Do you find your gym membership worth it?

2

Replies

  • mojavemtbr
    mojavemtbr Posts: 65 Member
    I think a gym membership is dependant on your needs. If you are a Bodybuilder then yes its a must, or if you live in a small apt and just dont have the space for a selection of fitness equip then it would be necessasary too. But there are hundreds of ways to workout without a gym. I had a membership to EOS Fitness that I cancelled last spring because it was always crowded and I found I was doing home, park, and outdoor cardio workouts more than I was at the gym. As long as you dont want to lift heavy then you can get by very nicely with some adjustable dumbbells, a basic flat bench, a trx suspension device(literally hundreds of exercises can be done with one of these and the resistance is infinately adjustable simply by how you position your body ), a sandbag(make your own or buy one you can fill to different weights. Even a simple Daypack can be filled with different things and used as weight to exercise with. Playground apparatus, cinder blocks, rocks, logs, etc can all be used to workout with if you use a bit of creativity. Modern people have been conditioned to asdociate the gym as the only place to workout. This is far from true
  • collectingblues
    collectingblues Posts: 2,541 Member
    For me, it's worth it. It's a 20-minute drive each way, but the big thing I need in a gym is an indoor pool -- I can't replicate that at home on my income and property size. My Y has a huge aquatics focus, and in addition to a massive indoor pool -- seriously, big enough that it has three lap lanes, *plus* a shallow section that they gear pool walkers to, *plus* the deeper end that they hold aquatics classes in -- they also have a gorgeous outdoor pool with chaises and umbrellas. So not only do I get the indoor for what I need, but the outdoor is lovely in the summer, so thus saving me the cost -- and inability to afford -- of an outdoor pool club.

    Plus, they have a great variety of classes at good times. Which has helped me curtail what I spend at boutique studios, because now I can get it for free.

    And gorgeous fitness equipment and spaces. So while I lift at home, and run outdoors when it's safe to (not raining, not dark, not a heat index that approximates the surface of the sun), this is a good home away from home that I use when I need something beyond that limited sphere of running and lifting.
  • Slashnl
    Slashnl Posts: 339 Member
    moonangel12 wrote: »

    The drive truly isn’t the hang up, it’s the cost. The only thing within a 5 minute walk of my house is the mailbox at the main road :lol: . 10 minutes in either direction is Dollar General and maybe a gas station. Even the grocery store is 20 minutes. There are branches of the gym closer, but much smaller and not near the amenities so if I wanted to go one evening after my husband got home it would be 25 minutes or so.

    This makes me laugh because I live way out, too. You get used to long drives and it isn't that big of a deal! It keeps me from going out to eat, though. Anyway, my gym is near where I work, so that helps, but if I were you, give it a try! I think that it is important for kids to get familiar with working out and keeping fit!
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    edited October 2019
    Per month, that’s the hang up. Per year I would be all over it!

    You can only do what your budget will afford for the entire family. That's the bottomline. They won't let you buy a book of individual tickets, 10 at a time? Weigh the pros vs. the cons. The asthma response. Your budget, budget, budget.

    You're a brave woman, swimming in that river. Take it back outside and think about creating your own gym at home. Remember, long, long before neighborhood gyms were created people found a way to become world class athletes. Sounds like you have nice weather for the most part, a rustic outdoor gym would be fun.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10205533/have-a-home-workout-room

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10671119/home-gym-vs-public-gym

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/716415/my-results-from-home-workouts

    I think you have the true grit it takes to reach your fitness goals. This was on our news last night, another woman with true grit doing what it takes to get it done no matter what.

    https://www.montanasports.com/more-sports/spartan-racer-lillie-elkin-its-harder-for-me-not-to-workout-than-to-workout


  • collectingblues
    collectingblues Posts: 2,541 Member
    Slashnl wrote: »
    moonangel12 wrote: »

    The drive truly isn’t the hang up, it’s the cost. The only thing within a 5 minute walk of my house is the mailbox at the main road :lol: . 10 minutes in either direction is Dollar General and maybe a gas station. Even the grocery store is 20 minutes. There are branches of the gym closer, but much smaller and not near the amenities so if I wanted to go one evening after my husband got home it would be 25 minutes or so.

