What does a gym cost?

If you didn't go the first time, are you going to go the 2nd time? Has anything changed about the atmoshpere of the gym or your attitude towards it?

You don't really need a gym to work out. Walking/running outside and doing body weight exercises in your living room are effective and free.

$56 a month for that is borderline insane, although I'd probably pay it for the sauna but I live in a tiny town with no options and really miss a sauna.

I'm gussing they're praying on the "women's only" crowd.

It sounds expensive. And you've already tried it and didn't use it.

What sort of gym would suit you in an ideal world?

It really depends on the gym. I absolutely will not do an annual contract of any kind. Any gym who requires it has lost my business...there are plenty of other options out there that don't require annual contracts.

In looking at a gym...yes, cost is going to come into the equation...but you really want to find a gym that is going to be suitable for what you want to accomplish. Not all gyms and fitness clubs are created equal. Just as an example...the Planet Fitness over by my house is $10 month and literally 2 minutes from my house....sounds awesome right? Wrong...they don't have any free weights and that's the only reason I even need to go to a gym.

The gym has to meet your fitness needs. I go to the Jewish Community Center here in my town...it's actually pretty well out of my way across town and is $93 for a family membership. Why do I go there? There facilities are awesome for one thing...very clean and comfortable place to workout. They have any manner of equipment to work with, including free weights...as well as a whole bunch of different classes, etc. But the real kicker for me (us) is that they have a lot of family friendly fun stuff like "Daddy and Me Gym Time" every other Sunday...stuff like that where I can involve my whole family...kids...everyone gets involved.

In RE to your specific question...$56 is probably middle of the road cost wise...not cheap, but not expensive either (although it doesn't seem you're getting much bang for your buck)....it's the annual contract that would be a deal breaker for me...I just don't do those.

That sounds quite expensive for what they have there.

The gym I'm a member of is £26 a month, and it also allows me to go to any of the other 13 gyms in my city that are linked to it.
The equipment is quite good, they have this system where you use a 'key' in each machine and it records your workout for you this included weights and all other machines, and when you leave you can see your calorie burn for that work out. It has a 25m pool with sauna and steam room too. Oh and your 1-2-1 sessions and programme planning are all free. They also give you a heart rate monitor chest strap you can wear for your workout to be accurate.
Considering there was that gym, another gym costing £26 in my area with less equipment or a gym costing £58 I think I picked the right one.

If you've been there before and didn't stick to it, I'd recommend looking for other gyms that might even be cheaper and you would enjoy it more.

I personally think they are unnecessary if you have any room to do resistance training and then I run and bike outside. Much less time, expense, and you also get the benefits of being outside.

We've had stretches of days where the highs didn't get to zero. Yep, not running outside.

That is way too much for what you are describing.
My gym: Tons of equipment, heavy weights, machines, cardio area is huge, separate cardio theather, big room for classes, spin room, nice locker room with dry sauna. Oh and a tanning bed. $32 a month including tax. When I compare what you are describing I would stick to walking at push ups at home for free lol

I pay $57/month for my gym membership, but its a nice gym. Tons of new equipment (all in working order), a womans only section and classes are included. No pool/hottub, but there is a sauna.

To me its worth every penny. I'm there 5 days a week, 3 for cario, 2 for weight training with a trainer. Running outside in winter is not an option here, its just too cold/icy/snowy.

I pay $53.34 for a gym membership for both me and my husband. I think it's worth it because of the classes they provide like spinning, zumba, crossfit and one for kids called fitkids. They also have an onsite massage parlor, physical therapy and a smoothie shop. And of course the usual options of trainers and body fat tests. Add on $12 more a month and we could have childcare provided for us while we work out if we were to go in the evenings. But we don't cause we are so busy or would rather spend the evenings doing and activity of some sort with the girls.

That sounds really expensive for what your getting. I don't know where about you live, but here at Goodlife a large gym with newer stuff and lots of classes its about 35 a month. And most nice rec centers near me with pool and new equipment is 40 a month. There a 24 hour gym that is pretty basic for 45 a month. And a new gym near me that has all new stuff and childcare (3.50 for 2 hrs) for 7 bucks a week. All have a year contract except for the rec center. I know this from researching since I might be joining one myself. My suggestion is to find one without a contract if you can and get a one month trial. I personally would 55 a month, but that gym better be freakin nice lol. But maybe its all in where you live? I'm in Ontario.

That particular gym for the price they're asking sounds like crap. I'd do some more shopping around.

If you have to be in a contract, hell to the NO.

I got screwed over by a company/gym before and never again. They are evil imho.

I pay $10 a month. No frills or classes, but LOTS of equipment, clean locker rooms.... ALL I NEED!

I pay $90/month for my whole family. It's a top-of-the-line gym with racquetball, basketball,volleyball, two different indoor pools with slides, hot tubs, tons of awesome classes, and an amazing kid program with games, crafts, yoga, kidzercise, etc. I LOVE IT!!!! I'm there 6 days a week, my husband is there 3-4 days a week, and my kids go with me 2-3x a week. I personally would never accomplish at home what I do in the gym. You gotta figure out what works for you. Many gyms will let you do a 7-30 day trial.

I go to the YMCA. its great. has TONS of equipment, a huge pool and hot tub, sauna, nice locker rooms, very clean, and so many classes I can't count. I pay 63 dollars a month (but when my insurance kicks in I will only pay 43) my friend who goes with me has her membership based off of her income and only pays 34 a month (she also will be getting 20 off from her insurance soon).

this is true for sure about the Y. I am currently on a scholarship that is only costing me (and my toddler son) $30 a month and my Y has several long rows of ellipticals and several long rows of treadmills, stair climbers, tons of stationary bikes, plus a huge weight bench area (HUGE), and the weight machines as well plus the classes... wow... the classes as well as child care for up to two hours a day. oh and a pool, etc etc. I think the Y Rocks!