If you're thinking it's time to join a gym and get in shape -- you've got plenty of company. In fact, almost 13% of all new gym membership sales occur during January, according to William C. Howland, Jr., a spokesperson for the International Health, Racquet and Sports Association. But making the commitment to a fitness club can be an intimidating process. After all, most gyms look pretty good when you're an outsider, so how can you be sure you're choosing the right one?
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"This is the time to cut the excuses and start doing your homework. Considering that only 25% of those who join a club will actually use it, it's important to do your research and not just join for the sake of joining," says Dr. Walter R. Thompson, PhD, Professor at Georgia State University and spokesperson for the American College of Sports Medicine.
Location, Location, Location: Given that you will probably be looking for every excuse in the book to avoid working out, make sure you find a gym that is convenient to your home or office. But this shouldn't be your sole deciding factor -- just because it's close doesn't make it the right club for you.
The Members Matter: Check out who belongs to the club. You don't want to join a gym overrun with body builders if that would intimidate (or distract) you. It also helps to have members who you would want as friends. "Research has shown that most types of socialization increase happiness, which can result in the positive development of habit. If you're getting an effective workout and having a good time with your friends, that's a win-win situation," says Dr. Alan Manevitz, M.D., Clinical Psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center.
The Staff: "Look to see if the club brags about its staff -- do they have a 'wall of fame' that lists the education and training of the people who are working on premises?" suggests exercise physiologist Tracy York, author of 'Health Fitness Management' and manager of the Lake Austin Spa Resort. "Trainers and group fitness instructors should be certified with one of the following: National Academy of Sports Medicine (www.nasm.org), American College of Sports Medicine (www.acsm.org), or American Council on Exercise (www.acefitness.org)." Personal trainers/fitness specialists should also have an educational background in exercise science, kinesiology, cardiac rehabilitation, biomechanics or adult physical education.
Class Doesn't Always Matter: If you're interested in taking classes, look into the variety of programs offered and ask if they're included in the club's monthly membership dues. But remember -- it's not just the number of classes offered or who teaches them that matters. For instance, if you like yoga and the only yoga class is in the afternoon, and you work in the afternoon, then that club doesn't work for you.
Try It Out: Be wary of a club that doesn't give you a free trial membership. It helps to see if the facility will coincide with your individual needs. Most of the major chains offer some type of trial: Bally's and Gold's have a two-week free trial, and 24 Hour Fitness offers 10 days.
Pay Attention: During your trial membership, pay attention to the details. How clean is the facility? Is the music too loud? Is most of the equipment in working order? Are new members offered a club orientation and instruction on how to use equipment? Is there a fitness and health assessment? Make sure the club is a place where you would enjoy spending time. Is childcare available if you need it, and does it cost extra? How crowded is the club during peak hours? "Clubs rely on the fact that only 10% of their members will use the facility at one time -- and given Murphy's Law -- that entire 10% is likely to be there when you're there," warns York.
Do a Background Check: Before you join, talk to current members about their experience with the club. Additionally, the Better Business Bureau and/or the State Attorney General's office can tell you if any complaints have been registered against the facility.
Review the Contract: Be careful what you sign -- ask plenty of questions -- and don't let anyone tell you, "it's a standard contract -- don't worry." Find out exactly what the membership fee is and what it includes. What happens if you want to cancel? What about if you move away? Is there an initiation fee? Many clubs have a variety of payment options, so find a payment schedule that meets your budget needs, and be wary of any sign-up specials that require payment up front. Dr. Thompson also recommends avoiding automatic bank withdrawals because they "are hard to stop once they get started." Finally, if you are joining a new club that hasn't opened yet, make sure that any deposits or payments you make are held in an escrow account until they officially open. According to Howland, many clubs are bound by state law to protect members from fraud.
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CHARLES STUART PLATKIN is a nutrition and public health advocate, founder and editor of DietDetective.com, the health and fitness network and author of The Diet Detective's Calorie Bargain Bible (Simon & Schuster, 2007). Copyright 2007 by Charles Stuart Platkin. All rights reserved. Sign up for the free Diet Detective newsletter and iTunes podcast at www.DietDetective.com
WESTCHESTER, Ill. – A study published in the May issue of the journal SLEEP is the first attempt to quantify the strength of the cross-sectional relationships between duration of sleep and obesity in both children and adults. Cross-sectional studies from around the world show a consistent increased risk of obesity among short sleepers in children and adults, the study found.
"Slow Burn" trainer Fred Hahn offers up 20 fat-burning ideas!
