Joining a gym: ask these questions before you commit

Thinking of dropping a wad of cash to get fit? Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, says Jacqui Ripley

A good gym can offer a great deal in terms of equipment and expert instruction. Plus many of us find the motivation of classes helps keeps us going. But what should you be looking for in a gym and a gym contract? Here’s what the experts recommend:

‘Like anything, joining a good gym is a financial commitment, so you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible,’ says Andree Deane, Executive Chairperson of the Fitness Industry Association in London. ‘To start, make a list of your fitness goals and the activities you fancy. Then visit all the gyms convenient to your home or work, talk to the staff and hang out for a while to get a feeling for the place.’ If there is a gym that meets your needs, visit at least twice before signing up – once at peak time and again at the time you are most likely to use it. Here is a checklist of things to look for:

If your goal is aerobic fitness, make sure there is a wide range of cardiovascular machines, such as treadmills, steps, rowing machines and bicycles. Ask what each machine does, and make sure there is a ‘bank’ of each so you won’t have to queue up every time. Also, look for the small things that make you happy to be at the gym. Are there paper towels to wipe down the machines and plenty of water fountains? Do they have small towels you can use while you workout?If you’re interested in classes, check that the gym has a wooden spring floor to minimise impact on your joints. The constant pounding on carpet or hard wood floors can lead to lower back and leg injuries.If you fancy swimming, have a look at the pool (don’t trust the photo in the promotional leaflet). Some clubs have tiny pools, and if you’re into swimming laps you’ll want one at least 25m long.