is it worth haggling over private gym joining fees?

[geekgrrl]

I'm thinking of joining the local private gym but am really put off by the joining fee. It's not much better than the very nice & new council gym, but the creche is open all day and classes are at better times, so am reasonably happy to pay the higher monthly rate and be properly tied in (which you aren't with the council gym).
Don't want to pay the ?120 joining fee though! Is it worth going on a tour and then trying to haggle over it? Or will it expose me as a penny-pinching pleb who should enter this temple of yummy-mummyhood?

'shouldn't' even

You may find when you go there is sme form of special offer on joining fees. There often is, especially at key times like end of summer and just after Christmas.

My gym is doing a Commit to Get Fit campaign at the moment. You pay £14 for 14 days. Dh and I have joined up and I can take the children swimming there. If we decide to join up properly at the end of the 14 days the joining fee will be £20 instead of £195!!!!!!!!!!!!!. So it may be worth holding on and see if there are any offers afoot.

Yes, go on the tour - gyms often waive the joining fee, so it's worth a try.

my gym waved my fee cause my friend was a member
its worth a try
only 4 mths till christmas

ok, thanks, will try.

yes as others say - there's usually some offer on to waive joining fees or reduce them significantly. Are there any other gyms in the area (other than council one) - if you find out theirs too it might give you some bargaining power if you need it.

just rang them and they've got a special offer on this month - £25 joining fee.

Gosh, you guys are so british!!! I can't imagine something that I wouldn't haggle over.

Yes, haven't read other posts, but I haven't ever joined a gym where they weren't willing to do some special deal to get my membership. I certainly would expect them to waive the joining fee. Will now read other posts to see what everybody else thinks...