| There are many benefits to gym membership as well | | | | to $300 per month. Some gyms do offer payment |
| as negatives to consider. Finding the right gym can be | | | | plans on a per visit basis, usually for a premium, or |
| difficult. If you are a female you would not necessarily | | | | even on an annual basis, typically at a discount. |
| want to join a gym for bodybuilders, and likewise, if | | | | Always ask any gym you consider joining if they offer |
| you are a male, you will probably not consider joining a | | | | a free trial membership, or if they will allow you to take |
| Curves Gym for women. Many establishments also | | | | a tour of the gym before you join. |
| have a minimum age for joining a gym. | | | | Of course, gym membership becomes even more |
| The variety of fitness equipment found in gyms | | | | expensive if you a trapped in a contract and you stop |
| typically far exceeds anything you could dream of | | | | going. With all of your other obligations in your life, it is |
| owning in your own home. In addition to weights and | | | | easy to forget about the gym. If you stop going and |
| workout equipment, most also offer treadmills, exercise | | | | are unable to get back into your routine, try to get out |
| rowing machines, elliptical machines, and stair climbers. | | | | of your membership and stop paying the exorbitant |
| Gyms may offer tennis, racquetball, and basketball | | | | monthly fees. |
| courts, as well as swimming pools, saunas, rock | | | | Privacy is also an issue for many who join gyms. Being |
| climbing walls, and running tracks. You may even be | | | | surrounded by other people, in either better or worse |
| able to hire your own certified fitness instructor for an | | | | shape, can be intimidating and distracting. It is difficult to |
| additional charge. These personal fitness trainers will | | | | be yourself when you feel like there are other people |
| help you learn the ropes and develop an exercise | | | | watching you. |
| routine specifically for you. Other professional staff | | | | Gyms can be messy, unsanitary, and even stinky. |
| can include nutritionists who will work with you to | | | | While the majority of gym members make an effort |
| develop a diet to help you reach your goals. | | | | to clean and wipe the equipment after each use, some |
| Professional gyms usually offer a multitude of classes, | | | | do not. These can leave sweat, germs, and body odor |
| such as cycling, aerobics, kickboxing, Yoga, Pilates, and | | | | on the equipment prior to your use. As with any |
| many more. Combine these with the excellent | | | | environment where many people gather, the gym |
| opportunity to meet new people and socialize with | | | | atmosphere can help spread colds and other airborne |
| your peers, and gym membership seems like the way | | | | illnesses. Showers and locker rooms are especially |
| to go. | | | | prone to germs. |
| But, there are some negatives to joining a gym. | | | | Overall joining a gym can be very worthwhile. It is up |
| Membership can often be expensive, between joining | | | | to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons, and if |
| fees and membership fees. Some gyms still charge a | | | | you can find a membership in your price range. |
| one time "set-up" fee to join, which can range from | | | | Remember to ask for a free trial or a tour before |
| $75 to $300 depending on the gym. In addition to the | | | | joining any gym. |
| joining fee, memberships can cost anywhere from $30 | | | | |