Most fitness clubs won't tell you that if you join in January, they count on you dropping out by April. Many clubs base their business plan on taking advantage of people who've made New Year Resolutions to lose weight, and they often tie January joiners to year-long contracts.

Always bring a towel with you when you work out in a fitness club. Needless to say, the exercise equipment will have been used by many people before you, and it's unlikely to have been cleaned recently. Consider it a haven for bacteria, including staph.

Before you join a fitness club, don't hesitate to ask them how often their machines are maintained and serviced. In many cases, it may be months between service sessions, if they bother with them at all. Plus, keep in mind the fact that if you're injured on one of their machines, you probably won't be able to sue.