Joining a gym? How to avoid gimmicks
If you’re planning to get fit in 2012, you aren’t alone. More than 10 percent of new gym members join in January, with some clubs seeing an increase of 30 to 50 percent. And the fitness industry takes full advantage of this trend, enticing prospective members with promises of “lower monthly fees” and “no initiation fee,” while traditionally increasing new membership rates. Here are some tips to avoid getting duped when it comes to improving your fitness this year.
1. Read the fine print. Most gym contracts include an auto-renewal clause, so you will be signed up and charged for the next period no matter how often you go. A 30-day notice of cancellation is usually required—forcing you to pay for an extra month.
2. Pay as you go. A study in the American Economic Review that surveyed nearly 8,000 gym members over a three-year period found gym-goers who paid per visit instead of monthly saved an average of $600. And members who paid by each visit were 17 percent more likely to stay enrolled beyond one year compared to members who committed to a year upfront.
3. Negotiate. Research the gym and its competitors and know what services you want. Talk with your friends about how much they pay, and then say: “My friend pays this price—can you match it?” Ask the manager to waive the enrollment fee and check for membership discounts if you join with a family member.
4. Get engaged. The most common mistake new members make is start the right way. Members that take advantage of all that their club has to offer during the first 90 days are more likely to stick with their workouts.
5. Join after January. Join a gym when the initial January fad has worn off. Twenty to 30 percent of New Year’s resolution gym-goers stop attending the gym in the first three months, leaving fitness clubs willing to court new members.
Source—Men’s Health
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