Make sure gym works out for you before signing up

If you resolve to exercise, lose weight, eat healthier or all of the above in the new year, you're not alone. Health clubs, yoga studios and other fitness facilities can offer extra motivation, such as the support of fellow exercisers.

Lisa Oliver attends boot camp classes at a gym in Atlanta, Ga., where she has worked out with a trainer and roughly the same group of people since 2004. "I guess misery loves company, so to speak," she says, laughing. "We're all there, and we try to get there for each other because we know we don't want to be there by ourselves. It's the camaraderie."

Michelle Martin agrees. "It's very much of an incentive walking between the rows of machines in between sets," she says of her membership at a health club. "I would miss it if I didn't go on a regular basis."

Ginny Vose is more than halfway to her goal of losing 60 pounds at Curves. She first chose the gym because she wanted to feel comfortable while working out. "That made it much less scary," she says of the women-only atmosphere. She liked the support the staff gave her, too, and now she works as a coach there.

A club often costs more than exercising at home -- hundreds of dollars more, in some cases. And getting there takes more time out of your busy day. But if you like having access to many pieces of equipment and prefer working out with others, a gym or health club might be right for you.

Here are some things to consider when making your choice.

Determine your fitness goal

You might hear that you should figure out what your fitness goal is -- what you want from your workout. If you're so new to exercise that you really don't know what you like, a facility with a variety of classes, equipment and features can introduce you to different activities. That way, if you find one exercise boring, you can move on to something else. The staff can help, too.

"We sit down with (clients) and find out why they're here, what their past (workout) history was, and we design a program for them," says Mike Mills, membership director of the Midtown Athletic Club at Windy Hill in Marietta, Ga. They follow up with clients later to make sure their needs are being met.

Working with pros

There's no official school to be a personal trainer. But numerous organizations certify trainers, and each has its own set of criteria and qualifications.

"Finding a personal trainer is almost harder than finding a therapist," says Debbie MacLean, a certified athletic trainer and a manager of operations and health management at Coca-Cola's downtown Atlanta fitness facility. "With a personal trainer, you're going to be doing things that you may not want to do. You need to click with them."

Ask trainers what certifications they have or are pursuing. If you have health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, your trainer should have knowledge and experience working with similar patients.

"I would ask them, 'Have you ever worked with a diabetic before? Are you aware of signs and symptoms if I were to have a problem?' " MacLean says, adding that a trainer should be asking questions about your condition as well.

Before you sign up

When you visit a fitness facility, have a list of questions ready, including:

What are the annual and monthly fees? Are there additional fees for towels or mats? And does your membership cover guest passes at clubs in other cities?

If you have a specific health problem, can the staff address it with the appropriate exercises? Do they have a first-aid plan for emergencies?

How old is the equipment?

At what times are classes and pieces of equipment most crowded?

And ask yourself:

Does the club reflect my interests? Is there enough variety to keep me motivated? On the other hand, am I sure I won't be paying for programs and services I'll never use?

Is the club and its equipment clean and in working order? This includes locker rooms and other areas not devoted to fitness.

Are the staff members and trainers friendly and helpful? Do the fitness pros have appropriate credentials?

Do I understand the membership and cancellation policies?

Finding a club

The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association offers tips to help find the facility that's best for you:

Ask friends, family members and co-workers where they work out and why. Word of mouth can make or break a fitness facility.

When you shop for a health club, look for one that has programs and services that appeal to you.

Look for one that's convenient -- close to your job or home, so you don't have to make a special trip to work out. And it should be open at the time you're most likely to exercise.

Consider clubs that have services that would make it easier for you to work out -- such as baby-sitting or women-only fitness areas.

Sign up for trial memberships or use a temporary pass to find out how crowded the facility is and what the atmosphere is like at the time you plan to exercise.