Trying to pick a gym

debrag12 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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

lausa22 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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 · May 2013

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

debrag12 · July 2013

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.

Trying to pick a gym

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