With a new year comes a new set of fitness resolutions, but the Department of Consumer Protection wants to make sure you know your rights before committing too much to a health club.

New year's resolutions often involve goals of strength, weight loss or better health. Foot traffic increases and gyms open their doors to hordes of new members ready to kick it into gear for the new year. At Fit Club in Fairfield, the owners say there is always a noticeable spike around Jan. 1.

What Fit Club offers that the DCP says is important to look for is a month-to-month option, leaving out a yearly contract.

As people start their fitness journey, Fit Club experts say to start small and slow. DCP echoes the same sentiment before diving in to a gym:

The DCP says to review the contract agreement -- law requires health clubs to have contracts in writing. Health club contracts also cannot auto-renew, the only exception is after a one-month period.

Contracts can be offered for as long as two years, but cannot be any longer than that. A one-year option must also be offered.