Here's my 10 best tips to finding a great health club
1. Location is everything. Try to find a club within 15 minutes of where you work or live. Check the parking situation, nothing worse than driving to the club only to sit waiting for a parking spot. There are some excellent web sites that will make your search time efficient for example http://www.thefitmap.co.uk/healthclubs/index.htm,
http://www.thefitmap.co.uk/healthclubs/index.htm
2. Look for Clubs that offer time-effective and efficient workouts like Les Mills group fitness classes. http://www.lesmills.com. BODYPUMP® and RPM® are are easy choices. Life is too short to spend it in the club, but - of course - you want to look good, too. If your a Baby Boomers and don't have the time or even the inclination to look like fitness models, chances are you still want to be in shape and feeling 10 years younger.
3. Look for Clubs that offer certified and experienced personal fitness trainers (PT's). Sometimes the latter is better, if in doubt ask for testimonials. A PT will accelerate your induction and make sure you get a result. A membership only guarantes you access to the club, your personal PT will guarantee you use it. With a PT you'll get expert coaching and make a new friend. Go on, invest a little more into your wellbeing.
4. Look for Clubs that offer Mind Body classes like Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and BODYBALANCE®. These workouts build flexibility and strength and leave you feeling centered and calm. For the musically inclined try BODYBALANCE® for a unique mind body experience. Also keep an eye out for personal trainers who include Yoga and Pilates moves in their workouts, this provides a more holistic approach to training. For you it means more variety and less boredom.
5. Look for Clubs that offer functional training and core training exercise programming. True core training exercises involve all your core muscles - not just your rectus abdominis - in stabilizing your spine and controlling the relationship between your rib cage and your pelvis. The latests toys to play with include Swiss Balls, Bosus and Kinesis Racks. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_ball; http://bosu.com/; http://www.technogym.com/business/_vti_g13_kinHome.asp
6. Look for Clubs that offer Small Group Strength Training . This means you pays a small fee as part of a group (generally 4-6 people) working with a trainer. Check out the latest version of this in New Zealand. http://www.lesmills.co.nz/news_content.cfm?&newsid=317 . The power of small group dynamics cannot be understated. What's not to love? Also look for no-frills, boot camp fitness classes. http://www.lesmills.co.nz/news_content.cfm?&newsid=318
7. Look for Clubs that offer Youth strength training and general fitness programming for kids. There is huge move toward programming for teen and youth weightloss. Todays exercise options are safe, fun and effective. Today's fitness professionals are making youth and teen exercise options "cool" again.
8. Look for Clubs that offer senior fitness options -sometimes disguised as Baby Boomer programs http://www.lesmills.com/site/programs/bodyvive-group-fitness-program.aspx. Check details of program content when enquiring. We cant stop aging but we can definitely slow the process with effective exercise and nutrition. Its never to late to start.
9. Look for Clubs that offer clean facilities. A personal favourite of mine. Always check the shower and toliet facilities first, this is usually a good benchmark for the rest of the club. Dont except anything less that what you would expect at home. Hygiene is right up there with holiness .
10. Look for Clubs that have staff with an inclusive and positive attitude. Great staff can make your experience life-changing. Unless you desire minimalistic attention find a club with staff that makes you feel comfortable. Know clearly what level of attention you want and seek it out. The acid test is to ask 3 different members in 3 different areas of the club. If you get 3 negatives responses , strike three, your out!
