The Right Club?

Before you join a club, Incorpore recommend you read the Office Of Fair Trading's Guide to Health Club Membership click here.

Some advice from the Incorpore team.

Choosing the right health club for you is a very personal decision. Whether an experienced exerciser or a complete beginner it is important to make sure the club is right before you part with your hard earned money.

In general the standard of facilities in the health and fitness industry has improved dramatically over the last five years. Clubs are larger, equipment is more advanced, staff are well trained and knowledgeable and the range of facilities and programmes on offer is growing by the minute.

Incorpore has a wide range and variety of health clubs in the corporate fitness network, so you can be sure that there will be something for everyone whatever you are looking for in a health club.

What are you looking for? It is important to ask yourself what you are looking to get out of your gym membership, are you looking to simply lose weight, or is it important that a club has créche facilities to enable you to utilise your membership fully. Is the club location important to you, a club convenient to your place of work would be ideal for lunchtime or post work exercise, however a club closer to home would permit you to exercise at weekends and even involve the family. Once you have a clear idea of the right criteria you are looking for in a club, you can then use our search facility or give our helpline a call to narrow your choice of club down.

Approaching a club

Select a couple of health clubs that you feel might be suitable and give them a call, arrange to view the club at a time of day when you would typically use it. This is very important as health clubs have peak and off peak hours and can provide very different environments at different times of day.

A good club will have someone to meet and show you round when you arrive, remember to ask lots of questions and take note of the general club environment, for example is the club busy? Are members queuing for equipment, are the changing rooms clean? Are there enough lockers to go round? Do the staff appear helpful?

Questions you might like to ask whilst touring the club could include:

• What are your opening hours?
• Do you offer personal exercise programmes?
• Are classes included and do I need to book?
• What are your peak times?
• Are towels provided?
• Are all your staff qualified?
• Will I get an Induction?
• Will my progress be monitored and reviewed?
• What are the terms of the membership contract?
• What is their cancellation policy?
• Is there a minimum time you have to be a member?

As an Incorpore member you are entitled to a free day guest pass*. It is often a good idea to experience a work out in a club prior to taking out membership. It will allow you to use the facilities first hand and get a real feel for the place.

*as per the individual clubs terms and conditions