So you made the commitment, you are ready to get fit, lose weight. The gym closest to your home might seem like the best option, but do some research before you buy that membership.
What seems like the best buy may not be a good deal at all. Check to see how well the equipment is maintained. Seeing torn upholstery, treadmills out of order or only a handful of patrons is sign that gym is in trouble.
When a gym is in trouble, it is likely to change hands or go out of business. If this happens, you may well find yourself to be the proud owner of gym membership with no gym to go to. This could cost you hundreds of dollars and leave you feeling frustrated and angry.
I have had such an experience. A gym I was attending switched hands and myself, along with many others were left high and dry when the new owner decided that it was not in their best interest to honor the contracts that had previously been sold.
If you find a gym that seems to be the perfect fit and there are no noticeable red flags, I would still have to recommend to never prepay for more than 3 months at a time. This way, if something does happen, your damage is minimized and in the end, you can help ensure that you get your monies worth while you get in shape.