It takes a good bit of confidence and willpower to continue at a health club for more than a few months. Be careful before you sign up for a year's membership; your club won't tell you that most folks rarely make it past three months. Go with a shorter-term option, if you can find one.

January's not a great month to join most health clubs. They're faced with a crush of people trying to fulfill their New Year's resolutions to lose weight, and they may either charge more for membership or pressure you to take a longer membership than you're willing to endure.

Health clubs are usually crawling with bacteria, which is unsurprising once you consider all the sweaty people using them. It's a good idea to bring your own towels to protect any surface, not to mention shower shoes for the shower -- and never sit nude on any surface.