Fitness Club Memberships - let's compare the prices!

[Miabee]

I recently joined GoodLife fitness and was discussing with a friend, who is a member of the YMCA, how much memberships cost and how good it is depending on what we're using it for.

I am paying 19.50 biweekly for my GoodLife membership. My membership includes access to the 3 clubs in my town (including one 24 hour one), use of all their facilities (including sauna, whirlpool, showers with shampoo, etc.) and group classes (nice variety offered between the 3 clubs). I also get to meet with a personal trainer once a month to talk about my fitness goals and how I'm moving along towards achieving them, and she is fantastic and gave me great advice.

I like it a lot so far because I find knowing that I will be seeing the trainer again in a month is motivating for me to work towards the goals, and having a variety of classes to choose from keeps it from being boring! I'm hoping to attend a class 2-3 times a week and use their equipment at least once a week.

I'm not sure exactly what is included in my friend's membership since she only uses it to work out and swim, she doesn't use any of the other facilities, but she pays $70/mo for it.

I've also done yoga at a couple of different studios in the past and usually opted to buy a class pass option instead of getting a monthly or weekly pass. I usually ended up paying on average $8-10 per class depending on the studio. I visited different studios to take advantage of their new member promos which were always cheaper. I also recently bought a groupon for 10 yoga classes that works out to be around $3.50 per class!

How much are you paying for your membership and what does it include? Do you find you make good use of it?

[kashkoush]

have u heard of beachbody programs, they have a variety of at home workout dvds ,personally i prefer to have chalean johnson or tony horton as my personal trainer for a fraction of the price that i would pay for a trainer at a regular gym

[Zonny]

We have a family membership to our Canada Games Centre here, which costs us about $85 a month I think. That's only for one facility, but for myself, DH and DS. There's a gym (play basketball, badminton, etc.), three pools, a fitness centre and an indoor track. Membership gets us discounts on swimming lessons for DS, we regularly use the pool on the weekends (which would cost us $20 each time if we weren't members), and sometimes use the gym to go and play basketball with DS.

DH and I were in the habit of getting there to work out a couple times a week while DS is in classes, but a couple of things have interfered with this lately. There's a break between swimming sessions right now, my Mom is in the hospital with a broken hip and other related issues and I go there every day, so there's not really spare time right now.

[Abby5]

I belong to Good life too. I have a corporate membership $350/yr. I can go to any Goodlife club..anywhere. Do any class etc...

[xox2010]

Great thread.. I've been researching gyms to see which one fits me best. I'll have to keep checking back for more reviews

[kaylamcd]

Any one have any reviews of Fit4Less... I'm on a student budget, and honestly don't really care about the extras, i just want a place with equipment.

[i_forget]

I had a membership to a local full service club. It had a co-ed and a women's only section, daycare, pool, sauna, classes, trainers. I paid about $45 a month for it, would have been higher if I would have some sort of towel option.

When I first signed up for it, I really liked it. I was starting to get into the habit of going and was noticing a bit of a difference in my appearance and stamina. When I signed up, I was given 15 free daycare passes and 5 free sessions with a trainer. When I did my first (and only) training session, he pushed me WAY too hard (and was nasty to me when I told him it was too hard) and even though I was able to do the work out, I ended up having strained muscles for 3 weeks after and I could barely walk. I wanted to try the classes, but when I went to go to a couple of them, the girls in there were doing things which were not for beginners, but were advertised as beginners....which I found a put off.
The nice weather then came so I just started to do more things outside on my own and aside from using the pool occasionally I never really used it after that. I do not have the "gym mentality". I would rather be outside accomplishing something while I am exercising, I find it more rewarding.

[lovelife101]

When I think about buying a membership, I don't necessarily think about how much it cost, but what you are getting your money out of. I've been to Good Life and World Gym and love both. In my high school sped class we went to three different gyms and compared each based on the classes we attended. It really opened my eyes as to what facility has the best equipment. I remember how uncomfortable using the spin bikes were because they couldn't adjust to my height, so it made the workout harder than it should be. This made me think I wouldn’t really want to go to a place that paid less since I wouldn’t be getting my money’s worth. I pay 39/month (student rate) at World Gym and get access to everything but tanning. They have a ladies only area and a great steam room for after! A nice relaxing way to end your workout. Sometimes they have special deals on like a 30 minute free session with a personal trainer or about indoor/outdoor boot-camps.

All in all though everyone is different and can enjoy certain things about a gym. I would try a drop in session and see what you think and if it suits you. Including atmosphere and all There is a possibility that you could get a punch card if you don’t want a membership. World Gym has a 12 session punch card, which is nice since you’re not paying every month if you’re not going.

[lilo0003]

I pay 59.00 a month. But my gym has an amazing spin studio with lots of class times so I get my money's worth. I used to pay 8.00 a class at a spin studio and would go at least 10 times a month. This way I have a full gym to use as well. I can also suspend my membership in the summer when I am riding outside. It is also a fairly new facility so all the equipment is current. If I ever get up the courage hot yoga is included too

[xox2010]

I signed up at the Y and paid $485 for the full year for a student membership (which translates to $40 / month). There's a sauna, pool and different classes that I could take (I still have to look into when they are.) So far, I'm really liking it.

[toban]

I haven't been to a gym for many years. I was wondering if anyone has a membership at Snap Fitness? There is one within walking distance of where I live.

[amyjenning]

I pay $35/month at Anytime Fitness but I have a feeling those prices are going to drop once the larger chains like Goodlife open up in the area and force them to lower their prices to stay competative.