After reading and reviewing his fantastic book entitled The Slow Burn Fitness Revolution in January, I was not just enamored by the overall fitness philosophy of personal trainer Fred Hahn who advocates lifting weights slowly as the safest, most effective way to build muscle. But after interviewing him at my blog and realizing he promotes a solid controlled-carbohydrate nutritional approach to work in tandem with the "Slow Burn" program, I knew Fred was somebody I wanted to hear more from in the future.
Not a day goes by that I don't hear from people wondering what they can do to help turn the tide of negativity about livin' la vida low-carb in our culture because of the tremendous changes that have happened in their lives as a result of making this healthy lifestyle change for themselves. When something this good happens to you, then you just can't help but go out and tell everyone you know about the amazing experience you have been able to enjoy thanks to low-carb living.
And yet, there's still this major barrier in the way of celebrating the victory that is deservedly ours--the opposition to low-carb diets that continues to dominate in the media from government groups such as the Food & Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture, and health organizations like the American Medical Association, American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association. The daily hammering of the high-carb, low-fat message gets to be a bit nauseating after a while and it tends to wear a lot of the enthusiasm down even from people who are very enthusiastic about the low-carb way of life. I'll admit it even happens to me from time to time.
A pioneer in the fitness industry, who has helped millions to get fit, Gilad Janklowicz, continues to inspire and lead, with his consistent message, “keep it simple”.
This year Gilad’s television show, Gilad’s Bodies in Motion, now airing on Discovery Fit TV, celebrates its 25th anniversary, making it the longest running fitness show in history. Seen in over 80 countries world wide, in a viewer’s poll conducted by Discovery, Gilad won the title of “Television Fitness Instructor of the Year” in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Recently Gilad created a new fitness show for Fit TV, Total Body Sculpt withGilad, designed to give viewers a dynamic new concept in fitness that focuses on functional exercises, dynamic strength, toning and core training. Gilad was inducted into Israel’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and into the US National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2007.
No matter the medium, the message is consistent and commanding, states Gilad, "Fitness is a journey not a destination".
Heather Bauer is a Registered Dietitian specializing in the interrelation between eating habits, metabolism, and lifestyle. Since 2001, the has offered private diet and nutrition counseling through her New York city-based nutrition practice, Nu-Train.
Ms. Bauer received her RD from the University of Wisconsian and started her career in the pre- and post-natal nutrition unit at Maimonides Medical Center in New York, and as a nutritionist at Equinox Fitness Club in New York. She is also the author of The Wall Street Diet (Hyperion, 2008).
Calorie Bargain: Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
The Why: The reality is that one in four American women dies of heart disease, and according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “most fail to make the connection between risk factors—such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol—and their personal risk of developing heart disease.” Plus It’s a 2 days away from Mother’s day – and if this is a pretty good way to say you love your mom --- recipes to help her live longer. As the recipes in this special collection show, you do not have to lose flavor to gain heart health and "keep the beat". Enjoy "Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken," "Red Hot Fusilli," "Crunchy Pumpkin Pie," and "Summer Breezes Smoothie." Contains more than 100 pages of tempting heart healthy, taste-tested recipes sure to please you and your family. Turn your meals from "ho-hum" to "yum-yum" experiences.
Calorie Bargain: Quaker Simple Harvest All Natural Dark Chocolate Chunk Chewy Granola Bars (www.quakersimpleharvest.com)
The Why: When I first heard about these bars I was skeptical. Typically these large food companies make bars like these filled with ingredients you can’t pronounce. But these bars are not that. Not only do they taste great, they’re made with decent materials – including whole grain oats Nice job Quaker.
Join the Diet Detective's Weight Loss Program for unlimited access to meal plans, food and activity trackers, education sessions, and all the tools you need to lose weight. just $49.95 PER YEAR!
If you're thinking it's time to join a gym and get in shape -- you've got plenty of company. In fact, almost 13% of all new gym membership sales occur during January, according to William C. Howland, Jr., a spokesperson for the International Health, Racquet and Sports Association. But making the commitment to a fitness club can be an intimidating process. After all, most gyms look pretty good when you're an outsider, so how can you be sure you're choosing the right one?
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A pioneer in the fitness industry, who has helped millions to get fit, Gilad Janklowicz, continues to inspire and lead, with his consistent message, “keep it simple”. 
Heather Bauer is a Registered Dietitian specializing in the interrelation between eating habits, metabolism, and lifestyle. Since 2001, the has offered private diet and nutrition counseling through her New York city-based nutrition practice, Nu-Train. 
Calorie Bargain: Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Calorie Bargain: Quaker Simple Harvest All Natural Dark Chocolate Chunk Chewy Granola Bars (
