How much is your gym membership worth to you?

dlynn08

My apartment complex has a "fitness center" but it is laughable at best. There's only 1 treadmill that I feel safe using and 1 elliptical that isn't broken. Everything else (there are tons of stationary bikes but none of them turn on when you get moving) is either broken or doesn't work right.

And it's always a SAUNA in there. I've complained to management, but nothing has been done. If I run, I feel so lightheaded and dizzy afterward because it's so hot in there.

I've been looking into getting a gym membership at a gym near my apt. But I love the FREE aspect to this crummy little thing. How much is a gym membership worth to you? Would you take advantage of a free treadmill and elliptical (that is...if there's not someone already on it) or go somewhere nicer but have to pay?

arc918

I buy the 2 year 24 hour fitness membership from Costco for $299. That is crazy cheap, if you walk in to those gyms off the street you'll pay three times that.

bmontgomery87

I pay 20 a month at planet fitness.

I'm hoping to get into golds for around that, waiting for them to run a special, because planet fitness is a joke when it comes to the important lifts. squats/bench/deads. You can't deadlift. And squats and bench are smith machines, so it's not nearly as good.

CaraRadz

I adore my gym membership. I really think it's some of the best $30 I spend each month (LA Fitness family plan). I've become a huge fan of spin class, and I know for sure I wouldn't be able to get the same calorie burn working out on my own. I also like switching up my workout throughout the week, so the variety of the machine at the gym is a huge plus. If I were you, I would splurge on the gym membership and use the elliptical at your complex as a back-up for days you don't have time to make it all the way to the gym.

I also find that I feel more motivated to go to the gym when I know I'm paying for it even if I don't go. I read an article the other day about a gym that charges people a "motivation fee" of $10 for every week they don't show up... not a bad idea, really!

Newfiedan

35 per month here but the gym has a lot more than just weights & treadmills/ellipticals, there is a pool and a hot tub which I use lots and I take my son swimming there at least once a week.

thkelly

I pay 20 a month at planet fitness.

I'm hoping to get into golds for around that, waiting for them to run a special, because planet fitness is a joke when it comes to the important lifts. squats/bench/deads. You can't deadlift. And squats and bench are smith machines, so it's not nearly as good.

you're not allowed to deadlift??!?!?!
and they don't have a bench press? what kind of gym is that?

to the OP...i would invest in a gym membership if the price is right and use the "FREE" workout room for days when you can't make it to the gym.

EDIT...i pay $36 a month which is by far the cheapest i've found in town and there's a pool, wave pool, sauna, steam room, track, and full gym. it's a crazy good deal

DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo

I have a 20 yr old ballys membership ( from wayys back when it was known as Jack lalanne fitness center)...

my membership was paid off wayyy back then ( I think it was $700 for lifetime) but I pay $5/month maintenance fees....

I hardly go anymore... except to use the pool in the winter months...

dietpop

I pay $100 a month for a trainer at her facility. My husband thought it was crazy expensive when I started, but the accountability of having to show up as scheduled helped me lose the dreaded last 10 pounds.

LauraSchaller

$12 a month at Fitness 19! Can't beat it, and it has everything I need

eternlgladiator

I pay 60 a month for me and the lady. It sounded like a lot 8 weeks ago but the results I've seen are priceless. I wish I spent it years ago. We had to sign a 12 month contract but it only takes $25 to break it anytime, plus I can suspend the whole membership or half it in 1 month chunks for up to 3 of the 12 months and they'll get added to the end. This way if I get really into biking this summer I can save a few bucks at the gym for awhile. A really nice feature.

eternlgladiator

I have a 20 yr old ballys membership ( from wayys back when it was known as Jack lalanne fitness center)...

my membership was paid off wayyy back then ( I think it was $700 for lifetime) but I pay $5/month maintenance fees....

I hardly go anymore... except to use the pool in the winter months...

That's an awesome deal!

I wish I could get something like that.

AndyBee

I pay $25 a month at Bally Total Fitness. I'd be willing to pay more though to get newer equiptment and nicer locker rooms.

FearAnLoathing

Lol you should check out my apartment exercise room,now the equipment is ok,a lil old but works fine its the people in there that are a trip.There are the ladys that bring their 50 kids and let them do whatever they want .There is one guy that comes in in tiny little shorts and just streches and those shorts SHOW everything.Then one time I went there and ther was a guy vigorusly exercising one part of his body if you get my drift:noway:
I have a gym membership but its hard to find the time to get there now and its much easier to go to the exercise room.

ZachyABaby

My gym membership is very costly, but priceless. That's due to dedication.

I have a buddy that did sales and some PT'ing at Gold's. He said 75% of the sales he made never came past their first month... but continued to pay. IF you're going to commit to going it doesn't matter how much it costs: it's worth it.

