Chris Labishak Managing Partner Renee Sarracino Health & Fitness Director

In recent years, exercise and health has been in the forefront of news and television. Most good health clubs should be doing their best to create a fitness environment where members will be so happy that they view their club as a place they'll want to visit and exercise daily. A quality club dedicates considerable time and research to finding the right kinds of equipment, hiring the right kind of personal trainer, and scheduling the right mix of classes. These are all important facets of fitness and are critical to achieving success with exercise.

That being said, there is another consideration for anyone looking to adopt a truly healthy lifestyle. Due to our hectic lives and demanding schedules, sometimes exercise itself can become a source of stress as we try to figure out how to fit it in. We know that we should exercise, but how do we find the time?

Fitness is going through an evolution of sorts. Health clubs are beginning to look at the total wellness package when offering fitness options. In providing more than just a physical means for people to exercise, many clubs today are focusing as much attention on the emotional and social dimensions of wellness. When a club provides the right environment that addresses multiple dimensions of wellness, exercise can be perceived in a more positive and enjoyable way and lead to a reduction in people's daily stress levels.

The goal of all good health clubs should be the same, whether they're targeting past club members or those who have never stepped foot in a fitness facility: To discover what that individual's wants and needs are for joining a health club, and then to find solutions to create the right environment for that individual to succeed.

Find out what programs and services are included in your club's membership plan without an additional cost. For example, a good idea for a club is to acquire information needed to better understand the individual's previous and current health and fitness lifestyle, including what the individual is looking to get from his or her club membership. The customer relationship formed with member services provides the member with ongoing supportive assistance.

The fitness arena inside the club provides an inviting equipment smorgasbord for the new and regular exerciser. You can enjoy the club experience with all of the various cardiovascular machines, state-of-the-art strength machines, benches and free-weight equipment. Available at most clubs are an extensive selection of functional training equipment, stretch trainers, balls, bands and more. There needs to be plenty of variety that appeals to the diverse taste of club members.

Since many people drop out of exercise before they even get started, the initial orientation services provided are very important to initiate and maintain member contact, especially in the first 30 days. Quality clubs will offer a first-rate equipment orientation program. These individual sessions with the fitness team provide support, encouragement and enjoyment for the member, which will enable them to use any and all of the equipment efficiently and properly.

In addition to the orientation program, members should be offered an introductory fitness assessment with the club's exercise physiologist and also an orientation follow-up with the health and fitness director. This wide scope of individualized service is not readily available at a typical gym. Those health clubs that share our mindset of fostering an environment that is conducive to meeting multiple dimensions of wellness are the clubs that possess the formula for success. This sought after success is found in the positive changes made in its members' lives through regular exercise.

Now that you've seen what some of the fitness offerings should be at health clubs, you can make wiser choices in your search for a quality health and fitness facility. After joining a gym, fitness center or health club, you probably have a general awareness of the club's makeup. You can maneuver through the cardio rows and can distinguish between a StairMaster and StepMill. You can navigate around the strength circuits for a total body workout. You know where the stretching area is located, along with the posting of the group exercise class schedule. The next big question is "Do you know how to work it out?"

Some of your questions as a new member may still need to be answered, such as "How much time should I schedule to exercise?" "What equipment should I use?" and "Why should I make the time when I'm already so busy with my life?" Each individual has his/her own physical make-up, personality, lifestyle habits, health and fitness goals and schedule. Some of the questions stated above may have already been answered during interactions with the fitness staff or other club professionals. In any case, a general review can be helpful to any exerciser.

The "TIME" Factor. Your schedule of daily commitments will guide you towards finding some open slots for your club visits. You may need to rearrange some of your tasks or put off the unnecessary errands. It's very important to make your workout time a priority and schedule it like any other commitment, especially for the new exerciser. If you don't, you're setting yourself up for failure. Finding a regular time to come to the club gives you a better chance at seeing the same faces and getting to know others. Even if you enjoy working out alone, it's more pleasant to workout in familiar surroundings.

