Cologne - It's a good idea to check out the fitness machines while visiting on a guest pass before joining a gym.

The quality of fitness machines and their condition should be considered and instructions for proper use should be posted on all machines, said the Cologne office of Germany's technical inspection authority.

In addition, there should be some safeguards to ensure that people who occasionally lift weights cannot injure themselves. To ensure safe training, the distance between the machines should be one metre; two metres between treadmills.

Prospective gym members can get the best insight by taking a tour of the facility.