Thinking of getting gym membership...good prices?

[Frugal]

Would any of you on here know what a reasonable or good price on a monthly gym membership would be? It would have to be under $40/mo., if I would sign up. Also, do you know if you have to sign a contract for a year or two? Iwould like a pay-by-the-month type of place. Thanks!

[Godwynn]

Originally Posted by Frugal

Would any of you on here know what a reasonable or good price on a monthly gym membership would be? It would have to be under $40/mo., if I would sign up. Also, do you know if you have to sign a contract for a year or two? Iwould like a pay-by-the-month type of place. Thanks!

I go to the YMCA, it charges monthly and has a sliding scale of membership dues based on last year's tax returns.

[MonkeyMama]

Look for Fitness 19 if you want a discount gym. I pay $15/month. No frills like showers, saunas, pools, but does the job. No contracts to sign, and you can haggle them down from whatever they are offering.

24 hour fitness is generally reasonable - when I had them I did not have a contract - but that was about 12 years ago... So, things may have changed. (I like Fitness 19 better - WAY less crowded).

[Marto]

I go to LA Fitness for $24 a month. I've never seen a Fitness 19 in my city.

[DaveInPgh]

I totally get wanting to be frugal when it comes to a gym membership, but don't ignore convenience when making the decision. Most importantly, if the gym isn't convenient you are less likely to go. If you do not make it to the gym, you are wasting money regardless of the deal you get. Also, if you are traveling much farther you are using more time and gas money.

I had a Fitness 19 membership. If you are looking for a no thrills gym, you can't beat the price if the location is convenient. If Fitness 19 is an option for you, I strongly recommend checking it out at the time of day you are most likely to workout. The gym near me was far too busy and cramped at the time I wanted to workout.

[cschin4]

Think about how you really live your life. Are you a person who likes going to a gym and will you really use it? If you aren't or are not disciplined enough to really use it, consider other options. There are many ways to keep in shape for free. Walking is great. And, it is fun because you can vary the locations. Sometimes i walk on the outdoor track at the school. Sometimes i walk my dog through the neighborhoods. Sometimes i walk the trails in the woods. I think the real key is to engage an active lifestyle and that may or may not include a gym.

[bjl584]

I pay $29.50 a month for my membership. It's a local family owned gym.

[Gary Barzel]

You can check out Planet Fitness, they offer memberships for $10 a month, and also have free pizza night, every first Monday of the month, and bagel morning, every second Tuesday of the month. The downside is, it's not for those looking to lift heavy weights.

[MonkeyMama]

P.S. YMCA is also a good suggestion. Prices can really run the gammit. It's pretty expensive where I live, so why I didn't think to mention it. (Like - more expensive than most the gyms here!). But, I know in other areas it can be a good deal.

[dawnwes]

I wish I could pass on my $99 per year Bally's Total Fitness membership.

Once we moved here, the nearest one is now too far to go on a regular basis. They keep sending me $99 per year memberships and have for the past 6 years.

Dawn

[Frugal]

Thanks for the ideas. Wish we had a YMCA here...

[Arron93]

Thanks for sharing nice post.

[bjl584]

I pay $29 a month for my membership, but it is an independantly owned business. LA Fitness is around $30 something a month. YMCA can be a good deal, but not all of them are the same. Some have nice facilities, but others not so much.

Check with your HR dept and see if they have any sort of health and wellness program. I get reimbursed $20 a month for my gym membership, so in reality I only pay $9 a month. You can't beat that.

[edg126]

Most local gyms are almost always cheaper since I guess there's less marketing fees built in. I tour of all the facilities within a few miles of my house. Wrote out the prices, etc. Also, just let them know that you are touring other places then will make up your mind, and ask them what they have heard about the other gyms (most job hop or will know from members switching).

I had the option going from $10 to $60 a month (YMCA is ridiculously expensive in Philadelphia) in the end the facility that had my needs was $40, but had an olympic 50m pool, and I like to swim.

[Emerald]

I pay $9.17/month at the city recreation center.

[Kooshiball]

I got 24 hour fitness membership through Costco. Price was $249 per 2 years ($10.38 per month). 24 hour fitness is everywhere and I think it is pretty good deal...

[NewBeginnings]

I go to Planet Fitness and pay $10 a month

[Robert742]

I'm about $25.00 a month with 24 hour fitness, guaranteed for life, and I've been doing it over 10 years?

I agree exercising without a gym is a very good option, but do whatever fits your lifestyle and keeps you exercising.

Make use of free gym passes to help you decide and squeeze in a few free workouts.

[Aehs01]

I work out at home, much cheaper and easier to stick with in the long run. I have lost over 20lbs using programs like P90X and Insanity.

[superstah]

I pay $29 per year for 24-hour fitness -- so that's approx $2.42/month. It's called All club sport access or something like that, where I paid up front $700 for 3 years, with yearly renewal of $29 after that.

I would say it's only worth it to those who have access to 24-hr fitness near them and plan on utilizing the gym very often, for a long time. I've had this plan since 2005, so I've already gotten a lot out of it.