The time that you reserve in your schedule for your workouts (before work, lunch-time, after work) will determine how much time you have to exercise. If you're hitting the gym during your lunch hour, you should probably aim for a short, efficient and higher-intensity workout. Then, grab a to-go lunch as you head back to work.On less hectic days, take the time to slow down the pace and enjoy the many different aspects of the whole club experience. Get caught up on your e-mails in the lounge as you take a moment to relax. Try a group exercise class for the first time. Sign up for an equipment review session with the fitness staff, or even go for a swim. Nothing will relax you more than taking a hot steam or sauna after a long workday. Remember, the emotional and social aspects of wellness are also important to a healthy lifestyle.Whether you prefer to workout in a group setting or individually, just remember one thing: Choose your activities as time permits. Customize your workout time to fit your schedule. Shorter episodes are clearly better than no activity. You burn the same amount of calories whether you walk or run a mile; it just takes more time to walk it.

The "WHAT" Factor. Your success at sticking with your exercise program is dependent upon finding activities that you enjoy. Your health club should provide enough variety to attract all types of people, each with their own unique interests, likes and abilities.

When choosing a club, make sure it offers the classes and activities that will be of interest to you. Many clubs offer a wide variety of classes that will satisfy the needs of a diverse group of members. Some of these unique classes offered at various clubs are Pilates, Spin and Yoga.In addition to these classes, other choices include low, medium and high-intensity cardio classes, kickboxing, ball, mind/body/spirit, martial arts, senior-focused, dance-oriented, strength building, and the dynamic and popular Zumba routines.

Besides the diversity of the group exercise schedule, the fitness center should offer enough variety of both strength and cardiovascular equipment to meet everyone's fitness needs. Make sure you know how to use the equipment properly and are set up with correct seat and weight adjustments. Ask the departmental staff for assistance. By utilizing the professionals at the health club, you can acquire the foundation of a safe, efficient exercise program that can more successfully help you to reach your fitness goals.

More and more Americans are carrying excessive stress and tension with them on a daily basis and are beginning to perceive this as the norm. All a person may need is to experience the release and relaxation of a steam or sauna session. The effects of these and other stress-reducing therapies offer benefits to free the body and open the mind. Steam and sauna sessions can also help to condition the body, increase mental alertness and help in times of healing during injury. As part of a healthy lifestyle, we should all take the time to experience the wonders of these therapies.

The "WHY" Factor. Why do you exercise and why is it important to find a health club that is the right fit for you? The answer is simple: You can't afford not to! In response to the epidemic of unhealthy behaviors that manifest itself in childhood obesity, it is imperative that more and more people in all age categories place greater value on regular exercise and proper nutrition and find the best means in which to engage in these activities. As Baby Boomers begin to see a more balanced approach to fitness activities, especially "after years of suffering the rages of knee, hip and lower-back pain from years of high-impact activities" (Fitness Management, July 2008), or from the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, these mind/body activities such as yoga, cycling, functional Pilates and mind/body conditioning should be more prevalent in the class offerings. Finding a health club with the right focus and setting that supports its customers' physical, emotional and social needs is just as important as providing services, programs and equipment to meet your physical needs.

So, how do you put all of this information together so that is easily understood and meaningful to your own personal health and fitness needs? There are many resources available for accessing exercise routines and workout options. Your club should be able to guide you along the right path with its unique programs and services. Your workout program may just need tweaking. Hire a personal trainer to revamp your exercise regimen and to update it at regular intervals. Review your exercise chart. Are you doing the same routine that you have been since you started? You might just need to add something new to the mix. Our bodies adapt very well to the physical demands placed on them. Even small changes in the way you workout can make a difference.

We encourage you to take advantage of what is right in front of you. Don't go this road alone. Ask for assistance. Utilize the programs and services provided at your health club. Get a friend involved, or make new friends at the club. It's much for fun when we find the right fit in an environment that supports our efforts.