] Because of last year's tremendous success, the Discovery
] Health Channel is going to host the challenge again next
] year. The challenge begins on Jan. 15 and will continue
] for eight weeks.
]
] You can register for the 2005 NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE
] until Jan. 20, 2005.
 . . .
] Registration closes on Jan. 20, 2005 at 11:59 p.m. ET/PT.

I've been poking around lately checking out health clubs, reviews, membership prices, etc. etc. For myself, things have boiled down to a choice between two clubs: Bally's and 24-hour Fitness. The former because it's closer to where I live, and has yoga classes. The latter because I'm more of a 24-hour person.

24-Hour Fitness also has the advantage of "pay as you go" memberships of about $35/month. Bally's offers a lower monthly ($12/month), but in order to get to it, you have to sign a multi-year contract and "buy" a membership which can cost over a thousand dollars. As I've surfed the web and read the reviews, the #1 complaint I've heard, is about the high-pressure sales tactics at Bally's, and how many people are bullied into signing contracts that they don't entirely understand, after which they're harassed by collection agencies even if they no longer wish to go to Bally's.

There are some creative alternatives though. One of which is going on right now -- Discovery Health Channel is sponsoring, in coordination with some other national health organizations, a free "National Body Challenge". Signing up for it on the web takes a couple minutes, requires no money or credit card, and as one of the freebies, there's a 2-month "no obligation" membership to Bally's. I've signed up for it, if for no other reason than it's a 2-month free pass to a sauna and enormous whirlpool hot tub. :)

Of all the research I've done, this is the best deal around at the moment (can't beat free!), and it's only open for this week. After that, things go back to the normal "2-week free trial" system.

FYI,

Elonka :)

Discovery Health : National Body Challenge