What to consider before signing up for a gym membership

Have you ever been half-way through your post-work gym session when you've wondered whether or not the £60 monthly price tag is worth it?

You may have been to one or two classes, and hit the treadmill a few times, but are you really getting your money's worth?

See also: Council considers free gym membership for obese benefit claimants

See also: Why half of us pay for a gym membership and never go

The other issue is that you may have been sucked into signing up for a year-long contract, which can be really tricky to get out of.

Some agreements say you have to be sick, have moved 20+ miles away or lost your job in order to get out of the contract.

These all seem like drastic options to get out of your weekly workout.

So, in the future, what should you do before you commit to a year long gym membership?

If you're signing up for a gym, first and foremost you need to make sure you're happy with it.

That doesn't just mean the location but the facilities on offer too as well as the price you're paying.

Lots of places offer a discounted or free trial period - if you have the option, you should definitely make the most of this to ensure you're happy with what you're signing up for.

Go as often as you can during that time to get a real feel for what it would be like to be a full member there.

If you're happy to exercise by yourself, that's great, but if you want classes with direction and other people, check whether they're included in the membership fee or if you may have to pay extra.

If all else fails and you sign up and instantly realise you've made a mistake, most places offer a small window of time where you can cancel before you're in for the long haul.

Plenty of gyms in the UK offer contract-free membership, including The Gym and PureGym.

This is a great option for those not 100% sure about their fitness future!