10 Questions to Ask Your Next Health Club

Lots of people go health club shopping this time of year as September is traditionally the second busiest month for new memberships behind January and all those New Year's Resolutionists. We've compiled a list of questions for you to ask any potential new health club. You'll be bopping along on a treadmill in no time with this list in hand.

What are your hours? You want to make sure the gym is open at a time that's convenient for your schedule. Plus if they only offer limited hours, it's a sign that the gym is struggling for members.

How often do you clean the equipment? Sweat and bacteria mix really well; this is not good for you. Ask gyms how often they wipe down the equipment. The answer should be two to three times per day. Yes, members are supposed to clean up after themselves, but they don't always, and it's the gym's job to make sure everything stays clean.

How often do you clean the locker facilities? Another super important question; the answer should be frequently. A good health club will send people into the locker rooms hourly to clean and tidy up. There should never be towels on the floor and the sinks and toilets should be kept very clean.

What comes with my membership? Make sure group exercise classes and towels are complimentary. Health clubs will sometimes nickel and dime their members with dollar towel fees or a small charge for popular exercise classes like Spinning or Zumba. Sometimes a low monthly rate can actually cost you more in the end if there are fees piled on top of your membership.

Do you get a free personal training session? You aren't being greedy by asking for this. Health clubs want you to know how to use the equipment and want to start you on the road to health. They often will offer a free session or two with a personal trainer on staff, so take advantage of this. It's a great opportunity to ask questions and to have a safe, effective weight training and cardio routine designed just for you.

How long does it take to get equipment repaired? Cardio machines can break fairly often, but a good health club will have these back online in less than a week. Parts are readily available and there's no reason a treadmill should be out-of-order for weeks on end. Broken equipment means the gym is cutting corners, and if they're doing it where you can see it, where else are they doing it behind the scenes?

How old is your equipment? Almost all gyms work on equipment leases that run from somewhere between three and 10 years. After that they'll bring in new machines with all the latest bells and whistles. Most gyms don't buy their equipment outright.

What certification do your trainers have? You'll get a very telling answer here. You want to hear about organizations like ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) and the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association). You don't want to hear about online courses and quickie weekend certifications. You'll probably get an answer with a bunch of initials and you won't know what they mean. Ask the sales person directly how long it takes trainers to receive that certification. If you don't get a complete answer, write down the initials and look it up online before you sign a contract. Health clubs that care hire good trainers who go through lengthy certifications. Even better, some gyms will exclusively hire trainers with college degrees in areas such as exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy or athletic training.

Can you waive the initiation fee? Given the economic environment, most gyms these days are waiving their initiation fees. Back in the day the initiation fee would cover processing new members and the "free" personal training sessions. Nowadays the waiving of a "fee" is more of a sales tactic to help potential members think they're getting a deal. With some gentle negotiation, you should be able to get yours waived.

How can I terminate my contract? Make sure you know the terms of ending your contract if you choose to leave the gym. There are usually clauses that allow you to suspend a membership for a month or two (if you're away for the summer for instance) or if there's an injury that needs time to heal. There should also be a clause that lets you out of your contract if you move more than a few miles away. Don't expect to released just because you're not using the facilities. It's your job to come in, not theirs.

With these simple questions, you'll be able to get a lot of information to make the best decision for you. And once you've hit a stride at the gym, find out how often you need to switch up your routine to keep seeing results.