Only by being on site will you be able to conduct the following evaluation. Appraise the staff. There was a time when just about any muscle-bound ape could get a job in a gym, but increasingly, you should expect club staffers to have credentials. The greater number of staff members that are certified, the better. Certifying agencies include the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise and the Cooper Fitness Institute.
Credentials are just the start.
If staffers answer the phone rudely or ignore clients so they can continue blathering to each other about last Saturday night, put a black mark in your mental book. Expect staff to be friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. And make sure that their first order of business is having you answer a questionnaire about your health and goals, which they should be eager to see if they're to tailor your program, says McNeil. Inspect for cleanliness. Pay particular attention to showers and locker rooms, where moisture can foster growth of bacteria and fungi.