Don't be swayed by savvy marketing or slogans, but instead do some research online, says Mike Ganim, co-owner of Harbor Fitness in Brooklyn, New York. If the gym you're considering has a Facebook page or Twitter account, check their feed for posts by current members to get a sense of their day-to-day activity. In addition to social media, check for reviews on sites like Yelp, City Search, and Google to get a feel for what current and former members like (or don’t) about the club’s classes, customer service, and cleanliness.