Winter's shorter days play havoc on others who like to use the great outdoors as their after-hours gym. Add to this holiday parties and you've got the perfect climate for gaining a few (or more) extra pounds.

What to do? It might be time to check out memberships at neighborhood fitness centers. Start by checking out their BBB Business Reviews at So far this year, 688 people have inquired about gyms and fitness centers in Northern Colorado and Wyoming, according to Shelley Polansky, BBB vice president of communications.

Before you do the same, have a clear idea of your fitness goals and how you want to achieve them. Do you want to work out with free weights and/or machines? Do you want to work with a personal trainer? Or do you want to participate in group classes? What location will be most convenient? Most of all, know what you can afford to spend on a membership.

When you visit different gyms, Better Business Bureau® Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming recommends asking:

• What are the terms of introductory offers? Make sure you understand the terms and what the price will be once the introductory period is over.

• Will your membership renew automatically? Every year, the BBB receives complaints from people who joined a gym and didn't realize their contract would renew automatically and that they would have to take specific steps to cancel it.

• Under what circumstances can the contract be broken? Getting out of a gym contract isn't always as easy as getting into one. Make sure you understand the steps needed to cancel your membership. One example might be military deployment.

• What happens if you move? Gyms have any number of different policies when it comes to how moving will affect your membership. It might depend on how far away you're moving and if the fitness center has locations there.

• What happens if the gym goes out of business? The BBB often receives complaints from people after their gym suddenly closes. Ask the gym to explain what happens to your money if they go out of business.

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