With the New Year always comes the promise of a new body, and many people make a New Year's resolution to get in shape and join a gym. Read our guide on choosing the right gym for you.

Before joining a gym ask yourself the following questions:

1)     What are my overall fitness aims? (weight loss, social, muscle gain, general fitness)

2)     What times best suits me? (off peak vs. standard membership)

3)     Do I need professional assistance? (nutrition plans, personal assistant)

4)     How often will I go to the gym? (pay-as-you-go vs. monthly membership)

Once you have answered these questions and worked out exactly what you want from the gym then it’s time to find a gym which provides the right facilities at a decent price. Below is a list of questions worth asking when you enquire into getting a gym membership

1)      Is there a joining fee? (Many gyms charge a one-off fee on top of the monthly fee to cover so-called ‘admin’ costs. It’s worth noting that in January most gyms waiver the joining-fee in a bid to out-do competition)

2)    What is the minimum contract length? (The cost will vary depending on the length of the contract. Gyms such as Fitness First also offer deals where you can freeze your membership at anytime at a small monthly fee)  

3)     What is not included in the membership? (Swimming pool, Crèche, Sunbeds, Sauna etc)

4)     How many members are there and do you set a limit? (It’s worth finding out this information as you don’t want to be in a gym where you are queuing to use the treadmill!)

5)     Do you have qualified personal fitness instructors?

6)     Do I get an induction prior to starting?

7)     Do you get to use the whole chain of gyms? (If you are travelling around the country its worth finding out if you can use the gyms in other areas)

Remember you can often negotiate the price of the gym membership and shop around! The price of a membership varies a vast amount between companies.