Selecting a Fitness Center
According to the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub
Association (IHRSA) there are more than 26,000 fitness related clubs in
the United States. Many facilities offer safe and attractive places to
exercise but the quality of staff, equipment, and programs vary greatly.
It is important to carefully evaluate your fitness center options before
making a selection. Important things to consider are:
- Safe environment
- Adequate health screening
- Properly trained staff
- Safe and comprehensive programs
To learn how to select a fitness facility for you and your family, link
to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) free brochure
Selecting and Effectively Using a Health/Fitness Facility.
*
(PDF-798K)
ACSM also has free information about selecting personal trainers, selecting exercise equipment for your home, and effectively using exercise equipment.*
If you are seeking an age-friendly fitness center or have special needs,
the American Association of Retired Persons ( AARP) provides information on
Choosing a Health and Fitness Club.*
The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) has a
comprehensive checklist to help
you compare local fitness facilities and choose the one that fits your needs.*
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last updated: May 22, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
