Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Original poster

Can you tell me your experience of joining a gym?

36 replies

Okkie · 29/04/2022 22:38

Contemplating joining a gym-virgin if it's relevant so has swimming pool spa sauna etc

I do really want to join but I would hate to sign up for the year and not go

What is your experience of joining a gym? Did you join and fall out of the habit and regret it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 23:07

Reasons I would like to join the gym

I have just finished an UG degree and feel like I have loads of free time and want to fill it
For my well being
Would be nice to tone up
Enjoy running but am just so bored of the same run.
Finally have a job that pays a wage where I can afford the gym and would like to try it
Really like the thought of learning lots of new things boxing Pilates weights etc

OP posts:
Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 23:04

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Ive no idea why I'm asking really it almost feels like I'm asking permission!

I do run but I'm just bored of running In the same old park or route. So it's not totally out of my remit to exercise regularly and stick to it. That was five years ago after starting couch to 5k

It's 10 minutes walk from my house. And they do 45 minutes classes so I could go in my lunch break

Pleased to hear you're still going - what made you sign up and what do you do? Classes? Weights?

OP posts:
Zazdar · 29/04/2022 23:03

Why do want to join a gym?

Coughee · 29/04/2022 22:59

Hm. I'm naturally cautious and I know I'd end up feeling like gym was a chore I had to complete if I'd signed up for a year which would paradoxically put me off going! But I can definitely see why you're tempted. I've been going to mine for 3 years now so it's not a given that people sign up and give up. Mine is full of the same faces/regulars too

Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 22:55

Forgot to add you don't get two months free if you go from monthly to annual membership

OP posts:
Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 22:54

Yes you are right @Coughee it's the saving that is tempting me and that's why they do it isn't it. I visited today and tried to get them to waive the joining fee but they wouldn't

OP posts:
Coughee · 29/04/2022 22:50

Yeah but you wouldn't pay monthly for a year would you? You'd either pay for a month and decide it isn't for you or love it and then sign up for a year. So you would actually be spending an extra £15 to ensure you haven't wasted hundreds on a membership you won't use. Doing it for a month means you have a really good chance of trying out the classes, seeing how it fits in with your routine etc. Most gyms will drop their joining fee too - might be worth asking about that. They use it as a negotiation tool.

Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 22:46

I know it's an odd question @Zazdar! I've no idea why I've asked it that way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 22:45

I should have probably said that because of course signing up for a month trial is sensible.

I've visited on a guest pass and have visited for a tour twice. No problems there, I liked it and it's very clean. Classes not too overbooked. Not too busy.

The either do a month sign up which is £95 plus £40 joining fee or with the annual is £80 a month and two months free. So I'm guess I'm tempted by the cheaper overall spend which of course is what they want! £1180 v £800. I'll be saving £380 over the year on the annual pass

OP posts:
Zazdar · 29/04/2022 22:41

I’m not sure how anybody else’s experience can stop you joining a gym and not going.

If it helps, I joined a gym four years ago and still go several times a week.

Coughee · 29/04/2022 22:40

Can you sign up for a shorter period of time? I went to mine on a guest pass initially. Then paid for a month. Then 3 months. And then when I was sure I would commit, paid for a year.