Saving on gym memberships

[bjl584]

Shop around. A local gym may be more competitive than some chains

Pay in full if possible for a year or 6 months as opposed to paying monthly

See if your health insurance plan offers a discount or reimbursement for a gym membership

Look for deals and sales before joining. If there isn't one advertised, ask. Prices are often negotiable

If you have the space, build your own home gym and avoid a membership altogether

If you do have a membership, use it. Most people pay the fee and never go

[disneysteve]

1. The closer to home the gym is, the more likely you will go. Several studies have shown that once the drive exceeds 5 miles, usage drops dramatically. Find a gym no more than 10-15 minutes away.

2. Be realistic about which equipment and facilities you will actually use regularly. It's great to tour a gym with 3 pools and a sauna and a climbing wall and a full docket of classes and training sessions and more but if all you will really use is a treadmill and a couple of dumbbells, you don't need to pay for all of the other stuff.

3. Most gyms offer a free day pass to check them out.

4. Ask local friends where they go. They can often bring a guest for free. They also may get a referral bonus if you join through their recommendation.

[ua_guy]

Gym equipment for at home can be purchased at substantial discounts when buying used. A lot of gym equipment for home use isn't used, so people get rid of it when they need to move, or need the space.

We don't have a gym nearby, so we purchased a gym-grade elliptical used. It's just something we can jump on and keep active when the weather is bad. Didn't spend too much, so I have no problem with it sitting for periods while we focus our activity on other things.