Do you think expensive gyms are worth the money?

[Junaluma]

I have been going to the gym on-and-off for over a decade and what has really helped me stick to it I think is going to an expensive gym.

I used to go to PureGym when I was a teenager and thought as I’m paying for it, I will go and while it started off well, I eventually stopped going as it wasn’t much money and there wasn’t a fixed contract so I could just cancel whenever I wanted.

I now go to a more premium gym where I am fixed into a contract and I go 4-5 times a week and have been going to the gym for nearly a year without quitting. I actually look forward to classes now and exercises as it’s a lovely place to workout and you have a pool to use which is great as I love to swim.

What is everyone else’s thoughts? Has this made a difference to you?

Absolutely yes. I had a Virgin Gym membership when I worked in the city and it made me actually turn up for classes! Now I'm WFH and run outside (sob) because there are only cheap gyms nearby and they all (in my opinion - I've visited them all) suck 😬

If I ever work in London again I may well get a Third Space membership. The difference good exercise classes make to my mental health are quite honestly life changing.

No not with the numerous online classes I can attend at my convenience at home.

I was a member for years of the expensive, fanciest gym in my area but it got too busy after Covid when smaller gyms closed and classes were also at times which did not suit me. No longer battling to get a car park space, book my spot in a class or patiently waiting my turn for equipment.

I am about to start work in central London and am giving up my David Lloyds membership as I know I won't get there with the commute. It's a shame because I love going there but it is too expensive to justify going once a week.

what is a 'third space' membership? - don't worry , I found it . That is out of my price range but looks amazing

https://www.thirdspace.london/

260 per month or more

@LCM001a highly recommend Virgin Active if you want something a bit cheaper! Personally I prefer it to David Lloyd.

Wish we had a Third Space near me, have to slum it in David Lloyd which is the best of a bad lot but not worth the money. It’s dirty and crowded with poor classes. If Pure Gym was nearer I’d go there but sadly DL is my closest gym. Strange because it markets itself as upmarket and it really isn’t. I know some DLs are better than others, mine is a mid tier one but totally grim.

They can be but depends what you use it for and how often. I don't do classes and I'm mainly interested in the weights (both machine and free). My priorities are clean, equipment always working and no big waits to use it. I go to a My Gym which ticks all those boxes and its 23 a month. It works for me as realistically I'm also only going twice a week due to time - paying more wouldn't make me go more IYSWIM as I also need to get my runs in. It also has a v low twat count which is nice, but tbh the DL could also have that and I wouldn't know, but I do know that it's constantly being complained about for feral kids, not enough parking and broken equipment/ lockers so.....

My local DL is good in some areas, and in desperate need of a refurbishment in others. I don't think it is worth the money they charge at all, except that it has a heated outside pool that I can swim in all year round. That is what drew me to it, but I struggle to get there working from home all the time, I won't get any use out of it once I am travelling back into London.

@LittleRedRidingHoody I have found one near my new workplace, I might go and have a visit once I start my new job. It looks good and it is so much cheaper than DL

Location matters most. If it's inconvenient, you won't go there often no matter what the budget/ facilities are like.

Then it's having facilities that you want to use. Is it comfortable and practical for you to use?

If you've got the budget and feel enticed by somewhere fancier go for it. DH goes to a fancy gym and can sign a guest (me!) in, and that's worth it as taking the company is motivating, and if it's a night when we're not feeling the love, we can spend more time in the spa and still come out feeling good.

I eyed up a new, budget gym locally, but the class timetable doesn't suit me so it's not worth signing up.

OneGym near us well actually one in both towns each side of us so convenient. Classes at good times and I only pay £24 per month which is great as I go approx 8 times a week so pennies if broken down.

If I attended somewhere close for one off sessions I'd pay £6 per session

Best thing I have ever done and have hit a full year now of gym going. First time ever.

I enjoy separate places. So the local leisure centre for gym and a swim, plus a different leisure centre of the same chain for a swim once a week (the timing is better at that one on that day) I go to a physio run Pilates class in a church hall and a yoga class at a specialist yoga studio. I used to go to a separate specialist weights gym as well but it was just too much of a drive. I like waking up doing something different each day.

I stumbled on this thread just at the right time. There are no decent gyms in my area but work in central lomdon so am having a look at options. If anyone has any reccomendations for a good pool and classes? I would really like reformer pilates included. I do think paying a bit more makes me stick to it.

I’ve been a member of my local Gym Group gym for about 18 months now, very basic but the location is perfect for me & I’ve made a few friends. It’s not remotely instagrammable which might be why there hasn’t been much of a new year rush.

I recommended it already upthread but Virgin Active were great, depending on where in London you'll be and what time you want classes. I always went during my lunch-break and there were always Reformer Pilates class spots for then on the app. I also swam sometimes at lunchtime and pretty much had the entire pool to myself - it does fill up after 5pm though. If I work in the city again I want to try Third Space, but more because I'm curious than anything else.

Thank you, unfortunately i dont get a lunch hour so it would either be 7am or 5/6pm bit i guess if I am organised with booking classes it shouldnt be an issue. There is a virgin and 3rd space that would be convenient for commute line so i will take a look.

I go to the council's not-for-profit gym which is currently £39 a month, unlimited classes, swimming pool, full gym, running track, toning suite, etc. It's not fancy but it has a nice coffee shop in the reception area, it's clean, it's friendly, and most importantly, it's seven minutes' drive from my house. I go 3-4 times a week, sometimes more. Honestly I can't fault it.

There are other, more expensive/trendier, options locally, but none of the £££ chains. And I don't think I'd pay extra for posher facilities, anyway - I go to exercise, not to relax or meet friends, so convenience, good instructors, and normal sweaty middle-aged people in the classes are higher up on my list. And lack of mirrors.

Yes

I pay £53 a month and go 4-5 times a week....3 spin classes and weights. There's a decent pool, sauna and steam room and it's 10 minute drive from home.
I see a PT outside of the gym .

Hmmm I don't understand how a more expensive gym will make you want to use it more. My gym is free as it comes with the apartment and I use it five times a week. It's not fancy but it’s enough for what I want to do and I like my routine

I used to be right next to a Third Space at work in the river

It was brilliant and worth it but location is too far now

I went to the Muscle Pit in Dewsbury for ages (before I moved away).

Could easily be described as an absolute dump.

Cheap.

Dodgy area.

I LOVED it and it suited all of my needs perfectly.

So in short, no. I don't go to the gym for fancy equipment or luxury, I go to stay fit and build muscle and it worked well for me.

My motivation for the gym is to improve, sweat and enjoy. There is absolutely zero correlation between the cost and my motivation. I simply cannot fathom needing to spend more to be more motivated.

In fact the best workout i do at present costs me £3 for a local community facility. I go to the class, max out my heart rate and spend 60 mins in zone 4 & 5. I come out a sweaty mess. Its absolutely the best workout ive ever done.

I go to an expensive gym - but it's not at all fancy. What makes it expensive is it's small weights classes so it's like almost getting one to one fitness training 3 times a week. But it sure ain't fancy!

I think convenience would win over cost for me too but i am more lilely to stay in london for an hour after work if i have paid quite a lot for it, it guilts me into going.

I think the issue is that if you are tied into an expensive contract you will make use of it.

If it's cheap and you can cancel when you like, it's easier to lose motivation to go.

I don't have a gym membership, I use a couple of apps, run with a club and do outside exercise classes. All that requires some intrinsic motivation but if you don't have that, paying £££ helps!