What was your first experience joining a gym?

AngieMFitness
AngieMFitness Posts: 13
in Fitness and Exercise
I just recently joined a Fitness 19, mostly because it was close by and more affordable than some of the "supergyms" around here. But I have to admit, the process of joining way really intimidating.

I felt as if I were being hassled by a business man from the day I requested a trial pass. I gave them my email address for the trial pass and made the mistake of giving them my phone number too. I was still debating whether or not I really wanted to join a gym and they would call me every day for 3 days straight. Asking what day I was coming in and at what time. Once I actually did go into the gym, I got a small tour and the man explained their different memberships. I didn't even start the trial yet and the man was trying to get me to sign a contract for a membership. The entire time I felt like I was being pressured into getting the membership. I never did use the 7 day trial pass their website mentioned. I had signed a membership contract and paid for the first month, skipping the trial altogether.

I love the gym, I really do. It's small but that's perfect for me. I just wish the process was a little more welcoming! I get it, their boss expects them to sell memberships. But I would have signed up for the membership without all their "encouragement". What was your experience like when you joined a gym?

Replies

  • jonzo21
    jonzo21 Posts: 446 Member
    I think the problem in my area is that there is so many gyms, that they are competing with each other, which means they try to go the extra step to get that sell. I honestly feel like I wasted 60 bucks on a membership to 24 hour fitness (2 months and then cancelled). It was nice that it was 24 hours, but honestly prefer the gym at my college because there's more fans. 24 hour was so stuffy that I could hardly workout more than 20 mins. And the Zumba instructors to me were lazier than what I am used too on campus. They did try to "upsell" everything possible to me when I joined.
  • AngieMFitness
    AngieMFitness Posts: 13
    I think you're right, it's the competitiveness. I'm sorry to hear the 24 hour fitness didn't work out. But I'm glad to hear the campus fitness works for you!
  • AngelAura777
    AngelAura777 Posts: 225 Member
    I think the problem in my area is that there is so many gyms, that they are competing with each other, which means they try to go the extra step to get that sell. I honestly feel like I wasted 60 bucks on a membership to 24 hour fitness (2 months and then cancelled). It was nice that it was 24 hours, but honestly prefer the gym at my college because there's more fans. 24 hour was so stuffy that I could hardly workout more than 20 mins. And the Zumba instructors to me were lazier than what I am used too on campus. They did try to "upsell" everything possible to me when I joined.

    I couldnt imagine going to a gym without air conditioning I sweat everywhere even with the air conditioner lol. I hate gym memberships I got stuck in one and I hated it but then they opened a new gym under the same company which is closer to me and the atmosphere is a lot better not so many people vain people and what not so I love it now but they still have pushy salespeople. The girl that originally signed me up was dodgy I asked her what a specific question where you had to tick a box was about and she was like oh dont worry thats nothing everyone just ticks that one. Me being naive ticked it not caring. Then when I went back over the contract If I ticked it it meant that I gave them permission to sign me up automatically without permission at the end of the first year. My boyfriend went to the lengths to get out of a gym contract by getting a letter from the doctor saying he was unfit for the gym due to a "shoulder injury" he did have a sore shoulder but he could still lift. Even with the letter it took him a while to get out of his contract! He gave them a doctors certificate and a physio certificate and they still wouldnt let him out of it until they had a written letter personally from his doctor it was ridiculous.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Quick tour. Older lady giving tour says "we're a strictly bathing suit gym, no nudity!!" :laugh: Sampled a Zumba class. Chatted with the instructor afterwards, told her she was what I needed and I'd be signing up. Lady's husband walks in, lady leaps two feet in the air and screams, "I signed someone up!!!" So yeah, my first gym join wasn't half bad :)
  • jesmith86
    jesmith86 Posts: 46
    My gym sign up experience was AMAZING! I had done my research and had some great recommendations from friends. The girls there were great (one of the bigger gyms in my area - but not a massive chain like fitness first which are TERRIBLE) they recognise me now every morning, I got my free hour personal training session, which I bought! He is great! He keeps me motivated and sessions are built suited to me and how I like to train - hard, fast, lots of weights, ropes, tires etc and never once have I ever felt like I had been "sold" to.

    It sucks that you had that experience
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Haha the 1st time I went to a gym was 20 years ago. Local place in town, walk in, get a 3 minute tour and signed up for the summer student plan. I don't know if I could ever join a big box gym. Right now I've gotten used to doing everything I need at home.
  • Room112
    Room112 Posts: 7 Member
    I found it best to go with a friend as motivated and committed as you are. You can both go in, focused and get done what needs to be done without wasting time.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    I joined a Snap Fitness...the manager is super nice, and I didn't feel pressured at all. The only I didn't like is that because it's 24 hours, there's not always a staff member there. It was a little difficult to actually get a hold of someone so that I could join.
  • upsidedownjelly
    upsidedownjelly Posts: 52
    I go to the YMCA, which is super non-aggressive as far as membership goes (at this one anyway). The dude was like, "are you sure? this one is the closest to your home? we can get you a discount until you're 30!" etc etc. And they let me work out alone and tour the place myself before signing anything, which was nice.

    COnversely I went into Planet Fitness knowing exactly what I wanted, the easy peasy $10 membership. I told the guy that and he had no clue what to do with his whole schpiel.

    In short, I suspect more community minded gyms will be less aggressive, and profit driven places, especially chains, will be very car-salesman on you.

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