Health Club Membership 101

If you decided to join a fitness center you’ll need to weigh your options and there are quite a few. Here’s a list: Contracts, billing, aerobic classes, amenities, hours or operation, cancellation policies, customer service, strength training equipment, free weights, cardiovascular machines, cleanliness, machine maintenance – out of order frequency, ac / heat efficiency.

Yes, it sounds like a lot of homework, almost as laborious as the workout itself. But wait, other people have been down that road before and luckily left notes on whether their experiences were bumpy or smooth. Besides doing your own due diligence here are a few more ways that may provide a great help in making your final decision. Check your local Better Business Bureau (BBB)! The BBB has a rating system that all companies are graded on. Grab your list of potential health clubs and check up on their Grade, the number of complaints, the type of response and how many complaints were left unanswered. A second source of information I thought was terrific but uncontested were on line watch dogs (below) fielding fitness center consumer complaints and frustrations.

Let’s review quickly. Select 3 to 4 health clubs you are most interested in. Speak with a sales associate, figure out your damage options long and short. Get some sort of complimentary guest pass to investigate yourself as well as asking current members what they think of the gym. After all the research you should be able to find a clear winner!

Complaint Wire

My 3 Cents

Pissed Consumer

Complaints Board

Consumer Reports Gym Complaints

Hope this helps.

Mark Degen, B.S., ACLS, ACSM, ACE, LMT