Joining a Gym in Germany

Can anyone advise me on what sort of thing I should check out when looking at joining a gym/fitness centre here? I've looked at UK websites and got a general idea about facilities etc.. but what qualifications should the trainers here have and what is a cheap deal and what isn't? I've found a newly opened one in Celle that you pay 300 Euro up front to cover the 1st 15 months then it's 20 Euro a month after that. It seems reasonble to me but I've never used a gym before and have no idea really! Thanks people!

All you need to know luv is that "sport ist Mord "

It depends on what you want to use the gym for ie do you want to do aerobics courses as well as the machines?

20€ a month sounds quite good to me I paid 45€ in my old gym but I guess Frankfurt prices are higher.

They should give you a free trial of either an aerobics course or a session in the gym or maybe both.

There are some gyms that charge an upfront fee. The question is do you think you will stick at it for 15months? Also does that mean no membership fee for the first 15 months if you pay the 300€. Are there extra charges such as a yearly club membership?

If it was me and I had 300€ to spare I would probably go for it - after checking the small print of course.

I now go to the Turngemeinde Bornheim and it costs me 9€ a month just for aerobics it is not a luxury fitness studio but I think it suits my needs.

I would also consider how close it is to home if you can walk or if not are there parking spaces there as I used to find half the hassle was getting there!!

Hope this has helped a little

Thanks Muffin
As for travelling distance, Celle isn't a huge place so nowhere is far really!
I do want to get fitter and try to stick at it and get my moneys worth like the true Scot I am!! I thought it was a good deal for 20 per month.
I'll need to let my german teacher look at the leaflet as my german isn't brilliant and who knows what the small print says! I would probably use the machines and maybe once I get a bit fitter brave the aerobics or the Tae Bo class.
Do you know anything about the qualifications the trainers have or should have?? Don't want to do myself a mischief!
I am checking out all the gyms in Celle but when you don't speak great german it's difficult to ask the right questions and understand the answers!

Yes I can imagine it is harder when your German is not so good. I think 20€ is pretty good especially if that is for everything sauna and and all. And there is also the moto if I've paid for it upfront then I will definately go

I was thinking of going to a Thai Bo class tonight but am afraid I might accidently kick somebody and who knows what consequences that could bring in Germany!!!

As for what sort of qualifications the trainers have I have no idea and to be honest had never really thought about it but I could try and ask somebody.

Just watch out for all the men wearing lycra hot pants...

That's really why I'm going to go Luke!! Sad old Hausfrau that I am!!

Just be careful about how much notice you have to give to leave. If you move away you should be ok, but if you aren't happy with the service the contract sometimes ties you in to giving 12 months notice.

As for qualifications, they are much stricter here in Germany than in the UK, but you may want to ask the question "Welche qualifikationen haben Sie?" - they should understand what you want even if the grammar is probably wrong (mine often is I'm afraid).

muff , it'll be ok if you have your normal slippers on

sorry ... Ian ...

I had a massive throw out on Sunday and chucked 9 pairs of shoes so I might have to start going in my slippers soon

What! A Woman willingly throwing out shoes! Are you sure you are feeling well?

women throwing out shoes ... whatever next ...

well I used a USB stick yesterday

so things are moving on in the female world

used it in the office I mean before you lot start!!!

For work

muffin , does it matter what colour the USB stick is ... or is that only lipstick where it matters ???

CF I have no idea what you are on about!!!

blondes ...

I like to use the gym to used it alot in England but I hate those inductions you have to goto before you can use anything. I would not mind but I know how to do it already!

But you don't have to pay extra for the inductions do you?

I didn't at my old place.

USB?? Ahhhh, do you mean one of those Ultra Slim Boys which you can buy in Beate Uhse?

Well of course and what a lovely experience it was

hmmmmmmmmmm

what is that supposed to mean???

Im happy I found out how use the quote.

Hmmmmm was ment to indicate inappropriate Muffin behavour

the following punishment is being considered

Ban from sainsburys
No Sunday Newspapers
No Clothes or outlet shops
Intensive football appreciation training using the Sky sports

Muffin is too depressed to type!!!

If I promise to be good will the bans be lifted???

PS How do you use the quote would love to know

Use the mouse to mark the text you want to quote and then copy it with CTRL+C

move back to the posting box and put the cursor where you want to enter your quote.

Now go to the Buttons above the posting box and click on the "QUOTE" Button - this enters the text {QUOTE} (but with the "[]" brackets, can't find out quickly how to stop it treating that as a command) in the posting box in front of the cursor.

Now use CTRL+V to insert your quote and now comes the important -

go back up to the "QUOTE" Button which you'll see has changed to "QUOTE *" and click on it and you'll find that {/QUOTE} has been inserted to close of your text. You can now just carry on and say whatever you wanted to say. It looks better if you put a RETURN in first just to let the quote stand on its own.

Happy Quoting

Like that???

Dont tell her technical things, she will be wanting to use the TV remote control next and that is a male only appliance.

Ahh put the return in the wrong place

Why not don't you believe in equality?

I believe in equality the same manner its applied by you women when it benifits me

It will have to be one hell of a good

So you like the idea of being single then??

Muffin is going to behave from now on

Well the benifits of watching football when i like, going to the pub when i like and none of the constant humming in the ears caused by nagging does have its attractive points.

there are a few drawbacks as well i suppose

:$

What sort of subversive ideas are you proposing now, for heaven's sake!

Oh nothing honestly a bit of a private joke between me and mid_sa thats all!

Back to gyms... some things to be careful of...

1) If they have an electronic card system where you can put money on to buy drinks and so forth, don't put any on... when leaving the gym, they won't give you the remaining credit back.
2) (Most important). In my case, I left the gym in March. They said that there is a 6 week notice period. So I waited and then I found in September that they were STILL charging me for the gym. I had signed their forms to leave the gym and everything. They then said that they wanted a letter from me. I had already written one out, funnily enough, they couldn't find it in their files. I then sent an email to the manager (copying other people in) and requested all my money back. I then blocked them from accessing my bank account. After several months again, I noticed that they'd refunded me ONE months money, though they'd been illegally taking my money. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH GERMAN GYMS.
3) A lot have a clause in the contract that you can't bring your own drinks in. IGNORE IT.