YOMAG - Body & Beauty - Muscles, Workout and Money

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Muscles, Workout and Money

Berlin 1. 03. 2001

Fitness Studios

A lot is offered by fitness studios and clubs to satisfy fitness junkies. But how can you tell whether the fitness studio around the corner is actually good?

Sweaty bodies on tough machines. If the first thing that springs to your mind is the steel industry from 100 years ago, you're pretty wide of the mark. Workout is the new keyword and thousands are getting into shape by heading to fitness studios.

Whether it be aerobics, tae bo, the stair climber or the bench press - a lot is offered by fitness studios and clubs to satisfy fitness junkies.

But how can you tell whether the fitness studio around the corner is actually good? A fitness studio is only as good as the training that is done there. So take advantage of the free trial period which almost every club now offers. And while there, take a good look around to see how others train and if this is something you would like to continue doing.

And now a few basics for a good workout:
Before you start your training it's a good idea to have a personal training program drawn up. The program should take into account your age and present condition. Your trainer should be qualified as either a certified personal trainer, physical education teacher or physiotherapist, or at the very least have gained experience by working in the fitness branch for several years (Remember, you can always inquire about his or her qualifications). Additionally, the personal trainer should point out mistakes you're making in form and how to correct them. A good training program should also include a warm-up to start and a cool-down to finish up.

A very important point is the contract that is concluded between you and the fitness studio. Since this is what is binding, so even if you feel comfortable with the contract, it's better to take it home to read it thoroughly.

Frequently trouble has arisen when someone tries to end the contract, and for that reason you should pay careful attention to any conditions regarding the termination period as well as the contract period. Usually, the longer the contract period, the cheaper the monthly fees. However, if you're joining a fitness studio for the first time, it might be a good idea to first conclude a shorter contract just to see if it's really your thing.

Very often, automatic contract renewals are built-in to the contracts which extend the contract indefinitely, that is until you terminate the contract yourself - and that can often take a lot longer to do than you planned originally.
As well, there are sometimes clauses contained in the contracts which the courts would regard as improper or inadmissible. This means that fitness studios are not allowed to rule out all liability or prohibit you from bringing your own drinks from home.

If you have any doubts relating to the contract, the consumer's central office in your area will most certainly lend you a hand.

A fitness studio is not the only possibility you have to stay in shape, remember you can always train with a sports clubs, ride your bike more often or play football to keep you young and your body strong.

Here a slice of cake, there a hamburger. If you want to train away the small sins of sport you have a lot of work ahead of you:

15 min of jogging = 2 glasses of cola or one portion of grapes
30 min of cross-country skiing = 50g of walnut cake or a hamburger
30 min of bike ridding = 3 scopes of ice-cream or 2 granola bars
30 min of swimming = 30g of potato chips or a banana
30 min of playing tennis = 0.5l of beer or a small piece of fruitcake