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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:
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.

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.

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:
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:
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 22:54

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:
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:
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

Zazdar · 29/04/2022 23:03

Why do want to join a gym?

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:
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:
ImInStealthMode · 29/04/2022 23:12

I'm currently a member of a really nice and expensive gym and I go more consistently than I have been to any in the past. My top tips;

  • Join a gym that you like to spend time in. Sounds like you already have that covered. I've been to cheaper ones in the past and not enjoyed being there.
  • Mix up what you do. Sometimes I just do weights, sometimes just cardio, sometimes both, sometimes a swim, sometimes a class.
  • I always tell myself I only have to do 20 minutes. 9 times out of 10 I end up staying 45 minutes or an hour once I'm there, but if I said 'an hour' beforehand I'd find reasons not to have time. I've always got 20 minutes.
Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 23:22

Thanks @ImInStealthMode I think that's exactly what I want to hear !

It's a lovely gym as it should be given the price. I'm v excited at the thought of joining up - like you say I could promise myself 20 mins or so in my lunch break which is totally doable and it was very quiet when I went at lunchtime today so not too intimidating

I get it's sensible to sign up for a month first but i can't get past the fact it's essentially £98 per month if I have a test month v £66 over the year if I sign up for the annual at the start.

OP posts:
whatnumber · 29/04/2022 23:25

That's expensive.
Do you have any schemes through work you could get it cheaper on?
I think they do special offers sometimes - or is that the cheapest?
They never seem to waiver the joining fee even if you used to be a member and are rejoining.
The option to do different things really helps to not get bored.
Is now a bad time to join because of summer or is it better so you can exercise in air con!
If I signed up for a year I'd definitely go to get my moneys worth!

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

I know it is expensive isn't it @whatnumber I've looked at cheaper gyms and one is very small and the other two are not very close so I wouldn't be able to visit in my lunch break unless I drive which feels a bit odd?

Yep they wouldn't waive the joining fee and this is a special offer! Two months free and it ends tomorrow

My thinking is that over the year it will be £66 a
Month that's about £15 a week so I should at the very least be going three times a week even for a swim. The plan is to go every day at lunchtime and the boxing class on Saturday

OP posts:
Zazdar · 29/04/2022 23:39

I pay something similar. It includes all classes and a PT. I need the latter as I like to be pushed hard.

Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 23:49

PT included that's v reasonable. This doesn't but I can buy the first three sessions for £30 and thereafter in blocks. I will need some help on the equipment to begin with

OP posts:
Zazdar · 29/04/2022 23:52

The PT included was the first figure, not the £66.

Original poster
Okkie · 29/04/2022 23:57

That's interesting thank you @Zazdar. And you can book them whenever you need to?

OP posts:
Zazdar · 30/04/2022 09:10

There are specific slots for the PT sessions, I can book a free one or add my name to a waiting list in case there is a cancellation. I tend to do one a week plus two or three classes.

You cannot just turn up and train on your own, you have to book a training session or a class. Some might see that as a disadvantage, but it suits me as I like training with other people and it means the place is never overcrowded.

Original poster
Okkie · 30/04/2022 09:22

That sounds amazing @Zazdar I think I will def be signing up for some PT sessions but maybe begin with once a Month as I have to pay extra for them

I'm getting ready now and am going to sign up! Thank you for everybody's advice

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 30/04/2022 09:29

We go to David Lloyd which was a Virgin gym when we joined and my membership is similar. It's worth it if you use it. I do classes most days and my husband swims most days (and children use the kid's clubs too). We use it more than we would a cheaper gym because it's local to us and has very good facilities.

bigTillyMint · 30/04/2022 09:29

I joined my local authority gym (2mins walk away) about 15 years ago and still go 3 times a week (had previously been at another gym for about 10 years too!) My DD came home from uni nearly a year ago and joined and goes 4/5 times a week, usually after work.
Its about routine, obviously! Are you likely to get into a pattern of going regularly?

If we lived near a fancy gym with lovely cafe and hot tubs etc, I think I’d be there every day 😀

Zazdar · 30/04/2022 09:33

Its about routine, obviously! Are you likely to get into a pattern of going regularly?

I second this. It’s an lot easier once you settle into an established routine.

Soffit · 30/04/2022 09:43

If you are a relative novice and also looking for a bit of socialization then the Local Authority gym would probably be best for you. The chains can be a soulless experience unless they are upmarket and undersubscribed and you are paying £££. You wont get pushed unless you pay extra for a personal trainer (still cheaper than private).

The worst experience I have witnessed was in a place frequented by skinny, white yummy mummies (one of those adjectives would inform on the name of the gym).
There was a Middle Eastern woman who signed up and the five regulars did not like the smell of her (natural) perfumed oils. They were openly ganging up on her, moving their mats away from her and ridiculing her during the sessions. They tried to get me to join in but I wasn't interested.

I stopped going soon afterwards due to covid starting. I hope that she did too (she wasn't friendly but she minded her own business which was fine as far as I am concerned). I could not believe that they were all proud mums of daughters and yet they were behaving like mean girls.

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