Joining a fitness club can present you with so many choices and it is easy too end up having a headache, but they can be effective motivators. However, you need to asses what your priorities are and try to find a club that will meet these needs. Once you have done this it will make the search easier and hopefully you will be able to join a club that you will want to stay at. The most important factor is where your club is located as the biggest reason for people giving up is because they have to go out of their way to get to it; so a location close to where you live or work is preferable.

All physical fitness instructors have to be qualified before they can teach but make sure you are happy with his or her qualifications and experience. If you have particular requirements, your instructor needs to know, this will ensure they are fully qualified to teach you. You can ask the staff what services they offer, this will give you the chance to find out how helpful, friendly and professional they are. If you have an interest in learning martial arts for example, see if the fitness club arranges lessons as many clubs have resident professional in a number of fields.

The clubs opening times is also something worth checking because if you work unusual hours you need to know they will be open and whether the general programs on offer are what you are looking for. For people with specific needs like aerobic classes for example, see if the fitness club offers a free trial lesson for new members. Check if there is enough equipment for all the members otherwise, you will waste time waiting for your turn instead of working out. Modern equipment is safer and more comfortable to use but machines and other training facilities should be in clean and in good order so if you see a lot of ‘out of order' signs, it could be something to think about.

It is not unusual for clubs to have social venues and it is worth trying one of these to meet some of the members to see if they are the sort of people you will get on well with. It is important to know the monthly membership fee and what it covers as some clubs have hidden charges, also check to see if they offer services at an extra fee and how often they increase rates. You would be wise to visit a number of clubs locally because they all differ and you need to join one that you like and not because of other, less important reasons. Take your time, there is no hurry and be wary of clubs that continue to contact you about membership as there is a fine line between a courteous approach and pestering.