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Joining the gym
By Isabelle Kassam
Joining a gym is one of the most popular New Year resolutions - but it can be a costly one with too many people losing the wrong sort of pounds. Around 81% of people who join a gym ditch their memberships after just six months. The trouble is, they continue to pay for it, for up to four months after they've stopped using the facilities.
So what was a good intention to get fit can turn into a complete waste of money. The HealthClubBenchmark.com team at accountancy firm Deloitte tracks membership at clubs across the UK. Its research shows that 106,594 people joined major UK health clubs in January 2006.
"The first quarter of the year is the busiest time for health clubs and a popular time for joining," a spokesman explains. But with so many people losing enthusiasm it is important to pick the right gym from the start.
Public or private
The first decision is whether to join a private gym or use local public amenities. Don't rule out the latter - many people are surprised by the modern equipment and range of classes offered at public sports centres. They have adapted to survive in the highly competitive fitness market.
According to a recent report from the Fitness Industry Association, there are 2,596 public sports centres with fitness facilities in the UK compared to 2,890 private gyms. Big names such as Fitness First and David Lloyd Leisure have branches all over the UK.
Users of big chains say they offer consistent, high-quality service and the option of using other gyms within the chain. This is particularly appealing if you want a gym near home at the weekend and one near work during the week.
Monthly costs and joining up
But members pay more for private facilities. The average monthly membership at a small, local gym is £36.33 while the major chains charge an average of £46.98 a month.
It can also be difficult to find out costs before you sign up. Many gyms refuse to hand out tariffs and insist on booking appointments for new joiners to discuss their needs with an 'assessor'.
Clubs often offer periods when there is no joining fee, but small print can reveal 'administration charges' which can be as much as £55. This might include a gym-branded freebie such as a sports bag or water bottle, but you should be able to reduce this fee if you are prepared to haggle.
Be wary of any gyms that won't let you see the membership contract in advance. It could be that you are signing up to a credit agreement. Maria Godfrey, 44, of south London decided to join a local private gym near her home to enjoy free swimming with her two children at weekends.
"I was sick of spending Saturday afternoons in crowded and dirty public pools," Maria says. "The new gym was quiet at weekends and had a small pool which was modern and clean. But when I asked to take the six-page joining document home to go through with my husband, they refused. It put me off joining at all."
Getting the best deal
More than seven million of us have joined UK gyms - so how do we make sure we are getting the best deal?
According to Deloitte's research, joining on a 12-month contract usually works out cheaper than paying month by month - so long as you stick with it. Even council-run gyms have membership schemes that cut the cost of each visit by a pound or two. You have to work out how often you are likely to use the gym to make sure it is cost effective.
But you also have to ensure that you have the option to cancel without penalty - or at most a small one - if you decide the gym is not for you. Many gyms will insist you give up to three months' notice before you leave.
If you're lucky enough to work for a company with its own gym or one that has arranged a deal with a local club then this will almost certainly be the cheapest option. Another option is to share your membership with a friend - some gyms allow this.
When you are sizing up gyms, look at the cost of any extras. Your membership fee will usually include the cost of an induction with a trainer and a written exercise plan. Some gyms might also include a free personal trainer session.
However, look at the costs of regular classes and other facilities. Citizens Advice once handled a case of a woman who joined a gym in Liverpool only to discover that she had to pay £11 a month just to use the changing rooms.
If you do stop using your club, be sure to cancel your membership as soon as possible - and do it by letter rather than phone or email. Around 40% of consumers continue to pay by direct debit after they have quit a club. The responsibility for cancelling the membership, and the direct debit, rests with the club member.
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