Believe it or not, some gyms charge you to use the lockers or to rent a mat (a must if you're taking a class). Others don't offer free towels or don't have water fountains, so you'd have to buy bottled water every time you work out. How about child care and parking? Some gyms offer it as a free service to their members, while others charge an additional fee. It's also becoming standard to offer a free orientation with a trainer when you join. This is key if you need to learn how to use the equipment. If the gym doesn't offer a free orientation session, what are your choices? Do they have floor trainers to help you or are you on your own? Would you have to spend money on a trainer just to learn the basic equipment? Ask in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way.