Liatush

Back when I was able to work out, I paid almost $100 a month for NYSC and also paid for babysitting so I could go... having a crummy gym makes you not want to go so if your health is important to you and you can afford a gym, do it. If you cannot afford the gym, take advantage of the nicer weather coming your way and run outside.

rileysowner

I do all my workouts at home. I just need enough space to swing my arms and legs around and lie flat not hitting things. Additional cost $0.

dad106

I pay 33.50 a month at Xsport on a family membership. I also pay 88 dollars a month for my trainer.. and I see him twice a month.
I love my trainer and my gym and wouldn't trade either for anything.

rileysowner

Looking at these prices, gyms I have looked at around here are horribly expensive. Of course I am in a small town so there is not competition unless you want to drive a long way. During out cold snowy winters that is not really a preferable option.

Pandorian

I've been paying $32 biweekly so some months (twice a year) it costs me $96 a month for my gym membership. I'm not using it as much as I should be, and still debating whether to give it up in favour of the more activity filled summer months anyway, that $60 a month in 1.5 months or the $90 month when 3 payments fall in would pay for an annual pass to 2 year round attractions and 2 seasonal attractions that I can walk around and go to daily so I'm Feeling much more interested in them vs the gym.

bethrs

I have a membership at a tiny gym in my hometown, it's a couple membership for 50 a month. Totally worth it. The husband suffers through cardio due to the theater (and I've caught a few movies in there myself) and the weight machines and motivation are worth it to me.

UpToTheChallenge

Well, my gym membership is actually free because I work part-time at GoodLife while working my full time job. However, if I didn't get it for free, i'd definitely pay for it because it's worth it to me. I know having a crappy place with only 1 working treadmill and elliptical will discourage me if someone was using it when i planned to go workout. I'd probably not end up working out at all.
Or maybe just get creative. If there's space, do your own routine without any of the treadmills, etc. like skipping, jumping jacks, etc...

biggiwig

I pay 32 for Golds Gym and I like it here, because they have tons of cardio machines and they are never all taken.

nyctraveler

I LOVE my gym! It's$125/ month but it's a great facility with tons of extras and great machines. New York Health and Racquet Club (NYHRC)

What part of the country are you from?

jennajoehro

We have a family membership at the Y. My husband and I figured it out that with the free babysitting included, we'd have to go twice a week and use the Child Watch (babysitting) service to make it worth our while.

I go to the Y at least 6x a week and my husband goes at least 2x a week. Plus, with our Y membership, we can go to any one of 10 Y's around town. Some are better, nicer, or newer than others, and have different facilities. Our "home" Y is awesome. They just opened an outdoor pool and splash park a couple of summers ago. Needless to say, without home A/C or a pool, we're there most summer nights... )

I also love the feeling that the Y is more than just a gym. It's such a family friendly place.

So, I'd say that our $91/month family membership is more than worth it.

dlynn08

Wow! $125 is a lot. I would hope it would be a NICE gym. I live in Colorado.

dlynn08

Surprisingly...in my crappy gym...I am still motivated to go just because I am committed to taking care of my health. There have only been a few times that someone is using the machine that I want, and I usually make sure to get there 15 minutes before anyone else shows up in the morning so I can make sure I get what I want. Thanks for all the advice guys!! I think I'll look into a membership if they offer classes for free and the price for membership is reasonable.

jazgal

I recently joined planet fitness .. $20 vs $10 per month so I could use the tanning and take another person when i wanted to ... and that includes using other locations when traveling ..

BabyDuchess

My apartment complex has a "fitness center" but it is laughable at best. There's only 1 treadmill that I feel safe using and 1 elliptical that isn't broken. Everything else (there are tons of stationary bikes but none of them turn on when you get moving) is either broken or doesn't work right.

And it's always a SAUNA in there. I've complained to management, but nothing has been done. If I run, I feel so lightheaded and dizzy afterward because it's so hot in there.

I've been looking into getting a gym membership at a gym near my apt. But I love the FREE aspect to this crummy little thing. How much is a gym membership worth to you? Would you take advantage of a free treadmill and elliptical (that is...if there's not someone already on it) or go somewhere nicer but have to pay?

Do you have a local recreation center/park where you live? I go to mine and I pay $15 a month for use of their fitness center....I love it because it has all the latest equipment but not crowded like the "big" gyms...I think it's because most people don't realize it's there.......their loss, my gain...lol

themommie

I just joined fitness 19 and it is only $15 a month, it doesnt have a pool or classes, but it does have all the exercise and weight equipment. I think it is well worth the price for what I need. I think I would join a gym and maybe use the apt gym for when you cant make it to the gym or go for a walk on those days

AmberRose0319

I have a gym membership that I'm paying 39.99 a month. They take it out of my account every month on the 15th. At first I went ALL THE TIME. But then I've slacked off. I haven't been going at all actually because it's a 24hour gym and all the members have their own keys..and the only time I can go is 8ish at night and I'm scared to go by myself. I signed a one year contract that I'll be out of ina couple months, but I'm hoping I can get up enough courage to start going by myself because I LOVED it!

vanfox23

My membership is free. It's in my living room. I invested my money in some good quality fitness DVD's, some dumbbells and resistance bands...It's better than having another monthly bill and having to pay for gas to get to the gym.