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?

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

I looked into the rec center. It was $400 a year---which is about 30 bucks a month---I could spend that at a gym.

Crystal817

I pay 20 a month at planet fitness.

I go to PF as well. I only use one location, so I only pay 9.99 a month.

If you are into serious weight lifting, Planet Fitness is not for you! They have great cardio machines though.

pandafoo

I used to scoff at the idea of paying over $100 for a gym membership but now I'd do it in a heartbeat if the gym was really wonderful and kept me going back for its classes, educational resources, or services. I go to Lifetime Fitness (being just 2 min away is probably the biggest reason), and for $90/month, it's totally worth it. I also pay for a personal trainer and dietician at $100/hr, and have even paid for services for metabolic and calorie testing which are also around $100. That is definitely a lot of money to invest in my health! But then I think, having good health is one of the most important things to invest in. If paying even $1000 could instill in me healthy habits for life, so that I can have more energy to spend with my family, or have less risk of getting cancer, or have stronger legs and arms to carry my children, then it's an easy decision.

It really depends on what matters to you and what your motivation level is. If you have access to free exercise equipment, and you're motivated enough on your own to consistently exercise, that's power to you! There's definitely no need to spend money on a gym membership then. For myself, while I occasionally workout at home, I find that I push myself a lot more when I'm at the gym - plus, having all these great resources and services is wonderful. I'm moving to Orange County, CA next month, so I imagine the gym prices may be higher than here in the Chicago suburbs, but if it's truly an amazing gym, the cost will be worth it to me.