The fitness craze is going gangbusters, with gym attendance up 23% since 2001, to 41.3 million, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). Most new recruits sign... [more]
10 THINGS YOUR GYM WON'T TELL YOU.
The Following Article Appeared in the Smart Money Section of MSN.com 10 Things Your Gym Won't Tell You
Not all health clubs are problem-plagued, but don't be surprised if yours is filled with illness-causing bacteria, employs a poorly trained staff and makes it expensive to quit.
Our Response:
With our quest to build the best gym experience ever, we’ve taken on this article point-by-point to prove to you why Burn Fitness is the #1 fitness destination around.
#2 "Don't touch anything -- this place is crawling with bacteria."
November 3rd, 2009
About 80% of all infectious diseases are transmitted by both direct and indirect contact, says Philip Tierno, the director of clinical microbiology at New York University Medical Center and the... [more]
#3 "We're not equipped to handle health emergencies."
November 3rd, 2009
Almost one-third of sudden cardiac arrests outside homes and hospitals occur in fitness clubs or sports facilities, says Mary Fran Hazinski, a registered nurse and senior science editor for the... [more]
#4 "Our trainers don't know what they're doing."
November 3rd, 2009
If you work out at a gym, chances are an on-site personal trainer will try to sell you his or her expertise. And with their Colgate smiles and buff bodies,... [more]
#5 "We won't let you quit."
November 3rd, 2009
If you think giving up the Ben & Jerry's is tough, try quitting your gym. Trouble canceling membership is one of the top complaints against fitness clubs logged with the... [more]
#6 "Be sure to read the fine print on our contract."
November 3rd, 2009
The devil is in the details, and it's never truer than when it comes to fitness-club contracts. Fast-talking reps may offer you a deal you can't refuse, but often that's... [more]
#7 "Our equipment can be downright dangerous."
November 3rd, 2009
Unlike many businesses, fitness clubs do not need a special license to operate. Furthermore, although the American College of Sports Medicine and other groups publish guidelines for the industry, they... [more]
#8 "Everything is negotiable."
November 3rd, 2009
Balloons and freebies often signal promotion time at your local gym -- most frequently before the holidays and at the start of summer. Already a member? Jot down these specials... [more]
#9 "If your wallet gets lifted, it's not our problem."
November 3rd, 2009
In 2003, the FBI put out a bulletin about a group of burglars stealing credit cards from lockers of health-club members on the East Coast. Since then, there's been no... [more]
This article was reported and written by Reshma Kapadia for SmartMoney.
