Twenty years ago, the idea of a night working out at the gym was alien to us all. These were the places where men with no necks went to work with weights, possibly while wearing leotards that displayed entirely too much nipple.
However, over the past decade, gyms developed into 'fitness centres' and we as a nation took a peek around the revolving glass door. The weights are still there, but the sweat has been wiped off. They are joined by shiny new rowing machines and treadmills, as well as swimming pools, Jacuzzis and squash courts. Gyms now offer a multitude of courses in not only aerobics but also in Tae Bo, spinning and curves.
And as doctors and health professionals continually insinuate that we are going to die in a sea of flab, joining a gym can be a great way to stem the tide. However, before you hand over your hard earned, there are some questions that you need to ask both yourself and the buff lady behind the reception desk.
Location is important. How likely are you to regularly attend session in a gym ten miles from your home or work? This is especially relevant for those who don't have a car. If your enthusiasm is low after a long day at the office, then you probably won't relish the prospect of hopping on the bus with a bag of swimming gear.
Choosing a gym that meets your particular needs is crucial. Make sure that you take a tour before you sign up and take a good look at all the facilities. What kinds of classes are on offer? Are they on at times that suit your schedule? Do they have the right equipment to suit your needs?
Aim to take your tour at the time when you plan to attend if you do join and see how full the gym gets. You should also check out if the equipment you plan on using has long lines of people waiting behind it. This is not only intimidating for the poor unfortunate sweating it up on the exercise bike/Stairmaster/snowboarding machine but it also means that your chances of getting a turn are slight.
Ask around to find out what kind of personal attention clients get - ideally, staff must be able to do more than show you how to work the equipment. For example, find out if there an option for personal training sessions. What do you think of the employees that you come in contact with? Are they friendly and attentive? No matter how good the facilities, if the staff members are more interested in toning their glutes than helping you learn, then it is not the place for you.
Don't be dazzled by special offers or 'one-time only' deals and give in to pressure to sign up on the day. Instead, take all the information you have gathered home and mull it over. If there is a deal on the table, ask if it can be extended for a few days while you make your mind up - you'll find that they can often make allowances!
Joining a gym can make a world of difference to not only your health, but to your stress levels and social life as well. So if the only exercise you ever get is running after ice-cream vans and you blackout when you put on your shoes, then it's time to consider joining up. Put the stick of butter down and get ready to reacquaint yourself with your feet… | 
