Joining a gym will help you stay trim, but ask some questions first.
Getting in shape is on most people’s mind at this time of year. A few weeks ago, I decided to start running again and began looking around for a jogging companion—someone to relieve the boredom of pounding the pavement (and protect me from big dogs). My neighbor, a big, strong, fearless lady of about 40 seemed like a good bet, but when I broached the subject of running her face fell. After years of assiduous exercise on a badly designed step machine, she explained, her knees were so kaput that a slow stroll through the park was all she could manage. Unable to find a sucker to accompany me during tedious hours of trotting, I vowed to join a gym.If you wish to join a fitness club in Munich and want to be sure that you are getting a good deal—after all, it’s your health at stake here—then you will need to do a little research before pumping iron. Fitness clubs in Germany are not governed by any regulatory board, either private or public. This means that literally anybody can set up a studio without having to prove that they are qualified to do so. Some centers do take the trouble to have their facilities checked by the Safety Standards Authority (TÜV) but as this is an expensive process and should be done every year, very few bother. TÜV-approved clubs will generally have a certificate (Urkunde) displayed in the reception area, otherwise you should ask.
Many sports centers post other quality assurance (Gütesiegel) certificates on their walls or in promotional material, however the criteria and standards of these regulatory bodies vary, so it is best to make your own list of questions and ask the club about their facilities directly.
Questions should fall into three categories. First ask about the premises (Trainingsumgebung). They should be clean and well ventilated and the equipment should have a “safe-space” (Sicherheitsabstand) around it to avoid accidents.
The second category covers equipment (Ausrüstung). Try to find out how old the machines are, how often maintenance (Wartung) is carried out and whether they have been subjected to a safety test, in which case they should bear a sticker with the letters G.S. (Geprüfte Sicherheit) on it.
Finally check what kind of services (Dienstleistungen) the fitness center offers. Will they make an evaluation (Auswertung) of your needs and your physical condition before starting you on a training program? What kind of training (Ausbildung) do the employees have? And how many trainers are on hand at any given time to assist and instruct?
If these questions seem a little daunting, remember that a club that is unwilling to answer questions of prospective members is probably not worth joining.
Should you decide to invest in a home trainer instead, then the following criteria apply. Forget inexpensive machines. High costs may not guarantee high standards, but cheap is nearly always bad in this business. Look for the “G.S.” sticker mentioned above. This seal of approval not only guarantees high-quality equipment, but also provides instructions for its assembly (Aufbauanleitung) and use (Bedienungsanleitung).
For those who like to get their exercise out of doors and are searching for a good pair of jogging shoes or in-line skates, a look at the Web site of Germany’s consumer test magazine www.stiftung-warentest.de should help narrow down the choice.
Heeding the above tips should have you in shape for the bathing suit season. And remember, if you keep putting off signing up for that membership, there’s always a Rottweiler in the park waiting to chase you to good health.
