The aerobic instructor should be someone that you feel comfortable with. So while you are looking for a health club, consider looking for instructors that are trained, or better yet, certified. If you have a physical condition that doesn't allow you to fully enjoy the aerobic exercise, let the instructor know and hopefully he can work with you. You want someone that can help you achieve your fitness goals, and target the exercises around the parts of the body that you want the most. You need someone that can understand what you need to be done to accomplish your fitness goals, whether it be to lose weight, to tone your muscles, to target some parts of your body or just so you can feel great when you get up or go to bed at night. Chose a health club where the staff members are polite, concerned, helpful and have a professional attitude towards members of their facility. Some clubs have dietitians on site, massage therapists and physical therapists. Ask for those services if it is something that you care to have.

Find out about the variety of programs the facility offers, the times they offer them and if they have a babysitting service on site in case you need one. Most clubs offer free trials. This is your opportunity to try the facility and what they have to offer. Check out the instructor to see if you like his technique of teaching the class, the choice of music for the aerobic class and if the space where the aerobic takes place is big enough to accommodate a large group of people. Remember to also check out the swimming pool, the tennis courts or the basketball area to see if they are in good condition, safe, clean and well lit. Some health club offers trials on a weekly or monthly basis.

While you are trying out the facility, check out their equipment such as the treadmills, bicycles, and weight room. See if they have enough equipment to accommodate a large group without making any one wait in line for their turn. Check that all equipment are up to date and that they are safe, comfortable and easy use.

Look around and see if the facility is well maintained and very clean, especially the bathrooms and showers. Can you see if there are enough towels to use, shower stalls to accommodate a large crowd, enough lockers for everyone, and if there's enough hot water for your shower? Does everything work well?

Is the place free of untidy electrical cords, loose carpet or other loose things that can cause you to trip and get hurt?

Also, the other thing to look for is a place where you can hang out with the people you meet or friends before, during or after exercising. One of the nice things about going to a heath club is to make friends, so the facility should have great soft comfortable cushioned sofas so you can just hang out. They will also have a little bar to purchase healthy beverages like fruit juices and watch TV. Some health clubs offer organized activities such as sporting events, walks or runs. You can check those out if you are interested.

Before entering the gym, have an idea of how big the parking lot is and how easy it is to park and leave the premises. Is the parking lot well lit at night if that's when you prefer to exercise? Are the aerobic classes held at a convenient time for you?

Of course you can ask people close to you such as your friends, your neighbors, or family members to recommend a health club and aerobics class close to your house. It will cut down on your time to check out the facility yourself.

Once you pick a gym club and class, find out about their monthly member fee, and see what is covered in the price. How much more for extra services such as joining the exercise classes or for swimming? Do they offer discounts for living in the area or for joining with the rest of the family?

This is an expensive long term investment, but it can give great results.