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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed that I have to pay for gym membership whilst others don't?

124 replies

Aworryingtrend · 21/02/2011 12:31

I know I need to don my hard hat but I really am Hmm about this.

I have just joined my local council-run gym to try and tone up and lose weight. This is costing £23 a month which whilst not a huge amount to some people is a fairly significant amount to DH & I.

AIBU to annoyed that whilst I have to pay for the privelige of using the gym and pool, others can attend completely free under the NHS exercise referral scheme or by being in receipt of some benefits?

OP posts:
miso · 21/02/2011 14:04

People do tend to be a bit better motivated to attend a gym session. That's not rocket science, it's why the rest of us who can afford sometimes choose to fork out when we could run round the park for free as well.

It's off peak - the gym would probably be half-empty any way, with the same amount of staff required to keep it open.

Giving subsidised access during off-peak probably costs almost nothing but the benefits to society as a whole are comparatively larger.

BaggedandTagged · 21/02/2011 14:04

"why can't heart attack victims just go for a run? Have you thought that through at all?"

Fair point Grin, but actually, going for a walk would do them just as much good as just arsing around on the ergo or exercise bike. It's not like they're making full use of the free weights.

RamblingRosa · 21/02/2011 14:05

YABU

BuzzLiteBeer · 21/02/2011 14:07

going for a walk does not have at all the same effects of using the equipment properly at the gym, not at all.

What does it matter though? How can anyone have a problem with ill people getting access to a place that can make them better and keep them out of the costly hospital rooms?

GypsyMoth · 21/02/2011 14:08

I'm doing the couch to 5k running programme........ The nhs podcast for it is entirely free, I felt my fitness returning immediately and is more accesible to me than any gym!

miso · 21/02/2011 14:10

I pay for a private gym, but you know what - I actually really LIKE that it's a part of a community resource, with rooms for music sessions etc that are accessible to low income / non-working parents to take their childen too, cheaper swimming for OAPs and families on IS.

It makes me feel that "we're all in this together" a helluva sight more than a few things that are going on at the moment.

ScramVonChubby · 21/02/2011 14:11

Surely it's purely a cost-benefit thing? AFAIK nothing like this works locally anyway before someone accuses me (Wink) but people losingw eight at a free or sunsidised rate is likely to decrese costs to NHS and apaprenlty even increase their chances of employment (sure I read research about heavier people and less chance at interview).

Whereas you- and I when I could afford it, I now just no longer go- are either prioritising the cost or able to find it at all.

Make it right? quite possibly not. Make it sensible? I think so.

eggontoastie · 21/02/2011 14:12

what a load of troll-ops

DooinMeCleanin · 21/02/2011 14:13

YABU. I am entitled to reduced price gym and swimming because we recieve certain benefits.

I'll swap you for your higher income and non epiletic status if you like? I'd rather have that than free gym.

johnthepong · 21/02/2011 14:14

I got the exercise referral- it wasnt free- and I pay £20 a month to use the gym or pool whenever I want. When I first started I was massively overweight- BMI over 50- there was NO WAY I could have "just gone for a run"- I would have had a heart attack.
I started my gym prescription a year ago and it has done me the world of good- my fitness has improved so much- the other weekend I did actually just go for a run and ran 3.5km! I use the pool about 4-5 times a week and only paying £20 a month makes it affordable for me- I also pay creche fees on top (which arent subsidised)- personally I think the gym has done very well out of me, and I out of them.

splashyy · 21/02/2011 14:16

Gym membership is given on prescription because it is cost effective.

YABU

People in receipt of benefits get a discount, not free entry, and for this privilege they need to pay for a discount card for the year.

Get your facts right before you moan!

If it costs too much for you then go jogging instead.

splashyy · 21/02/2011 14:16

Gym membership is given on prescription because it is cost effective.

YABU

People in receipt of benefits get a discount, not free entry, and for this privilege they need to pay for a discount card for the year.

