“Health club” sounds pretty simple right? It’s must be about getting fit & healthy, but how is that any different from a gym? I have always loved the outdoors and found it really hard to keep motivated going to a gym and do indoor exercises, but having been a member of a health club for a while I can now see its benefits. Fitness in my view shouldn’t be limited to a quick workout, but a lifestyle as a whole where exercise is just a part. Of course it’s not easy to get the balance right as there are many components of daily life that need to match up, and in some periods they just don’t. Joining a health club is a great start to a more balanced life, as it on top of providing a great fitness environment gives a space just to relax & rewind. Many clubs offer pool, sauna & spa facilities, which I feel is a big bonus compared to a standard gym. Some days you may not feel like exercising at all, and spending time in a club’s recreational areas can add a lot to your life style. It can be hard to choose a health club, but here’s some tips on what you may want to look for in a health club.
The number 1 question to ask your self – What do I like?
The most important thing before deciding on a gym or health club, is to simply find out what things excite you. What do you like? What exercises do you enjoy and how do you relax? If you don’t like water activities or relaxing in the sauna, it doesn’t help you that the club offers great pool facilities. Or if you are mainly into cardio exercises, what do you need the big weight lifting part of the club for? Of course there’s always going to be areas of a gym or health club that you use less, or don’t use at all, but it’s important that you enjoy the majority of the things and activities offered.
In addition to the standard gym equipment, some Health Clubs include facilities such as:
- Badminton & Basketball courts
- Tennis & Squash courts
- Child care facilities
- Variety of classes & training sessions
- Pool & Spa facilities
Will you be using those?
Classes & availability
A great part of joining a gym or health club is the option to join classes. Usually most classes are covered by your membership, so you don’t need to worry about pulling out your wallet if you want to give something a try! I have found health clubs generally have a much greater variety of classes, which for me was another great tick for choosing a health club. Becoming a club member has meant that I have tried a lot of things which I normally wouldn’t have. It’s easy to give it a try, and if you don’t like it, you just don’t sign up for the next one. It’s as easy as that.
Examples of training sessions:
- Yoga
- Power plate
- Pilates
- Tai Chi
- Boxing
- Spinning
- Power plate exercises
- Aqua jogging
- Aqua Zumba
Things to check: What’s the timetable for the classes? Is it easy to book & cancel? What level? Try to get a feel for what audience a certain class attracts. It’s always nice to have someone to chat with, it is a club after all, so it’s meant to be a social thing too.
Recreational areas
A big plus for for some people may be the pool facilities and recreational areas such as sauna and spa, so if you enjoy those things, check how busy the facilities are, and the overall condition of them. If such recreational areas aren’t for you, look into what other clubs or gyms have to offer.
The obvious one – Cost & Terms
Yes the one always on the back of the mind -how much is going to cost? It can be a real hassle to get out of a contract if you change your mind with a gym or health club, so carefully look through their terms before signing up. How easy it to terminate the contract? and what are their payment terms? Also how close is it to where I live? If it’s too far you are probably not going to use it enough to make it a part of your lifestyle. Finally, do their opening hours suit me? And does the membership allow me to use partner clubs too?
So, does a health club sound attractive to you? Or are you happy with a gym? Either way, the main thing is to get the body moving, and I hope you’ll enjoy your workout where ever it may be.
