Check out the contract as well as the facilities

When choosing a gym, most of us are swayed by the little extras like a jacuzzi or televisions above each exercise machine, rather than the fine print of the membership contract.

However, in an attempt to lure as many new members as possible, some gyms and fitness centres resort to sharp practices, so checking the terms of the contract you're signing is just as important as checking out the facilities.

Last week Fine Gael's enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar warned those joining gyms to beware of "rip-off" contracts. "I would encourage customers to be careful as to what they sign up to, and if they don't fully understand a contract they are being asked to sign - don't."

Unfair terms commonly written into fitness centre contracts include unclear minimum notice periods for contract cancellation, and the automatic rolling over of annual contracts into a second year, Varadkar added.

The National Consumer Agency (NCA) advises consumers to check whether the gym has a white flag, which provides assurance that staff training, water quality in pools, hygiene, maintenance and customer care are up to standard. Also check what action the gym will take if a payment is missed. According to the NCA, one gym group employs debt collectors to chase up missed subs.

Although the industry is still in its infancy here, the phenomenon of hiring a personal trainer has started to take off. It is a relatively expensive approach to fitness, but one-on-one sessions with an experienced trainer can yield excellent results. Eugene Eivers of T4 Personal Training (www.personal training.ie) says that the industry isn't very well regulated here, so it is important to assess your potential trainer before signing up with them.

Ask them about their background, request client testimonials and make sure that your personalities "click", he advises.