Fitness Journal: Joining a Gym, Sign on the Dotted Line

When it comes time to joining a gym, you need to sign on the dotted line. In this way gyms and cars are a bit alike. As with cars, it begins with sales. Membership at many gyms, particularly larger chains, is handled by salesmen. Unfortunately, like their auto counterparts, gym salesmen are viewed as deceptive. While many salesmen are hardworking and honest, there seems to be many that are willing to meet a sales quote at any cost, even if it means lying or omitting information; then there are those who just don’t know anything and end up giving the wrong information.

Most likely you’ll sign up without a hitch. At the affordable no-frills gym I joined, there was no salesman involved, just the front desk. The process required filling out one page of paperwork, signing a one-year contract, and handing over a credit card—done. At the second, costlier but full-featured gym I joined, I worked with a salesman on signing up for the membership. Although the process seemed routine, I ended up having to deal with unresolved problems that, unfortunately, the salesman no longer wishes to deal with. Without going into details, there are some things to remember before and after you join.

Here are a few key tips for an improved gym experience:

• Use the web and do some research. The web has become an awesome resource, especially when it comes to user reviews of particular products or services, including gyms. Review sites like Yelp or ConsumerAffairs.com offer plenty of information from users and in-house reviewers about gyms, from neighborhood joints to national chains. If a gym has more disgruntled user comments than positive ones, that’s a good sign you should avoid a particular gym. Also look up a gym’s Better Business Bureau profile and see if there are any complaints there (I found that many gyms aren’t BBB affiliated and have received “F” ratings, including super high-end ones). In addition to the web, ask friends and family for word-of-mouth recommendations. Although one of the gyms I joined received a bit of criticism on the web (more than I would like, I must admit), I received positive recommendations from friends; it’s easier to trust friends than strangers, but nonetheless do your homework.
• Don’t sign anything! That is, don’t sign until you are absolutely ready. For example, unbeknownst to me, after I signed an electronic pad for credit card approval, my signature was captured and used to populate all documents, including the contract before I had the chance to review it; I had assumed that I would sign a contract physically with a real pen. So, even though I thought I was signing for one thing, it was also used for another.
• Ask about everything. Even if your questions seem inane, they’re not. Remember, you’re going to be locked into a contract, and it’s better to make sure all your concerns are allayed beforehand. It’s not a bad idea to have your salesperson put things down in writing, like on the contract itself. Some things to ask: How often do they clean the facility, are there peak times that you need to be aware of (some membership plans prohibit you from using the gym at certain times in exchange for a lower fee), do they offer towel service, etc. Heck, take home and review the contract’s small print overnight if you need to.
• Find out about the exit clause. How easy or difficult will it be to cancel your membership? As part of your inquisition, make sure you are aware of any fees or charges that you might incur if you bail on a contract if you sign up for one, but also find out how you can avoid paying any fees through loopholes. For example, at my no-frills gym, I entered into a one-year contract in order to get the low price. The only way to cancel is to pay off the remaining months I have left, so I may as well hold on to the membership (hence, why I have two memberships). But they also explained that if I had moved and it’s no longer feasible for me to frequent the gym, they would end the contract without fees. At my fancier gym, I am on a month-to-month plan and I can quit at anytime. However, to quit requires an official written statement that needs to be processed at their out-of-state headquarters, which may make things a bit difficult especially since there’s no easy way to contact anybody at their headquarters.
• Find out if you can use other gym locations. If you join a chain, oftentimes you get access to other locations depending on your membership plan. Before you join, be sure you can access those other locations as part of your plan. Because some gyms work independently of one another despite being under the same brand, they don’t necessarily honor each other membership agreements. Issues like this can be difficult to resolve later on, and may end up costing you more money to “upgrade” your membership (a shady sales tactic, I know). The salesmen are doing what they need to do to get that sale, so it’s up to you to do what you need to do to make sure you don’t feel cheated.
• Trainer certification. The guys (usually) are ripped (usually) and talk like they know what they’re doing, but those aren’t guarantees that gym trainers were properly trained themselves or certified by an agency like the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association. (For example, when I joined my first gym, I was offered a “complimentary” assessment by a trainer. He pushed me so hard that I actually became sick and bedridden for a couple days after the so-called assessment.) As you would with joining a gym, find out about a trainer’s certification and experience before you sign up for a personal training plan.
• Don’t get angry if something doesn’t go right. It’s easy to get upset if you feel scammed. Oftentimes we feel buyer’s remorse and, through no fault of the salesmen, we lash out at them anyway. But if the salesmen did not fulfill his end of the contract, do voice your displeasure, but to the right people. Consult the gym’s manager or the company’s regional manager and explain the situation. Usually they are willing to help and correct a problem. For example, I’ve been working with a regional manager on an ongoing problem with my membership. Although I’m frustrated the issues hasn’t been resolved, the regional manager has been responsive and is attempting to help.
• Make friends with everyone who works there. You may end up with free smoothies!

Once you join, don’t make excuses. You’re paying for the gym, and unlike insurance this is something you want to pay for and use!