... and what should I ask?
Besides the obvious things like cleanliness and equipment in good repair, what should I be looking for when I tour the facility?
Besides clarifying what is included in my membership, what questions should I be asking?

I've never joined a facility like this but I've heard some horror stories about limitations and hidden fees, so I want to go in armed with a good idea of how to avoid misunderstandings.
Anyone experienced in the ways of health clubs?

Well, I found out that some places like "Curves" will only allow so much time on each machine for only so many days a week.

In other words (example only), there is a circuit and if there are 8 machines in it, you can use each one for 6 minutes each for a total time of 48 minutes of exercise. You can only do this 3 times a week.

Not allowed to use them longer and cannot go in more than the 'allotted' amount. This is one reason I never went in for that Club.

If one machine hurt or couldn't be used, well, thats just too bad.

Many places offer Membership fees and then monthly dues. This means that even though the commercial says "only $35 per month" that you are actually financing money through them for a period up to several years. You want to make sure that you don't do this type of membership because if you decide that you aren't happy with their facilities or that you aren't really going to go as much as you thought, then you are going to still have to pay that membership fee that you financed.

Bally's does this and so do several other large gyms.

You want to make sure that your gym membership fee is transferrable if you were to move. It might not seem like you'll move right now, but 2 years from now you might decide to move or you might spend some time in another city on vacation and you could use the membership there if it's transferrable. The YMCA has a low membership fee and goes on a month to month basis for dues. Here the Y is no longer cheap, but it still offers a good service because of flexibility and services offered.

We also have park district gyms which I believe most communities have now. This is often your cheapest alternative and they will give a discount to residents. These are typically good facilities that might be a bit crowded but there are no complicated scams associated with them.

I guarantee that if you go to a big corporate gym that at some point your going to feel you were scammed out of a lot of money. They didn't get big because Americans are super fit.

Well, the place I'm looking at is not part of a chain, it's a locally owned and operated facility with a great reputation... that also, amazingly, happens to be on the list of facilities that I can join at a significant discount through my health insurance company's "HealthyRoads" program.
I already know I'd be committing to one year at $51 per month (a 40% discount off their usual fee) after a $75 iniation fee.
So far, my list of questions is:
How much guidance/ assistance is included in my membership and what is the cost of additional sessions with a trainer or the staff dietician?
How many classes, if any, are included in my membership and what do classes not included cost?
How often may I use the facilities and for how long?
How often may I bring a guest and what fees are charged for doing so? (I like raquetball, and unless I find a compatable partner among the members....)
Does membership here include access to the downtown facility?
Do members enjoy any discounts on spa services?
Does this facility belong to any "Passport" program that would allow me guest privileges at another club when I travel?


I've also made a list of my specific concerns and goals.

Have I missed anything?