(ARA) – There's no need to run yourself ragged at the mall searching for that perfect gift for a friend or loved one. Why not give them the gift of health and well being: a fitness center membership.
According to the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, those who exercise regularly reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoarthritis and premature death. A gift that will encourage someone to exercise definitely shows you care.
But don't just purchase a membership at the first club you see. "Do a little research first," says Brooke MacInnis of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the agency that promotes racquet sports, fitness and athletic clubs in the United States and throughout the world. Among the things MacInnis says you need to keep in mind: amenities and programs offered, convenience, price, hours, and motivational atmosphere. "You can get a good feel for how the center rates on those things by taking a tour before buying a membership," she says.
Through your own observations and by questioning your guide and current members, use the following checklist to determine if the club you're considering will meet your gift recipient's fitness, social, and safety needs:
* Is the club clean and well maintained?
* Are staff members friendly and helpful?
* Are new members provided with a club orientation and instruction on how to use equipment?
* Do fitness staff members have appropriate educational backgrounds and/or certification from nationally recognized certifying agencies?
* Does the club have cardiovascular, resistance and free weight equipment? Does it offer enough equipment to meet demand?
* Does the club offer a sufficient number and variety of programs (aerobic, racquet sports, basketball, etc.)?
* Does the club offer instruction in a sport or activity (tennis, racquetball, squash, swimming, etc.)?
* Does the club offer a sufficient number and variety of programs for people who want to achieve other goals (stress management, weight management, social activities, etc.)?
* Is childcare available?
* Is adequate parking available?
Life Time Fitness, one of the fastest growing health and fitness companies in the nation, designs its facilities with these points in mind -- and more. Its 33 locations across the country all have state-of-the-art equipment, and offer a lot of amenities: 24 hour access, educational seminars, athletic leagues, free lockers, free towels, free group fitness classes and free childcare. Furthermore, all the centers have a resort-like environment, featuring spas, cafes, and indoor-outdoor aquatic parks.
"Our centers exemplify the absolute best in health and fitness centers, programs and services, and family-oriented amenities," says Mike Brown, senior vice president of operations. "With our large, beautifully appointed spaces, multitude of state-of-the-art equipment, wide range of programs and individualized member services, and much more, our guests will feel like they belong to a luxurious sports and fitness resort, not your average 'health club.'"
Brown says you should look at the pricing strategy too. A lot of clubs require you to sign year-long membership contracts and impose stiff penalties if you decide to cancel before the time is up. Life Time Fitness has no contracts and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Perhaps the most important factor to take into consideration is the atmosphere. Talk to friends and coworkers who you know workout and ask them what they think of the place they go. "And when you go to check the place out, look around. Make sure the people you see exercising are having fun, not just sweating and grunting. It'll make all the difference in the world," says MacInnis.
Life Time Fitness makes a trial of its sports, health and fitness centers easy via a free, 7-day pass you can find online at
www.lifetimefitness.com. Life Time Fitness operates 33 health and fitness centers in eight states nationwide.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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Courtesy of ARA Content
