Buyer Beware: Make your Fitness Club or Gym Investment the Right ChoiceHere are some important things to consider in helping you make the right choice in a gym or fitness club. Consider these fitness club options. First, don’t write off small, independent gyms. Some of them are very good. Just because they don’t advertise as much as the big chains, that does not mean they might not be the best fit for you. Consumer Reports surveyed more than 10,000 subscribers who are health club members. Thirty-eight percent of the people who changed gyms in the last three years had at least one problem with their purchase. That’s a lot of buyer remorse. It doesn’t have to be that way if you do your homework. It may surprise you to know that local community centers, the YMCA, and Jewish Community Centers have the highest scores for overall satisfaction. When looking for a health club or gym, also consider studios for yoga, dance, or Pilates if those types of clubs fit your needs. The scored much better in overall satisfaction among members than the big chains did. Ask for a free trial – a week is ideal (many chains offer this), but even just a few day pass would be very helpful in the decision making process. Don’t be pressured into some contract that does not feel right to you. If necessary, take the contract home with you and have someone review it with you. If the gym is engaging in misleading tactics, it is obviously not right for you. Check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints on file regarding the health clubs you are considering. Judging by BBB complaints, most fitness club complaints center around contract disputes and billing issues. So, be sure you understand the terms of the contract (such as the cancellation policy, the life of the agreement, and the renewal process). And be sure the club you are considering does not have a track record of billing complaints. Watch out for the fine print in the contracts. In particular, be on the lookout for dues hikes and transfer fees. Find out what would happen if you moved. Could you still use your membership at another location of the same fitness club? Could you suspend your fitness membership during an unexpected leave of absence? Remember, what really matters is what’s in the contract, not empty promises from a salesperson. Some fitness clubs will bargain with you. So it doesn’t hurt to try bargaining before you agree to their offer. Some clubs might lower their enrollment fee or even their monthly rate. Does your fitness club have a special rate for students or seniors? It’s worth inquiring if you fall into one of these demographics. Once you are locked into a club membership contract, it can be difficult to cancel it. In the Consumer Reports survey of health clubs members, 38 percent of those surveyed who later canceled their fitness club membership at one of the big chains, had at least one problem doing so. Problems consisted of receiving bills after cancellation, or just extra hassle in canceling.
Related Physical Fitness Articles:Find the Right Fitness Club or Gym: Tips for finding the fitness club / gym that’s right for you: Fitness Club Reviews - Rating the Health Clubs and Gyms Return from this fitness club options page to the physical fitness category page |
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