(WHAS11) -- If your New Year's resolution was to get into a gym and work out you may be starting to miss some of those self imposed mandatory workouts. Good Morning Kentuckiana's Andy Treinen has some tips from the Better Business Bureau to make sure you know what you're getting into before you sign that contract.
Before you sign up for a two year membership designed to change your body, think again. Most of the time it doesn't change anything. In fact a recent New York Times article indicated that 45 percent of fitness club members quit each year. And a large majority of those quitters are new members
"A lot of people get upset, they file complaints with the Better Business Bureau over these contracts and it boldly states that this is a 6 month or one year contract with the said company," cautions Reanna Smith-Hamblin of the Better Business Bureau.
Make sure you know the terms of any introductory offer and whether you're membership renews automatically. The Better Business bureau urges you to ask these simple questions before signing a contract?
-How can i get out of the contract?
-What happens if i move?
-Is the location convenient?
-Can i really afford this every month?
And even if it looks perfect after an initial workout, there are things outside of your control.
"Another problem is gyms that close down. There are gyms that do close so look in that contract for that and ask the gym if you were to close down, if you were to go bad what happens to this contract?" asked Smith-Hamblin.
And if you're feeling pressured to join a gym on your informational visit, walk out the door. A reputable gym will allow enough time to tour the facility, and then go home to read the contract thoroughly.
