to think gym memberships are mostly a rip off?

[StuckintheBellJar]

I used to be a member until I was forced to give it up due to financial circumstances. Instead, I bought a couple of dvds and some weights. I'm just as fit if not more so.

Anway, I worked out that with my gym you have to go at least three times a week, every week, or you'd be better off paying as a casual user. I know a few people who are members of the very same gym (council run) and all but one go less than three times a week, every week. Sometimes they'll be good and go every other day and then not go for a month.

I could afford to rejoin, but I can't see the point. It's an emperors new clothes scenario in my opinion.

kitchentiles many (most that I know) people do so much more than just running and cycling. that is not all a gym is.

and. i personally don't drive to mine (unless its raining, or its dark outside) as it is a 10 min walk from my home/20 mins walk to my place of work.

In my area £99 a month for health club membership (gym, pool, sauna, steam and classes - tennis is extra) probably makes it on the high side - though another local club does charge more, so I don't go to the highest fee club in the area.

I have worked out it's around £4.20 per visit based on how often I go. I go a lot. I do 4 classes typically a week, I use the pool/sauna/steam probably 6 times a week maybe more (as I can sometimes go twice a day).

The public swimming pool next door to the health club, charges £4.80 off peek for swimming. Another local public pool charges £5.10

Given that the facilities at the health club are better and I have access to the gym, and exercise classes, I feel for me it's worth paying the membership fee. The health club even provides towels - no need to remember to bring my own.

I would agree with the others that have said Paying Forces You To Go.

If you go often enough, the cost per visit goes down.

I go to the gym flour times a week and do three other classes and play squash three times £34 a month excellent value. Only a rip off if you don't make use of it.

Cheap gyms in London: www.puregym.com/findgym

YANBU. It's a shame it's more expensive if you're in the "most needing exercise" category and just wanting to start a gentle exercise programme of once or twice a week. Not a great incentive really.

It is silly to pay for something you're not going to use, but that's hardly the gym's fault.

My gym membership costs $99 for the year (uni rec centre - very cheap), I go 4 times a week. If I'm running or biking instead of doing a gym workout I'll still go to use the showers, so it's definitely not a ripoff. I'm probably saving money by never showering at home!

I agree.

My local virgin wanted over 80 a month, and creche on top. I did not sign up! Who has that kind of money??

£80 is cheap for a virgin, tbf.

It was over £80 birds, can't remember exactly how much, but remember thing that's ridiculous and ending the conversation pretty quickly!

YABU - some are a rip off but not all.

I pay £38/month and that involves gym, classes, tennis, badminton, swimming...I go almost every day and certainly get my moneys worth.

Mine's good value, I can gym & swim at my local leisure centre for £19.99 per month.

Fitness first hammer smith is £40 a month. Not bad really, as I do a class a couple of times and one yoga class nearby is £12 a class. So a yoga/ Zumba and a few gym workouts seems worth it for £10 a week

A lot of people say £40 a monh is too much but many of them have coffee out/ smoke etc.. If you gave up coffee from costa 3 times a week that's almost gym membership

You have to use most gyms a huge amount to get money's worth, I think some people don't appreciate that.
Then again, they hope that by paying that much up front they'll be motivated to go lots (I would be, if I could tolerate gyms at all!). We have a squash-only membership & I am keeping close track of how many games we play to see if we'll get our money back (maybe).

Some gyms folk only join certain gyms to make sure they only have to interact in changing rooms with select types of people, too. "Value for money" means different things to different sorts.

Our local leisure centre is £70/month for a full family membership (covers DC under 16), some fees still apply (classes). My squash membership is £10/month for me + DS12, we need to play only 15 games this year to make it worth while over day membership fee alternative (£4 per person!).

Moneys worth is subjective. I go between once and four times a week, depending, and I consider it worth the money.
I'm sure most people can easily work out their own cost per visit and whether it is worth it for them

Yeah, I think unreasonable. I do understand what you are saying and before I joined one and started going I might have agreed with you but I don't begrudge paying for my gym. I only need to go twice a week to make it worth it, in reality I go 4 times and I get to pick and choose what I fancy; classes, gym, swimming... can just choose when I get there. My payment gives me part of the motivation I need.

There is a lot of exercise you can do without joining and if that works for you, great! I don't think I work as hard to DVD in my house as I do in a class with others.

Gym memberships are not a rip-off insofar as they give you a price and you decide whether or not you want to pay it.

Having said that, they are not IMHO good value for money. The local leisure centre is usually cheaper and the roads and parks are free

LadyKooKoo what's Pure Gym like? I'm thinking of joining but its a 15-20 min drive from home plus I'd have to pay for parking so I'm pretty undecided!

I'm at Harpers gym because it's the only one near where I live that does spinning classes. If I didn't like the classes I'd join the local leisure centre.

And it's worth it if you use it!

Local leisure centres are fab value IME.
Some private gyms just don't want you if you don't fit one of their boxes - I found three that refused to give me a swimming pool-only membership or do pay as you go; I had to pay at least £30/month if I wanted their lovely members for company and their fluffy towels.

I went to the council pool in the same building and bought myself some lovely towels. :)

I think gyms are the biggest waste of time ever. If you want to get fit, buy a bike, or go for a run or something in the outdoors.

that said, I pay monthly at the local council-owned leisure centre to use the pool. it still costs me £30 a month which I think is very steep, even though I do go 6 days a week.

Cumbria

£30 a month for unlimited swimming!? That sounds excellent value - just over £1 a swim

cumbria that is excellent value! or are you hoping or free. if so, there is always a winter wetsuit and the sea...

I pay £34 per month for my gym. that is fabulous value. if I go 4 times a week I do gym/swim/sauna or class/swim/sauna. that is something like £10 a pop, that is my money's worth in one week.

And I get free passes each month so take a friend along for a swim/sauna.

Also, I can take my children swimming in the pool for free every day between 2-5pm.