SANTA ANA, California 鈥擨t鈥檚 a new year, and you want to transform that body of yours. It鈥檚 a natural instinct.
It鈥檚 an instinct that the owners of fitness centres anticipate. They can see you and your mile-long list of resolutions coming down the highway.
Despite the sluggish economy, people are flocking to gyms in greater numbers than ever: An estimated 51.4 million people were going to fitness centres at the start of 2012, according to an annual survey conducted by the Boston-based International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, a trade association representing gyms. That鈥檚 up 12.8 per cent from four years earlier. Members went an average of 102.5 days during 2011, about twice a week.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the highest we鈥檝e tracked,鈥� said association senior research manager Melissa Rodriguez.
This is why, against all inclinations, you should wait a bit before signing up for a gym membership. Many health-related businesses seem like they鈥檙e peddling some sweet deals out there, but the law of basic economics applies: When demand for a product or service is high, the price point for it rises in kind.
Instead, use this first month of 2013, when the sales crews at gyms already are eagerly signing up new clients, to test the waters. Find a place that really suits you 鈥� your goals, your personality, your schedule and your budget.
Here are a few tips for your painstaking, well-researched, totally-not-hurried search:
What works for you? Not to get too philosophical, but if you really like Pilates, you should probably go to a Pilates studio. Or take dance classes, or swim in the mornings, or go to an ice rink. If you like watching ESPN while logging miles on the elliptical, go with that.
What can you afford? If you spring for an expensive gym membership 鈥� say, $80 a month 鈥� that works out to $19,200 over the course of 20 years. Many big gyms have everything you could imagine. If you鈥檙e only using a fraction of it, you鈥檙e overpaying. Don鈥檛 buy too much gym.
Compare and contrast: Many gyms have free trial periods, measured in sessions or days. Take advantage of this and see whether you like a particular class, whether machines are maintained well, whether the locker rooms are kept clean. The sales rep doesn鈥檛 need to know you鈥檙e trying five other gyms at the same time.
Investigate the really great deals: This is especially the case with bargain gyms or specific memberships. Check the fine print to see if your visits are limited with that super-cheap monthly rate.
Wait till the end of the month: As personal trainer Jason Anderson writes, most gyms have quotas. 鈥淎t the first of the month, these sales goals don鈥檛 seem as daunting to employees as they do in the last week of the month,鈥� he advises. Making a commitment later in the month enhances the odds that you鈥檒l get a deal.
Bargain: When the moment of truth comes, negotiate. Ask if they鈥檒l waive that exorbitant initiation fee, or throw in some guest passes or a couple of personal-training sessions for free. There might be a discount if you bring along a friend to sign up. It doesn鈥檛 hurt to ask.
See if your employer, or your insurance company, will reimburse you for the monthly cost.
Check out neighbourhood alternatives. There might be a YMCA or a community centre in your city that you鈥檝e never investigated. If you have kids, the Y has play areas that can come in handy, in addition to tons of activities and programming for everyone in the family.
鈥淲e have seen in our study that it鈥檚 not uncommon for members to belong to more than one club,鈥� said Rodriguez, of the gym trade association. 鈥淭hey might belong to one that鈥檚 close to work and another that鈥檚 close to home.鈥�
Whatever works for you and your lifestyle.
