So you want to join a gym

The best thing we can do for our children whether they're in utero or watching our every move is to lead by good example and live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. I often hear of women who decide to kick start their workouts when they find out they're pregnant or, once baby's here, they want to lose the "baby weight". But is a gym membership your only option? Is it really the best option? The gym isn't for everyone and it's better to decide that before you spend a large amount of money.
For every gym I have been a member of, I had the same desires and I personally love my gym because it offers everything I want.  Here's my list of musts:

• Early hours: I love my sunrise workouts and want to finish before I go to work so it must open early.
• Close location: Even with a car, I don't want to have to drive very far to get there. In university, I wanted to be able to walk.
• Free weights: I like my own workouts once in a while where I can completely zone out.
• Classes: While I love my own workout, I need motivation and the spice of something different. I find myself more accountable when I decided a class I'm going to go to.

Here are some tips for making the most of your money and ways to find the right workout location for you.

"The gym":
In every city, there is "the gym" of which to be a member and it is very easy to become a member. Similar to how we get sucked into a cell phone and cable package, you can get caught up in the excitement of a gym membership. Unfortunately, I hear time and again of people who are paying for a membership card that has never actually been scanned at the gym! Interestingly, even after a year of not going, people will very likely sign up again!

Is the gym right for you? Ask yourself these questions:

• Why am I going to the gym? If it's to get in shape, there are HUNDREDS of other ways to do this that are a lot cheaper. You need to really think about what you want out of it.
• Will I go? Be honest. The gym will not encourage you to get on the treadmill for an extra 10 minutes, the gym will not track what you're eating, the gym will not even notice if you show up. If you need motivation, a general gym membership might not be the best option.
• Do I need childcare so that I can go to the gym? If this is the case you can either go when you have someone available (many gyms are open 24hours a day) or you need to find a location that has childcare available.
• What do I want to do at the gym? I personally love to do free weights listening to my music. I also love the encouragement of group fitness classes. Find what you want to do.  If you are looking for a group fitness environment, check out gyms that offer classes and try each of them at least twice. The first time you will feel completely lost and that's ok and is to be expected. That next time, you will know what equipment you need and you'll have a feel for the activities. Be sure to let the instructors know you're new and they will take the time to set you up and keep a closer eye on you throughout the class. If you want the workout on your own but are unsure of what to do, hire a personal trainer.  A few sessions to learn the equipment and get some exercise ideas is a much better investment then paying the gym without actually going to it.
• When do I want to go? If you plan on working out at 6am but the gym only opens at 7, then it's not going to work for you. If you want to go at lunch time but there are no showers then you're going to be less inclined to go. The gym should fit into your lifestyle not the other way around.

I even helped my mother get a membership and she did go quite often, at first. Then life began to get in the way and she realised, she didn't want what the gym had to offer. She was very happy with her morning walks in the fresh air with friends. She wasn't going to do free weights and didn't enjoy the machines. She certainly wasn't going to take the classes (despite having a daughter who taught them!). So why was she paying for the membership?

Get the most for your money:

• Memberships: Be sure to ask about corporate memberships, students memberships, family memberships. Many organizations (ie teachers, government workers, Hi-tech firms) are linked to fitness companies and there are deals to be found. Some gyms offer discounts for additional members of your family so it's worthwhile going in together.
• Free passes: before you actually buy the membership, try out the gym. Reputable gyms will be happy to offer short-term passes or invite you to go with a guest (you may have to pay a small fee). Take advantage of the time to look around.  Look for's:
• cleanliness (you don't want to even think about what can be found so check if there are cleaning bottles available to wipe down equipment)
• layout: you may not be comfortable doing weights with all the heavy lifters so look to see if there are areas where you will want to be
• schedule: if you're looking for classes, check that they fit into your schedule. Try out the classes to see if you actually like them. Check that the hours of operation fit into your schedule.
• trainers: if you're looking for personal training, watch to see how the trainers interact with their clients. If you're paying for it, you want to make sure you have someone who is attuned to your goals and is watching for your safety.
• Seasonal Incentives: There are certain times of the year the gym will be more likely to offer specials (ie no enrollment fees, special monthly pricing, etc.).  This happens most often at the beginning of the year, beginning of summer and in the fall. They may also offer free stuff like bags or tanning packages.
• Info sessions: A reputable gym will offer a some sort of intro to their gym as part of your membership. Be sure to spend the time going over any equipment you are unsure of. They may also have staff available to help you at any time without having to pay extra. Some gyms offer various workshops to help members feel more comfortable (I know my mom went to the "intro to machines" several times).  If you're new to classes, there are often certain classes especially for newbies.  Think of it as you wouldn't hit the black diamond if it's your first time on skis so don't go for the advanced Step aerobics if you've never done it. You'll just end up frustrated and be less likely to try it ever again.
• What's included: Some centers offer specific memberships for certain parts of the gym, (ie Pool membership, classes, general workout area, etc.) so you only have to pay for what you want to use. If you want a few different things, look for a center that includes everything with their costs so you have options available.

The other options
"The gym" is not your only option for a fitness routine. Think again about what you want to do at the gym and what you want out of your experience. If you do not see yourself lifting free weights but you do see yourself in group fitness classes, check out some of these ideas:

• Yoga studio: do you want a calming yet energizing workout? Perhaps a yoga class is right for you. Similar to the gym, most studios offer intro packages and pricing.  There are also MANY different types of yoga so be sure to try a few different ones.
• Run club: Running stores (like the Running Room) often offer group runs and walks in the evenings or weekend mornings. I made use of these when I was training for my half-marathon, it's a lot easier to finish a 15k run with a group. You can find out what distances and levels are going out and there is almost always something for every level.
• Pole dancing: This is a new craze and is awesome! I took a class once at a bachelorette party and while I would certainly never be able to make a living off it (I definitely felt sexier than I looked!) my back, abs and arms were aching the next day and we had a fabulous time in the class.
• Belly dancing (or other dance classes): Again, a lot of fun! Your abs are going to love you for this workout!
• Eating programs: If you are looking more towards balanced diet than specific exercise, you may want to consider an eating program (Weight Watchers, for example) that will motivate you to eat better. I used Weight Watchers in university because although I love fitness, I really didn't know how to balance my food intake and it helped me lose 20 pounds. Many woman use this program in particular to help with the "baby weight" because they actually educate you on balancing your eating with nursing. Remember that food is very important when pregnant and post.
• Bootcamps: Another fabulous group fitness idea that's geared to many different desires. There are many that cater specifically to women (and for a specific goal) and some are designed to include baby. You can also often find them outside and inside depending on what you want.

This list is certainly not exhausted but the most important thing to consider: Will you actually do it? Think about what kind of motivation you need to kick start your fitness. It is proven that people are more likely to stick to something if they are held accountable and the fitness industry knows people are more likely to workout if they go with a friend. If you have no one to go with, it might be a good idea to sign up for a specific class that takes attendance or has limited enrollment rather than just going to something on a weekly schedule. You will feel more accountable to participate. If you team up with a buddy, be sure to be there for your friend as much as she/he is there for you. Whatever you do, be sure to love it!

See you at the gym!