    This makes me laugh because I live way out, too. You get used to long drives and it isn't that big of a deal! It keeps me from going out to eat, though. Anyway, my gym is near where I work, so that helps, but if I were you, give it a try! I think that it is important for kids to get familiar with working out and keeping fit!

    Agreed. I used to live in a place where it took 48 miles, each way, to get to a Target! And three hours each way for most medical specialists. You learn quickly that things just take longer to get to when you live in rural areas.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    For me, it's pretty simple. The gym has a lot of equipment that I don't. I live in the middle of Seattle, where apartments are expensive and square feet are very expensive. I'm not going to buy a bunch of weights and machines (delivery for weights is also expensive). You get where I'm going with this.
    moonangel12 wrote: »
    Diatonic12 wrote: »
    @moonangel12 $114/mo or year. That's more than reasonable if it's for a year. You sound like you want to, if you can swing the dues, go for it.

    Per month, that’s the hang up. Per year I would be all over it! I priced out rock climbing gyms and it’s actually more than that per month, just for the 5 of us (not including my husband).

    The size of our family make any and all costs rise quickly, above average number of kids, although I don’t see us as a “large family.” Kids ages are 6, 8, 10, and 12 so my oldest costs nearly the same amount as an adult based on the pricing online.

    The drive truly isn’t the hang up, it’s the cost. The only thing within a 5 minute walk of my house is the mailbox at the main road :lol: . 10 minutes in either direction is Dollar General and maybe a gas station. Even the grocery store is 20 minutes. There are branches of the gym closer, but much smaller and not near the amenities so if I wanted to go one evening after my husband got home it would be 25 minutes or so.

    The main draw is the saltwater pool, my kids LOVE to swim, and if I hope to do a sprint tri in the spring I am going to need something. The last indoor chlorine pool my daughter was in triggered a 3-4 day long asthma/croup episode (at 8 years old she should have put grown it but it’s just getting worse, an allergic response for her).

    And unfortunately, outside of a one day trial, it’s a yearly contract which I am not a fan of :grimace: . The coupon link someone posted above expired last year.

    Rocks are free. :smile:
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    I like having a gym membership, but I probably don't take advantage of it the way I should because I am primarily a runner and like to do that outside as much as possible. That said, I do really enjoy group exercise classes and the spin bike, but my current gym cut back on classes and I can't attend the ones I like when offered--which has led us to look at different gym options.

    I also have a subscription to Les Mills on Demand that I absolutely love and use at home several times a week!
  • youngmomtaz
    youngmomtaz Posts: 1,075 Member
    I have a gym membership. It is a small, co-op gym. Maybe 1500sq feet. It is the best option I have and I use it about 4 times a week. I also have a cheap rack and plates at home. So I could just workout here, I do all my cardio on videos or outside anyway. But my membership is worth it because I have gym buddies. We have a set time and I feel accountable and show up. The variation in equipment is nice too.

    Op, the gym you are considering sounds awesome! The drive would be a dealbreaker for me but if it isn’t for you that is wonderful!
  • kmfeig87
    kmfeig87 Posts: 1,990 Member
    If you and the kids go twice a week, it's only $3 per person per visit. If you go more than that, it's less. So it's really not a bad deal. I would check the pool hours for the kids to make sure the times work for you. Free swim/kid swim hours are sometimes limited. Kids aren't always allowed in the lap lanes.
  • moonangel12
    moonangel12 Posts: 971 Member
    kmfeig87 wrote: »
    If you and the kids go twice a week, it's only $3 per person per visit. If you go more than that, it's less. So it's really not a bad deal. I would check the pool hours for the kids to make sure the times work for you. Free swim/kid swim hours are sometimes limited. Kids aren't always allowed in the lap lanes.
    That’s what I was wondering as well - they have an indoor mini water park/splash pad type thing from what a friend told me, but I wonder if my kids will be too old for it (she has toddlers)... I want to drive out, check it out, ask questions... maybe the price is more flexible, or we can do a one month (even week!) trial.

