsuits concerning bad machines, flooring problems, accidents and mistakes by staff which injure members. Most likely the court will rule on behalf of the gym except where gross negligence may have occured.

As you can see, there's much more to a health club than meets the eye. Fitness centers are businesses and have many of the less pleasant qualities that go along with running any money making operation. Awareness of the shortcomings of most clubs makes choosing a gym a much more informed decision.