There are lots of people in this world who spend so much time watching their health that they haven't the time to enjoy it," said humorist Josh Billings aka Henry Wheeler Shaw.
Health escapists (like me) see in it an excuse to avoid the weight training and the push ups. As a result, they are burdened with unwanted flab.
But, if you dream of a body like that of Shilpa Shetty or Salma Hayek, a gym is a must. "With the mushrooming of gyms and health management units, it is essential you opt for the right place," says Dr A K Sinha, a Mumbai-based dietician and endocrinologist (a doctor who specialises in the glands and hormones of the body and their related disorders).
If you are planning to join one, here's how you can ensure it does not burn a hole in your pocket.
Is the gym worth it?
"If you take into account inflation and its effect on the prices of essential commodities, good health comes at a reasonable price at our gym," says Brinda Desai, head of aerobics, Gold's Gym, Napean Sea Road, Mumbai. "Here, you need to pay Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 a month approximately. In return, you can work out 24/7 at any branch of Gold's across the world."
But, for you to figure out if a gym is worth the money, you will have to do the round of many gyms and check their rate card and what is on offer.
Today, you will find gyms suited to virtually every budget. A small place may set you back by around Rs 500 a month (Rs 6,000 per annum). Drop in at a gym at a five-star hotel and you could end up signing a cheque of Rs 1,00,000 for an annual membership.
What determines the price difference? Well, a host of factors, the most important being how well-equipped the gym is and the amount of space it offers.
A reasonably good gym must have the equipment to cater to the upper and lower parts of the body, weights of all measures and the usual cardio-vascular equipment such as treadmill, stationary cycle, rowing machine and stepper.
Also, get a feel of the place. Do you like the crowd? Do they let clients bring their own music? Is it freezing, with the air conditioner on at full blast? Is there ample space or are people falling over each other? Are there a lot of people waiting in line to use the equipment?
Always visit the gym at the time you plan to go there for a regular workout. Don't visit the gym in the afternoon if you plan to work out early morning.
Rajiv Gupta, a member at Talwalkars, is of the opinion he is getting a great deal. "Supposed to be one of the best equipped gym chains, Rs 8,000 for four months is definitely not too steep a price to pay," says this New Delhi resident. He says this amount includes weight training, cardio, steam and a month's training by a personal trainer. He also says he has lost eight kilos in three months.
We want to make money
What are you joining the gym for? If you are not sure, you will end up dishing out a huge amount. Remember, gyms are out to get as much money as they can from you. Don't play into their hands.
They will tell you why weight training and cardio (which are the basics) will give you fabulous results if you team it up with the services of a dietician. Of course, this will add to your tab.
Then, they will explain the wonders of a massage. And you will dig deeper into your pockets. A common explanation is that massages help mobilise the fat (whatever that means) and prevent the skin from sagging when you start shedding the kilos.
Consult your medical practitioner to verify the authenticity of these claims.
Then, they may convince you why you need individual attention and why a personal trainer will be a boon. Desai says not everyone needs a personal trainer. "However," she warns, "it is advisable that obese people do have one."
You could also consider a personal trainer if you need to get into shape in record time for a wedding. Or if you are an airhostess or model who has just delivered a child and need to shape up soon because the job demands it.
Else, refrain from doing so. Remember, a personal trainer will definitely put a strain on your wallet; you may have to shell out an additional Rs 800 - Rs 1,500 per month for this service.
Also, check if steam/ sauna are included in your package. Are showers permitted or do you have to pay extra for it? Are towels given free of cost or do you have to bring your own?
It's raining discounts
With competition rife, you should be able to wrangle yourself a good deal.
Some gyms offer a discount when you team up with a spouse or a friend. If your spouse is willing to join up, great. Else, look for a friend, colleague or neighbour. You don't even have to know this person well, just get the membership done together. This way, both of you can avail of the discount. You don't even have to work out at the same time.
Talk to people who already work out at gyms. Ask them if their gym has a tell-a-friend scheme. If this is the case, you may get a discount if this person introduces you. At Talwalkars, for instance, you are eligible for a discount if you are referred by a friend/ acquaintance.
Then, there are the usual annual discounts. This is a good time to enroll in a gym. During this time, they either come out with interesting packages or lower the rates of their current ones.
There are summer and monsoon discounts too.
Some gyms have happy hours' discount schemes during the afternoon. If you are in college, a young mom who has taken a break from work or have flexible work hours, try and use this option. Of course, it had lesser flexibility because you will not be able to work out at any time you choose. Let's say the gym declares a happy hour discount between 1 pm and 4 pm. You will only be permitted to work out during this time.
On the flip side, not only do you get a lesser rate, you also have easier access to machines than you would at peak hours (early morning and late evening).
Some gyms, especially those in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad, offer corporate discounts. Ask your company HR if they have a tie-up with a gym to offer discounted packages.
Travelling a lot?
Once you manage the best deal, the onus rests on you as to how you utilise the money spent. "You can make the most of it by working out all seven days or you can misutilise it by procrastinating," says Desai.
Her words are echoed by Mona Nanavati, psychologist and yoga therapist attached to Benzer Nursing Home, Lokhandwala, Mumbai.
"It is one's perseverence that matters the most. One needs to motivate oneself to get rid of the unwanted flab by doing the necessary exercises in the correct manner," she says. "Merely getting yourself registered to a gym is not enough. It is the results that do the talking."
Which brings us to the question faced by those who are travelling.
If you travel a lot, look for a gym that has braches in other cities too so you can continue to work out even when you are not in town.
Alternately, see if your gym will extend your membership. A friend of mine had to go abroad on a work stint for three months. This meant he would lose the money he paid in advance for his gym sessions. His gym allowed him to extend his membership by three months and charged him Rs 100 extra a month. So he paid Rs 300 and got the three-month extension added to his package.
Gold's Gym has an international travel card which ensures that, once you are registered with a particular branch, you are entitled to work out at any branch of Gold's across the world. Gold's Gym has more than 600 facilities in 25 countries.
Once there, get the best
"Going to a gym or a health management unit is more about commitment and less about expense," says Bulbul Chowdhury, a private health consultant and yoga therapist practising at Andheri, Mumbai. "Half the time, people fail to achieve the desired results as they fail to complete a certain curriculum," she says.
So, make sure you opt for the gym only if you are certain of working out at least four times a week. Else, it may not be worth it.
