One frigid day January day in 1998, I found myself speaking the eulogy at the funeral of a man I'd never met--the father of my longtime running partner and her five siblings.

They couldn't bring themselves to speak, so they asked me to interview them, write down their words, and do it for them.

"Jeanne says a training partner is as close as you can get to family without actually being related," said Jeanne's sister Donna.

Do your homework before you join
Gyms and health clubs can be great places to locate equipment, classes, instruction and workout buddies. However, they are not all created equal. When scoping out a place to work out, do your homework. Have an idea of what's important to you in terms of atmosphere, amenities, policies, location, hours, costs and health insurance wellness plans.

Don't be afraid to visit and ask questions.

Are you unsure about what exercise to do or how to do it? Do you find information about exercise confusing or conflicting?

Sometimes a little help from a qualified exercise professional can help you find exercise that will be safe, effective and motivating for you.