Gym membership question

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Gyms have different packages based on want and need. Sometimes people choose the most expensive and all inclusive package but do not need all the amenities that come with it (i.e. some gyms charge an extra $10 for access to tanning beds but many of us don't need nor want tanning).

Tell them your concerns and that you are going to shop around. Tell whatever gym you check out how much you're interest in paying. They are salespersons and are willing and able (regardless of what they tell you) to give you a 19.99-29.99 package to get you. They'd rather have 29.99 than 0. Don't let them fast talk you as salespersons do. Stick to your guns and they'll most likely bend.

This is great advice - they're trying to sell you a product, and there's some wiggle room usually built into the prices that they're offering to you. At my gym in Boston, I was able to work them down from a $65 monthly charge to around $55.

Besides the amenities DrPhil referred to, some gyms charge extra for the access to sister gyms in the area (Gold's Gym and the New York/Boston/Philly Sports Clubs do this). Sometimes you can decline that perk in exchange for a lower monthly rate.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

This is great advice - they're trying to sell you a product, and there's some wiggle room usually built into the prices that they're offering to you. At my gym in Boston, I was able to work them down from a $65 monthly charge to around $55.

Besides the amenities DrPhil referred to, some gyms charge extra for the access to sister gyms in the area (Gold's Gym and the New York/Boston/Philly Sports Clubs do this). Sometimes you can decline that perk in exchange for a lower monthly rate.

People need to carefully read what comes with the packages and prices. Ask questions.

A lot of people are just bad consumers so they eagerly sign anything.

Also, AOII, find out whether any organizations that you belong to or work for offer free or discounted gym memberships. You may have already looked into this.

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

People need to carefully read what comes with the packages and prices. Ask questions.

A lot of people are just bad consumers so they eagerly sign anything.

Also, AOII, find out whether any organizations that you belong to or work for offer free or discounted gym memberships. You may have already looked into this.

Thanks for the advice. I've been checking with the orgs of which I'm a member (my workplace doesn't really offer that sort of thing - school district that is having to cut an additional 3.5 mil for the next year), and the other local gym. I do have to say, other gym - not so nice, and not even willing to let me work out there for a week without signing anything. They were trying to hard sell me and I told them to pound sand.

There's no tanning, so that's not a part of their membership. I figured it's because they've just opened and it's the supreme facility that they are trying to be firm on the price for right now. I also just looked into joining that gym as opposed to all of the 24hr fitness facilities and that's the price they were quoting.

I'll give it some time, they'll probably go down on price or be willing to negotiate to meet membership quotas eventually. I know they will negotiate, it's just a matter of time. I can wait and work out at home for now.Thanks DrPhil and KSig.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by AOII_LB93

Thanks for the advice. I've been checking with the orgs of which I'm a member (my workplace doesn't really offer that sort of thing - school district that is having to cut an additional 3.5 mil for the next year), and the other local gym. I do have to say, other gym - not so nice, and not even willing to let me work out there for a week without signing anything. They were trying to hard sell me and I told them to pound sand.

Will your insurance reimburse any of it for you? If I go to the gym 50 times in a 6-month period (more or less once every 3 days), then I get $200 back from my insurance company. Many of the big insurers offer it, even now. My former employer's insurance had a corporate discount for the same gym.

I remember reading somewhere that it's best to go to the gym at the end of the month, since they're looking to fill up quotas for the month. I hate dealing with gym salespeople and have been dealing with the same guy for about 4 years now. He knows that I know what other gyms are offering and can usually match it. I pay about $75 a month, but that's here in NYC and I can go to any gym in their system, and that includes all sorts of classes and a few 24-hour locations.

[epchick]

44 a month? I think that's a good price....well depending on what you get for that price. I'm a member of Her Gym, and I pay (well my mom does...lol) around 50 a month (after taxes).

If you have a Planet Fitness in your area, i'd check them out. They usually have some really cheap prices....but with them, you get what you pay for---if you know what i mean.