Hit the gym for free

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What would entice you to finally go to the gym? A trainer who looks like Brad Pitt? Frequent flier miles for every minute on the stair climber? What if you could go for free for a few days?

You can, from May 12-15, as part of Get Active America!, a yearly campaign sponsored by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Assn., a trade organization for commercial health clubs. For those days, guests of members of participating clubs can work out for free. It’s designed, as the news release says, so ‘more Americans can revitalize their lives and benefit from the supportive environment and professional knowledge that health clubs offer.’

Translation: You can go and sweat for a few days and see if you like it.

From May 16-18, participating clubs will also hold open houses to make people aware of the benefits of exercise (are there people who don’t know?) and allow nonmembers to check out the facilities.

You might be thinking, ‘If I go to a club, am I going to be locked in a small, dingy room while someone shines a light in my face and demands my credit card and says, ‘Wow, you really need to get in shape. How about a nonrefundable 12-year membership contract!’ ‘

Though we can’t vouch for every single gym, we did call one of the participating clubs to get the skinny. Susan Howard, general manager of Spectrum Athletic Club-Pacific Palisades, told us that those who come to this club for Get Active America! will be treated like any other guest. They’ll be welcomed, offered a tour and given the option of membership. But, she added, ‘We will honor people’s wishes if they’re not interested in membership.’

There. Now you’ll have to think of some really awesome excuse not to work out, like being kidnapped by aliens. Aliens without exercise equipment.

--Jeannine Stein