Get your facts right before you moan!

If it costs too much for you then go jogging instead.

BringOnTheGoat · 21/02/2011 14:17

I have a platinum memebership (that's gym, all classes, swimming, etc - anytime) free for 12 weeks thanks to GP refferal. They refer you to a an NHS weight loss scheme - you discuss it with a team member and they help decide what is best plan for you. They decided gym for me. I have lost 2kgs in 4 weeks and am really enjoying it. I have battled with my weight my whole life. Shame that annoys some of you but I am doing well Smile

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 21/02/2011 14:20

Maybe not unreasonable but it's not something I mind about. I'm just glad to be able to pay my own membership rather than be in a position of needing to have to have it paid for me.

iscream · 21/02/2011 14:21

Going to a gym is a good thing for peoples health, both physically and mentally, regardless of whether they have bad or good health to begin with. Healthier people are more productive and will save the government/tax payers in the long run.
It isn't as if it is a luxury spa and they are getting free facials and pedicures.

BaggedandTagged · 21/02/2011 14:31

Going to the gym is good for people's health BUT given what many people do at the gym, I'm not convinced that they wouldn't reap the same benefits from a brisk walk. I mean, if you're not in good enough health to jog, what are you going to do other than a bit of light cardio and some light weights?

Access to a swimming pool would be the exception.

Gyms are a solution and are good for certain types of intense fitness and strength work. They're not the only solution.

BringOnTheGoat · 21/02/2011 14:32

True they are not the ONLY solution but they are probably a good solution for those who have been sent there by a GP Hmm

BuzzLiteBeer · 21/02/2011 14:35

Brisk walk does fuck all for people with specific needs, and GP's generally know what is best for their patients, better than internet randoms anyway.

ratspeaker · 21/02/2011 14:41

Before comenting I thought I'd look it up
Doesn't seem to be free gym memebership in my area for JSA/DLA
Maybe its just your council?

CancerMadeMeUnfit · 21/02/2011 15:07

I'm astounded at the ignorance displayed on this thread.

I became very unfit throughout a long illness. I had chemotherapy which made me sensitive to cold, so I couldn't go out for a walk in the winter. Doing the school run was an achievement. I had a lot of steroids, became overweight and depressed. I had mobility problems due to complications so a lot of exercise was just too much for me.

Despite my scarring and strange lumps and bumps on my body I managed to drag myself to the local swimming pool.

I was referred to the Passport to Health scheme so I could have three months with a personal trainer at the local sports centre. It was obvious I needed specialist help to regain full mobility.

I was very excited. It was just what I needed. The PCT called me. First question "And do you currently do any exercise?". Honest, enthusiastic fool that I am I replied that I tried to go swimming twice a week. That was it. I was rejected from the scheme for already being too active.

I still suffer from frequent pains and mobility problems. I know I need qualified help to regain full use of my body.

I've had no extra state help at all during this period of illness, which has cost my family a great deal of money. I think it would be extremely sensible to send me now to aid my recovery. As it is, I fear I'll spend the rest of my life in pain due to shit follow up. From my point of view it would be an excellent use of NHS funds. Three months of a PT now would cost them about £100. I can't imagine what my future NHS physio and drug bill will be.

LadyOfTheManor · 21/02/2011 15:17

Yes, my sil is fat she gets it for free, I am not so fat and I have to pay...

YANBU

LadyOfTheManor · 21/02/2011 15:18

By free she pays £1 a week; and yes on a doctor's referral.

CancerMadeMeUnfit · 21/02/2011 15:26

And I am not "fat". I am overweight, yes, but my main problem is that I am unable to exercise properly due to my illness.

moondog · 21/02/2011 15:30

Well, how about eating less for a start?

LadyOfTheManor · 21/02/2011 15:30

I wasn't referring to you I answered the OP without reading the thread.

Bad timing, sorry