  • IAmWomanHearMeRoar15
    IAmWomanHearMeRoar15 Posts: 46 Member
    I go to the YMCA, I think they will be worth it one day when I am able to handle all the classes, exercise rooms, ect. Right now I can only handle the pool.
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
    I am at my gym three or four times a week for classes. Free weights, swimming and treadmills bore me, classes have so much more energy and encouragement, plus I don't have to keep track of what I'm doing, plus what you do in them changes every so often.

    I'd actually do more classes at the gym if I weren't also paying for dance classes outside of that :)
  • Analog_Kid
    Analog_Kid Posts: 976 Member
    Yes. Anytime Fitness, $25 per month. I get a discount through my insurance carrier. :)
  • drmwc
    drmwc Posts: 1,050 Member
    I am a member of 2 climbing gyms, and a commercial gym I use for swimming. I am also a member of scuba club, which get me pool access on Wednesdays.

    I also have weight equipment and a rowing machine at home.

    This is possibly sub-optimal financially, but it's relatively small sums of money and means I can exercise when it's convenient.
  • lauragreenbaum
    lauragreenbaum Posts: 1,017 Member
    edited October 2019
    I don't have a gym membership, but I pay $200 a month for my Pilates classes. Since I go every day except when I'm traveling, I average 25 classes a month. That's $8 a class. They charge $25 for single classes, so they are losing money on me. :-)

    And I know $200 a month sounds ridiculously expensive, but Pilates has been life changing for me. It's the first exercise I have loved and that I can stick to and I've tried everything!
  • therealmarceline
    therealmarceline Posts: 38 Member
    I have to drive at least 20-30 min for any signs of civilization where I live most of the time so I understand the driving part. If you have to drive 25 min to get gas and a SlimJim, 45 for a good gym isn't cray. I have a gym membership at a large chain that I love for the classes and the energetic atmosphere, the pool, the abundance of every imaginable weight machine and the steam room. I also have a membership at a serious "bro-type" gym so that I can train with my trainer once a week. I also go to a very small studio that is 20 min away (sometimes I can even make it in 15!) and take her classes. I think especially if you are home schooling, something out of the house could be really great for all of you (my younger brother was homeschooled)
  • littlegreenparrot1
    littlegreenparrot1 Posts: 702 Member
    I really like mine, it gives me structure, variety, and it makes me go because I've already paid for it!

    I think it sounds like a good deal - if you go three times a week for example. The children get to try different things, you get to do your training knowing they are safe and happy.
    You all get to play in the pool afterwards.

    I can imagine home schooling can get a bit intense in the winter If the weather is awful, this gets everyone out and about.
  • flotek72
    flotek72 Posts: 500 Member
    There's a gym at my work that has almost every machine and weights a person could want. And best of all it is free!
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    I have an Equinox membership which is very expensive. I'm in the gym just about every day so it's worth it to me. Plus, my health insurance pays for some of it.

    I DO travel to the gym but that's not a hindrance IMO. I either go on the way to work or on the weekend and I make it a priority so the travel time doesn't bother me.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I only use my gym for the weight room. My buddy and his wife own the gym and I train with her once per week. The other two days I go to a community center weight room that is about 2 minutes from my office. I don't think I could justify 45 minutes each way commute just to lift some weights...my program usually takes me about 30-40 minutes so the commute time would exceed my workout time.
  • fairytale_babe
    fairytale_babe Posts: 391 Member
    I make it worth it! I committed to it 100% when I signed up, get my monies worth. They have a creche for kids, a large variety of classes individual weights. Weight machines , cardio floor, saunas, cafe with plenty of shakes for every occasion! Merchandise and more!
  • Ironwoman1111
    Ironwoman1111 Posts: 3,913 Member
    edited October 2019
    I have a membership but I’m also trying to get more toys for the one at home. Soon, I will have some nice weights for my legs then I can workout at home and not have to drive to the city either. Also, I won’t have to worry about other people’s sweat (yuck).🤣
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,460 Member
    I am so glad you posted this. It prompted me to look up the gym near me that has a pool. The prices have gone down significantly, and the gym has improved even more significantly. I joined yesterday, on my way to the pool now! Bought 5 sessions with a trainer for the first time ever. I’m excited!
  • bobsburgersfan
    bobsburgersfan Posts: 6,471 Member
    edited October 2019
    Some people love the gym, some hate it. :smile: I prefer the gym because I like the classes, and I like having someone telling me what to do and pushing me. I go 5-6 times a week and it's totally worth it to me.

