Getting in shape is a very healthy and smart choice. But, what is the best way to do this? Dieting and/or exercising on your own, with a friend, joining the "Y", joining a heath club or spa, or what? All have their pros and cons, but out of all these, the health club or spa is probably the most risky - as one looks at it from financial basis.
Why is this? The number one reason is the cost. Out of all your choices you will probably pay the most for a health club membership. Then, too many of them make you sign a contract and lock you into a rate and specific terms. Now this isn't necessarily bad, but you should know what you are getting into before joining one.
Therefore, before signing on the bottom line, make sure you ask all of these questions and make sure they are adequately answered and understood by yourself.
- Can the Club, or spa, explain the fees and the requirements that will be associated with signing a contract.
- Can you visit the spa and look around? If you do, make sure you visit when you would plan on going there. This way you can see first-hand how busy it will be when you are there and you won't be in for any surprises on your first visit. Also while visiting, check out the cleanliness and the type and age of the equipment.
- Does the club offer trial periods in which you can go a few times and see how it will be? If so, you need to find out if this is free or will there be a charge for it. This may be more expensive now, but it may save you much money in the long run.
- Find out about how many members they have. Now all of them probably don't come, but maybe they can fill you in on how many active members they have and when the busy times of the day or weeks is.
- Find out when it is open, or if it is open all the time. Also, make sure you understand if you can come anytime or if there are certain times when you can't come - for whatever reason.
- Do they have special trainers, or maybe even classes, that you can get help from. If so, what types of qualifications do these people have?
- As mentioned in the first question above, make sure you are familiar with all the details that they say are in the contract. Tell them you would like to take the contract home and read over it. You don't want to be trapped into making a hasty decision by signing on the spot.
- Ask about canceling the contract. You need to understand this well because you never know what will happen in the future if you have to break the contract - you may or may not be able to get a refund or a partial refund. On the other hand you may not get any refund and may even have to pay out the remaining payments in your contract. Ask if there are any special allowances for cancelling, like if you injure yourself or move away.
- Lastly, this isn't a question to ask the health club or spa, but you may want to check with your local authorities (i.e., consumer protection agency or similar) to see if there have been any complaints from members of the club.
There you have it. Nine important questions you need to know before signing up at a health club. Joining a health club can have very many wonderful benefits, but more times than not, it can also cause you much grief as you find out something that you didn't expect. When this happens, it is usually too late to do anything about it, because if you signed a contract, you are stuck with it for the long haul - just as with cell phone companies and their contracts they lock you into. So be wise, thorough and not too hasty and you'll make the perfect decision
Bill has been writing articles for over 5 years. Come visit his latest website which discusses HP Inkjet Cartridgesand why the HP printer ink cartridges are the best cartridges on the market. |
