Gym Tips: How to Find the Best
New Year, New Motivation: In January sports enthusiasts flock to the gym in droves to do something good for their body and health. This is indeed praiseworthy, but should also be well thought out - because in the various studio chains there are some significant quality differences, as a recent comparison of the Stiftung Warentest shows.
A total of seven fitness providers have taken the consumer organization under the microscope, including three premium studios with contributions of around 600 euros per year and four discount offers from around 260 euros annual premium. 35 trained testers have trained in five cities and completed five units per studio. All of them have introduced themselves as gym beginners - health check, fitness test, test training and individual training plan should ideally be part of the introduction.
Higher contributions = better care
The results are not surprising: low-cost providers perform worse than expensive studios. The test winners "Injoy" and "Kieser Training" receive the grade "good" for their introduction, discounters like "Easyfitness", "McFit", "Clever Fit" and "Easy Sports Fitness" receive only one "satisfactory" First "also scores" good "in this category.
The situation is similar with the availability and expertise of the coaches. At three out of four discount studios, it is just enough for a "sufficient". According to Stiftung Warentest, the trainers were often busy with other work - such as cleaning equipment. In addition, hardly any trainers responded adequately to the testers, who pretended after training to suffer from dizziness and numbness. After all: Equipment and training conditions rate the testers in all studios with "good". There are enough appliances, changing rooms and showers. However, saunas, swimming pools or courses are only standard with premium providers.
Conclusion: Compare worthwhile - and spend money too, because quality costs. Especially beginners need an offer that is tailored to their needs and training goals. The detailed report of the Stiftung Warentest you get here for 2.50 euros.
What to look for when choosing your gym
Qualification of the staff
The quality of a gym can be read in the opinion of experts, especially to the coaches. Inquire about whether certified sports teachers, state-recognized sports or gym instructors, physiotherapists or physiotherapists work in the gym. If the instructors employed there have acquired their license through several weekends or are only trained, caution is required. Anyone suffering from health problems should make sure that a trainer with an additional qualification in health sports, sports therapy and back training performs the instructions. It is also important when trainers have recently taken part in further education.
Individual advice and support
Before you decide on a particular studio, make an appointment for an initial consultation and a trial session. You can test the quality of advice and support for yourself if you consider the following points:
- Is an entrance test carried out? - Are your needs and goals, your physical fitness and health complaints asked? - Are basic motor characteristics such as endurance, flexibility and strength practically tested, preferably with simultaneous pulse control? - Is the test repeated at least every four months for your own performance? - Are your data documented in writing and kept accessible to the customer? - Is an individualized, tailored training plan created? - Is there a warm-up, for example on a cardio machine? - Does the staff respond to your questions and needs? - Are the exercises explained exactly during training? - Are hints given so that you do not overwork and hurt yourself?
Focus and range of services
The quality of a studio can also be measured by the focus and the bandwidth offered not only on equipment but also on courses. In the context of a meaningful training endurance, flexibility, coordination and strength must be trained. Rounding off a varied program with relaxation offers.
Equipment and atmosphere
The rooms should be spacious, the toilets, shower and changing facilities clean. In addition, there should be separate rest areas and a gym area of at least 60 square meters, which is separate from the equipment. Also important is the technical equipment: Do the training equipment have a TÜV and CE mark? Are they customizable, easy to use and not squeak? Do the devices make a well-kept impression? At least two types of endurance training equipment and at least 30 percent endurance equipment in relation to weight machines are recommended.
Contract: Term and Termination
Do you read the contract of the studio exactly? and avoid studios that want to push you to contract!
Gymnastic contracts are usually completed for a certain duration. A basic term of six months is legally unobjectionable. Because the studio operator must be able to calculate his costs for a certain time.Beginners should therefore insist on trial training before contracting to a studio. Fitness contracts often dictate that the contract be renewed for a period originally agreed or for a specified period of time, unless terminated. Contract extensions of more than six months are considered by most judges unreasonable.
If you train beyond the basic term, the contractual relationship will continue in practice. In such a case, you may terminate the contract within the statutory period at the end of a calendar month. The termination must be available to the studio by the 15th of the month. During the agreed terms, it is usually not possible to break away from the contract. Only for serious reasons, the studio owner must accept the termination without notice, for example, when moving, serious illness and possibly even during pregnancy.
Tip: Information and assistance with problems with gym contracts are provided by the Consumer Advice Centers.