    From your comments it sounds like your main hangup is the cost, and I don't think $114/mo is bad for a family of 6. I pay $58/mo just for me (my gym also has pools). But ultimately it depends on how much you'd use it, and your own personal finances.

    Sorry if you answered this somewhere else, but is the $114/month just a month to month deal that you can leave at any point? If you don't have to commit for a certain length of time, you can always try it for a month and see if you'll use it enough to make it worth it. If you find that you don't take advantage of it, you can quit. But if it's a contract and you have to commit for a chunk of time, that's a whole different issue. And is there an enrollment cost in addition to the monthly fee?
  • moonangel12
    moonangel12 Posts: 971 Member
    bobsburgersfan wrote: »
    Some people love the gym, some hate it. :smile: I prefer the gym because I like the classes, and I like having someone telling me what to do and pushing me. I go 5-6 times a week and it's totally worth it to me.

    From your comments it sounds like your main hangup is the cost, and I don't think $114/mo is bad for a family of 6. I pay $58/mo just for me (my gym also has pools). But ultimately it depends on how much you'd use it, and your own personal finances.

    Sorry if you answered this somewhere else, but is the $114/month just a month to month deal that you can leave at any point? If you don't have to commit for a certain length of time, you can always try it for a month and see if you'll use it enough to make it worth it. If you find that you don't take advantage of it, you can quit. But if it's a contract and you have to commit for a chunk of time, that's a whole different issue. And is there an enrollment cost in addition to the monthly fee?
    It is a contract from what a friend told me - the rest of the family is playing pick up b-ball tomorrow night so I am contemplating riding up to check it out and ask questions without “help” :lol: I think I can get a free visit. Definitely part of the financial hang up... I don’t mind paying it IF it works out for all of us. We did the ropes course season pass the last two years which I thoroughly enjoyed (as did my older two) BUT my child #3 has anxiety issues and evidently a fear of heights that was getting progressively worse, not better making any and all trips NOT fun... so we’re taking a break this year.

  • ObviousPanda
    ObviousPanda Posts: 8 Member
    I go to Burn Boot Camp 3 days a week. They have free childcare and an instructor that works with you during the whole 45 minute class. I love it. It’s 15 minutes from my house. $144 a month.
  • sarko15
    sarko15 Posts: 330 Member
    $115 for a family of 6 is a great deal imho. I pay $50 just for me.

    Like others have said, I would not drive 45 minutes to go to the gym. That's when it becomes a bad deal -- when you don't go. Mine is pricier but sadly standard for my area, though it's less than 10 minutes away. I go 4-5 days a week depending on my schedule. It's made a huge difference in my fitness and how I feel about my body, and I've pushed myself physically by trying new machines, classes, exercises that I see other people do, etc. I joined a triathlon training group of people I met at my gym. It is so much more motivating and interesting than working out in front of a TV at home. I bring my gym bag with me to work and just hit it up on the way home. What will make it worth your while is if you integrate it into your routine and make it a habit.
  • fairytale_babe
    fairytale_babe Posts: 391 Member
    corinasue1143 wrote: »
    I am so glad you posted this. It prompted me to look up the gym near me that has a pool. The prices have gone down significantly, and the gym has improved even more significantly. I joined yesterday, on my way to the pool now! Bought 5 sessions with a trainer for the first time ever. I’m excited!

    That's so exciting! Way to go!
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    edited November 2019
    It really depends on how much you use it. The more times you go in a month, the lower the per-use cost becomes.

    Edit for autocorrect fail.

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