University Gyms/Fitness centres

anewman

I am intending to go to The University of Leeds to do a post graduate course. Not sure why I am up at 3am posting this message though . As a result of being on the internet too much, and a bad diet, I have a big belly and bags full of clothes that no longer fit me. I did not bother with the Gym when I went to The University of Huddersfield as an undergraduate. I have to say I saw it from outside and wasn't overly impressed with what I saw. Also I lived in Leeds while I studied there, so if I ever felt like a trip to the gym it would have meant a bit of travelling - whereas Leeds is a short bus ride/25-30 min walk.

I have been trying to compare the prices of Gyms of The University of Leeds and other Gyms in the Leeds area.

Full membership of The University of Leeds Gym is £90 for the year giving access to classes and a fitness centre etc. A £45 membership is also available with 50p per use charge. This means you would have to use the facilities less than 90 times a year to make it cheaper, although a straight £90 and no 50p's could be more convenient.

LA Fitness in Leeds is £18 per month for weekend only use (£216 a year) or £29 a month otherwise (£348). So the University Gym is a saving of possibly £200 in comparison with other gyms.

What are other people's experiences of University Gyms? Are they a good thing or a bad thing? Are the facilities generally good and on par with more expensive venues? Do they offer good value for money?

If you're more of a lazy type of person (like me) how do you avoid paying the registration fee and going once or twice, then going lots once your membership is about to finish and not getting the money's worth through the whole year? (Yes yes I guess the answer here is to have some determination to achieve some goals and to make sure you go - but I was hoping for some creative answers to this question if anyone has any )

CM86_2

University gyms are pretty bog standard, whereas the other gyms are much nicer (i.e. Fitness First offers free DVD rentals, a sauna etc.), but you pay for them through the nose! The £45 deal sounds pretty good to me.... Are you really going to go 90 times to justify paying the full price? £200 is a pretty good saving if you don't mind the barebones option, which, let's face it, paying £200 more isn't gonna make it any more enjoyable!

And why am I up at 3am replying?

anewman

CM86 wrote:

And why am I up at 3am replying?

hehe

One annoying thing about gym websites is they all seem to say to call the Gym for prices. I guess the business Idea is then they invite you for a free session etc etc and try sweeten you up with a personal trainer giving you lots of attention, and then when it comes to the money they have some overcomplicated price schemes. Why oh why can't they just publish the prices straight and upfront on their websites so they can be compared? Hmmm.

Yeah I guess the £45 and 50p ain't too bad. Apparently you can upgrade memberships but cannot downgrade so it seems like the obvious choice

Sazbo

I'd agree. University gyms are the no-frills option - you get what you pay for - in true MSE style! :money: I 'upgraded' to a private gym once I started working fulltime and I had more spare cash.

Maybe you could start with the uni gym, see how you like it, then consider whether you want to spend more on the fancy extras at a later date...

hth

Ollieda

Try seeind if joining a sports team at uni will give you free accses to the uni gym. Some teams will ask for only a small registration fee like £40 then you can use the gym for free as much as you like. This works as a double as you get to use the gym and also keep fit by participating in sport. And if you can't be really bothered to full commit to a uni sports team then most unis will have a few teams in soem sports that are not as compatative as normal and more there as a social purpose - although these are probally less likely to give you free gym accses!

daleuk_3

My uni gym (Sheffield Hallam), costs £74 off peak 12 month membership!

All the stuff is really good, excellent free weights and all the latest stuff.

TBH you wont generally find any better for the same price.

mhoc

I think the distance might be a problem. They say you have to work or live withing 10 minites of your gym wether you drive or work so if it is not on the way to or back to work or uni or college (OK or the pub) then you will give up on it.

(Other considerations might be where the gym is situated. Our nearest is only 5 minites away, fine on the way but on the way back I would have to either drive left through town, 3 round abouts and a set of lights or go right around a massive roundabout with 6 sets of lights at each section. I dont see the point in going and having a lovely relaxing swim only to have my nerves frazzled and risk life and limb on the way back!)

The other thing is work out is how much is a guest pass. If your gym has a swimming pool it is a good social place to take girlfriends/boyfriends, makes a change from the usual round of pubs/cinemas/eating places

Mary