Gym as vaccuum cleaner

[morningstar]

Hey,

I seem to have "won" a month's free membership at a local gym (www.extremefitness.ca), along with their "smart start" fitness package (which is apparently worth $240). I'm pretty sure everyone that entered the contest won this prize, as a way to suck people into the gym and put pressure on them to keep their membership past the month.

This is what the smart start package includes:

• Body Composition Analysis Measurement of body fat and lean muscle mass
• Physical Condition Assessment Measure strength, stamina, flexibility
• Cardiovascular Efficiency Assessment Maximum oxygen uptake scoring
• Workout Assessment Evaluate workout experience and general exercise knowledge
• Goal Setting Establish health and fitness goals that are realistic to achieve
• Establish Target Heart Rate Zones Maximize fat burning
• Workout Technique Assessment Evaluate the correctness of Exercise form
• Workout Orientation Demonstration of workout program by professional fitness instructor
• Nutritional Knowledge Assessment

I am really not interested in the month's free membership, because I really do prefer to work out at home, but I am interested in the smart start package. What do you guys think of it? Worth doing? Anything I should know, or questions I should be sure to ask?

 

[Janis]

When you are all done with all the tests, you can ask how much they're going to pay you to train their clients!

LOL

 

[syzygy314]

I would say, if you won it and it's free, why not take advantage of the fitness assessments and just never go back?

Can't hurt!

 

[morningstar]

Well, that was not much fun. Lots of sales pressure, and when that didn't work, the pretty young thing called out her big bad jerk of a boss to really put the pressure on. It still didn't work, but it sure didn't make me want to join their gym. Now I'm questioning whether I even want to do the fitness assessment, given that it will probably be filled with yet more pressure. The gym equipment was kind of cool, but not enough to get past the uncomfortable feeling I had there.

 

[syzygy314]

I guess if they're going to be like that, it wouldn't be worth it! That's too bad. Why can't they just smile and give you an appointment for the assessment, then when you've had a good experience, say, "So, how long do you want to sign up for?" That way, you've gotten your free stuff and they've been nice so you feel good about the place and the people. I think they'd do better that way. And, when you say thanks, but no thanks, they should just thank you for coming and checking them out.

You know, catch more flies with honey . . .