One of the things you MUST pay attention to when you work from home is getting out of shape and weight gain. Over the past 6-8 years I’ve put on in excess of 50lbs and if I don’t do something about it soon I may have serious health problems.

It’s Work From Home Wednesday time… here’s today’s tip:

Before choosing a health club to join, do shop around!

A couple days ago we decided to drive around to some of the local health clubs in the area to get a feel as to what it may cost us to get memberships and what services were offered. We were BLOWN away by the prices. For the average membership you had to pay a sign-up fee  which is around $400, then a fitness test which is another $100, a card fee $25 and then the monthly fees which for both Caron and I worked out to be around $55. BTW.. those prices I quoted above is per person.

Here are some tips when shopping around (it helped us get a great deal)

- Let the person giving you the tour know that you are shopping around

- before you leave, have that person write down the prices  they quoted on their business card (see below for comments)

- tour the facility

- try to take a tour during the peak time so you know how busy the club gets and how long it’ll take you to get to machines

- if you have children ask about daycare  and if it’s free or no and what times it’s open
- ask about what time they operate, a 24hr club can be great.

- ask about all the classes they offer, if the membership includes those things.

- don’t make a descision there.. let them know you have to think it over. More than likely you’ll get a price drop since they want to get you sign up asap.

- take a close look at the machines to see if they are in good working order

* The reason why I mentioned above about getting the quotes on the business card. The last club we visited we used the best quotes we got when speaking to the “recruiter”. We said, club “b” offered us this price after he said it would cost us close to a $1000 for the both of us to get started. We walked  out paying $200.  When I look back at that $200 he said he could not waive since it’s a for a fitness test (like I need them to tell me how fat I am.. I wonder why I’m here in the first place?) and it’s for their insurance. Funny he said we must take that fitness test, but with the same voice..”but you can start working out today” even though we didn’t have that all important fitness test. Yea, another scam.

Remember these recruiters you speak with at the fitness clubs can and will make deals if you’re willing to ask and walk away. They want your business.

At 11 am today starts another chapter in my get-fit saga!

Chris…

p.s. also remember to pay attention to your bank account to verify that the amount being charged to you as monthly fees is exactly what you agreed on.