Trying to pick a gym

debrag12

I'm having a hard time picking the right gym for me.

1) Trugym - 2 mins from my house (15.99)

http://www.trugym.co.uk/#/trugym-bromley/4552008361

2) Fit4less - 7 mins from my house (£19.99)

http://www.f4l.com/bromley/index.htm

I personally feel this is better than TruGym

3) Calso gym - short bus ride away (£20 for contract or £30 rolling)

http://calso.com/

Only vids I've seen tend to show no young people attending

4) Virgin Active - well known chain, short bus ride away/40 min walk (£60 contract or £72 rolling )

http://www.virginactive.co.uk/clubs/Bromley

5) Nuffield Health - well known chain, short bus ride way/20 min walk (£?)

http://www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/bromley

I want to start taking classes, the last two have plenty to pick from and I know they will be running but the membership is prob too much for me. Trugym I currently go to, it's ok, they advertise classes but I don't think many are actually on and it feels like it's being run by kids.

Anyone know cost of a Nuffield membership?

The local leisure centre does an unlimited rolling contract for £42 and I can go to any centre in the area. I join but never went

I think I need to improve my motivation!

Alexandra289

I've heard bad things about Trugym (there's one near me). However I would definitely go to one of the ones nearest your house. Last year I had access to a gym that was great but 20 min bus/40 min walk and just never went. The only times I've regularly gone to the gym are when I went to one which was opposite where I worked and could go after my shift or now when I live a 5 minute walk from a gym. Try fit4less?

debrag12

Yeah I'm def thinking of leaving Trugym. I don't want to join Fit4Less and find out the classes are just not running I'm really liking Nuffield but the price & distance is putting me off.

I am going to enquire/join f4l I think at the end of the month.

HelloDan

Unless there is something wrong with the facilities, I'd go with one of the first 2, especially as you can have a 1 month rolling contract off the bat.

At the end of the day, a commercial gym is generally the same, no matter what the brand. So go with the closest and the ones not charging for a brand name. When it's cold and wet, and you're feeling a bit down, it's far easier to bail on the bus ride or round trip time of an hour, but when the gym is literally a couple of minutes away, this is less of a factor.

If you outgrow the facilities, you can then think about moving elsewhere, but by then you'll have formed the habit, and have a better idea what you want to look for.

debrag12

Unless there is something wrong with the facilities, I'd go with one of the first 2, especially as you can have a 1 month rolling contract off the bat.

At the end of the day, a commercial gym is generally the same, no matter what the brand. So go with the closest and the ones not charging for a brand name. When it's cold and wet, and you're feeling a bit down, it's far easier to bail on the bus ride or round trip time of an hour, but when the gym is literally a couple of minutes away, this is less of a factor.

If you outgrow the facilities, you can then think about moving elsewhere, but by then you'll have formed the habit, and have a better idea what you want to look for.

From reading more and more on trugym I am def leaving them. Hoping F4L isn't the same.

lausa22

Pick a gym that's within a 15-20 minute walk! Studies have shown that going to a close gym encourages people to stick to going. (And speaking from experience!)

Don't any of the gyms offer 'taster days'? A lot near mine do, where you can get a free pass for a day and test out the facilities.
Or maybe pay for entry for the one you think you'll like the most and test it out?

fishhawk1400

most gyms at least here in the USA will let you have a weeks membership for free. I would strongly recommend you try that before throwing down any money for a membership. Also all the up front fees are negotiable. Play the gyms against each other they will lower rates to get your money.

RobP1192

I agree with the person who suggested getting those trial memberships. See if they'll give you a week, 30 days, or 3 day trial. Most gyms should if they're competing for business. Try gyms out and see what you like.

debrag12

wow weekly trials! Never seen that in the UK only 1 day.

lausa22

wow weekly trials! Never seen the in the UK only 1 day.

David Lloyd often offer 2 week trials! Not like I'd pay £55 a month for a membership there! I used to get the cheaper membership a few years ago there, but it was a 40 minute walk for me and I could never be bothered to walk because I knew I'd be tired after my workout and I'd have to walk back (hence why to pick a gym close to you!)

My gym (lifestyles liverpool) is currently offering a free month in certain gyms (doesn't include swimming or classes though) and total fitness gyms offer a 2 weekly trial sometimes!

zoeysasha37

I'm in USA so don't know about the gyms you've mentioned , but I personally feel like picking a gym that is close to your home or work, really helps a lot....if the gym is far away, it's sometimes hard to fit it in your daily routine .

jmeddows87

I use the Nuffield Health gyms and I cant recommend them enough x

debrag12

So I am now with Nuffield Health, think I should have gone with them in the first place. Trugym and fit4less just don't do it for me, I tried but they are too small, poorly run etc.

Nuffield fees are higher than I expected, I think they increased them due to their 'pay nothing in august' offer.

It's only a 25 min walk to so not bad at all.