Protecting Yourself From Health Club Scams

By: Brad Howard

With our fast-paced lifestyles and our less-than-ideal dietary
habits, it's no wonder that health clubs and gyms are appearing
everywhere. These centers are very important for many people,
because it forces them to have the discipline to workout on a
regular basis. But do remember that gyms exist to make money.
And where money is involved, trust that there will be some
people who will go to great lengths to take it away from you!
Disgruntled gym and health club clients have plenty of stories
to tell. Learn from them and save yourself from shady gym
operators.

Health Club Scams 101

Ridiculously Low Rates - It's becoming increasingly crowded out
there. With so many gyms fighting each other over customers,
membership fees are plummeting. However, you should remember
that operating a gym is a very expensive endeavor. In order to
provide customers with the best experience, the gym or health
club must have plenty of operating capital. Low-end gyms, while
having much cheaper rates, mean bad exercise equipment, crowded
areas, less sanitary facilities and less customer focus. When
choosing a gym or health club, it may be best to go to the more
expensive places.

Beware of False Advertising - There are many gyms that advertise
low-rates, zero-membership fees, or some other way that you can
save when joining. However, most of these gyms get the money out
of the customer, one way or the other. Be sure to read the
contract for any hidden charges that they may impose. Others
advertise huge discounts, only to cripple or limit much or their
services until the member pays in full. Others, on the other
hand, flat-out lie about their services and member benefits. Be
sure to ask a lot of questions and inspect the service agreement
fully.

Dubious Accreditations - There are so many certificate-giving
bodies out there from state and community organizations that few
are worth more than the paper it's written on. Be sure to
double-check on what accreditations the gym claims to have and
see if they come from a truly prestigious or note-worthy
organization. The same goes for the so-called
certified-instructors many gyms have. Be wary and be sure to
research these claims.

Poor Equipment and Facilities - This is what you pay for the
most, the ability to use large, specialized equipment. Always
inspect the entire gym and its facilities before you commit to
signing up. The place should also be spacious - it should not be
crowded. Many gyms sign up more customers than they can actually
handle. The result is that many customers have to wait in line
to use the gym equipment they want. This also means that their
equipment is constantly being used and prone to more damage.

Sleazy Contracts - Always read what's printed on the service
contract. Three year memberships, high deposit fees, extra
charges - these can be all hidden inside the contract and its
existence conveniently not mentioned by the sales team. Always
turn on the alarm when you encounter provisions requiring you to
shell out more money or penalize you for cutting your membership
short.

About the author:
Brad Howard is the most prolific health and fitness marketer of
this generation. His new book, "Health Club Secrets" is
currently being featured in many news stories for it's
groundbreaking information on health clubs and
health club scams.