Keeping Healthy: Picking the right gym

Now that we've reached 20-13 it's time to start on New Year's Resolutions.  Maybe it's putting in extra effort at work - or doing some volunteering - the resolutions depend on the person.  But one of the most common one's out there is to start working out.  Joining a gym is the easy part - but joining the right one that you'll stick with is the challenge.  Every person is different, with varying fitness goals - and that's something that must be kept in mind when picking a gym.

"Location, location, location...you need to go to a fitness center that is convenient for you," says Health and Wellness Consultant Pat Salzer, "some have the machines where you would be working more independently - so you would be on the treadmill or doing the free weights; other have more of the classes that are offered there and for some people they need that class."

Salzer says we need to consider the cost, equipment quality, and hours of operation to see if it works with our schedule.  Ask if the gym has a free trial - try it on for size before making the full commitment. And she says don't be afraid to join.

"Joining a gym can be intimidating also, so then if look at other resources that are available, if they have personal trainers and if you can have a few appointments with that trainer to get over some of that not knowing what to do."

Joining a gym is the first part - but staying there is another story.  Getting over the first few weeks is often the hardest part - but once you get into that routine - it will likely become a part of you.

"The biggest thing is just to do it and if you verbalize to someone else what your goal is, it makes it more likely to happen," she says, "have a partner to go to the gym with, and help support each other with your fitness goals you can make it fun, you can make it social, you can make it healthy together."

And take working out as seriously as you would any other commitment.

"If you put it right into your schedule like you've got an appointment or a meeting at work, or  hair appointment, that way it's part of your schedule, part of your daily routine."

And keep in mind - about 30 minutes a day of physical exercise is the minimum goal - and that can be any time of the day.