Your exercise options
August 14, 2001

By SUSAN KINZIE
Raleigh News & Observer

Jeff Taback is at the gym at 5 every morning to work out for a couple of hours. And most of those weekdays, he comes back after work at IBM, too. “I just feel good after I work out,” he said, looking sweaty but chiseled and happy as he raced away on an elliptical cross trainer at Genesis Health and Fitness Club in Raleigh, N.C. on a recent evening.

OK, so you’ll never work out twice in one day, ever. But you see people like Taback and start to think about changing your sluggish ways — you start to think about joining a gym. And you want the perfect gym for you, a place that will make you jump out of bed before dawn for the sheer joy of working out.

But the odds you’ll keep with a new exercise regime aren’t great. Nationally, less than half of new exercisers are still active after six months, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. So how can you make sure you’re not in the half that’s going to quit? How do you choose a health club that you like enough that you keep going back?

The number of choices can be overwhelming. Flip through the yellow pages and you’ll see pages of fitness centers — and the number of clubs is growing steadily. Still, fitness experts say with a few guidelines you can narrow your options and pick the right place.

To find the right gym, experts suggest you keep three things in mind: convenience, cost and compatibility.

Most important, many people say, is convenience. Pick a health club that’s nearby — ideally close to both your office and your home.

“That’s key,” said Amy Yonowitz, a 29-year-old lawyer who works in downtown Raleigh; she chose a health club that she drives by on her way home from the office. “If I go home first, I’m on the couch with the TV on.”

Then check the hours it’s open. Some gyms are open 24 hours a day. Figure out when you’re going to exercise, and visit the gym then. See if there are long lists of people waiting for equipment, or cars parked on the grass.

If you have children, you probably want a place that has a nursery or supervised games for kids.

Then think about how much you’re willing to pay. Rates vary wildly — anywhere from $10 to $75 or more a month. So ask lots of questions: Does your company have a group discount? Are there lower rates for your age group? Do they have family memberships? Is there a joining fee? What happens if you quit?

Finally, find a place that’s compatible with who you are and how you want to work out.

Look around. Is it dreary? Intimidating? Too hot? No way are you going to drag yourself there. You want to make this as painless as possible, so think about what you would enjoy doing. Do you want kickboxing classes? A pool? Lots of big heavy weights to lift? Massages?

Think about your goals — losing weight, lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your knees for mogul skiing, getting out of the house. Whatever they are, make sure the gym is going to help you achieve them.