Gym Memberships and Saving Ideas ?

snaffler

I recently reviewed my gym membership and it's ever climbing costs, now at present I go 2 - 3 times a week I pay a flat £36.50 for this and I can go as often as I like.

If I was to switch to PAYG it would set me back £4.90 per session take a typical twice a week visit over 4 weeks (8 Visits) that come to £39.20 the saving on monthly direct debit is £2.70 less than a cost of one visit, which through family commitment I often miss.

Then I reviewed how much can I do that does not involve specialist gym equipment and it was a fair bit all I need was a fit ball and a small selection of weights.

I already own a damn fine mountain bike for cardio work out so I will be making a change to PAYG and going once a week and having a good all round circuit of the stuff I do not have at home.

Any one else in the same boat or can offer some gym money saving tips ?

RacyRed

Some gyms will offer discounted membership if you can organise groups of 5, 10 15 etc people to join at the same time. Sometimes it needs to be a corporate thing through your employer, other times not.

I do this with a group and we save a huge amount. We have to pay upfront for the year, but it is worth it for the massive saving.

It may be worth asking at your gym to see if they have any deals like that available.

Cactus_Jack

Do they have any discount schemes? Mine accepts a card that can be had by everyone here that is aged 11-21. And I think the same applies to people on benefits. Council run card, I think. Lets me join for a month for £18.00 rather than £30.00

RacyRed

I think gyms run in co-operation with local councils usually offer the best deals.

I was lucky and got a great deal (unrestricted use of gym, pool, sauna, classes and more) for less than £20 per month offered to me so haven't really looked around much more than that.

Best advice is to talk to the gyms and see what they are willing to do for you, especially if there is a group of you.

steve_gb

I have tried council gyms and private ones...give me private anytime.
With council ones you have to share the pool and changing areas with the general public which can be crowded and noisy
The dryers and cubicles are not the most up to date also the gym equipment can be over used with long waits for pieces of equipment.

With private gyms most strive to offer the best facilities as there is a lot of competition, if your not happy with something speak to one of the managers they will fall over themselves to rectify the problem. in my experience council gyms do not offer the same level of customer service.

saving-mad

I have been using a council gym for a year now and although it is no frills and has enough equiptment for me to use and is always empty, it has been costing £19 a month i can use any one of four gyms and two pools but only use the one gym, however last week the receptionist told us of a new scheme that is £10 a month or £100 year to just use that gym. needless to say my first membership was cancelled the next day.

they surley are worth a look?

Hawksmuir

We cancelled our joint membership it was costing us £750 / annum.

Now we have our own rowing machine £200, and are looking to buy a weight bench in the next few months another £200. Thought about a running machine but the nights are gettign lighter and warmer so no need.

We also save time in not having to get to and from teh gym, we dont have to wait on machines etc.

Our decision was based upon one of the comments made by Duncan Banatyne on the Dragons Den programme.

On one of the products looking for backing he stated
'I would not pay an annual fee for something I will only use a few times a month'
We thought that was the whole basis of his company, so 2 less subscribers Duncan.

hot.chick

What gym do you go to - some take tesco deal vouchers - mine does and it's holmes place!

1purplefairy

Don't know if this is of any help to you in particular, but when I decided to join a new gym, the last day of the month is by far the best to join. The sales consultants kept on phoning me and offering a free workout... urging me to join and pay membership of £39/ month... I kept them hanging untill the last day of the month, before I went to join...because of the mere fact they all have to meet a certain target of new signups for the month and are really desperate on the last day (for commission purposes i suppose ) I got them to give me membership of £19/ month and contract that I could cancel after just 3 months if i wanted out. I'm still a member and still pay the same rate of £19/month (even though I dont use the gym during winter at all AND have a gym at work free to use by employees - NOT moneysaving- i know!!)
A friend of mine used to be a sales person at a gym ...make sure that when you do join a new gym they throw in as much freebies as possible, otherwise, pretend not to be interested. I walked away with a new gym bag; headphones; waterbottle, and small towel, plus some discount offers for hairdressing and tanning facilities that they have at the gym...

clipboard2

If you live near military areas, make enquiries! The army have top notch facilities for knock down prices. They are never advertised or promoted (army rules?), its word of mouth. I' ve just joined one for 22 quid per month which gives me a personal trainer, unlimited use of gym, unlimited membership of any classes e.g pilates, yoga, body biking/body sculpting etc, free use of their olympic standard 200m lane swimming pool whenever and the cost of hiring e.g a squash court is 3 quid for 45 min!!! And all facilities are immaculate and sparkling clean. And, joy, its never hugely busy - have had whole pool almost to myself!!!