Gym membership cost cutting

gymbumm

I'd like to add to the gym memberships thread if I may :j

I belong to a club called Ist Health in Bournemouth. It is a small gym but with highly thought of with very attentive, knowledgeable trainers, one being and ex-para, one who works for an airline company as cabin crew but he is leaving to devote more time to "his baby" - of course I mean his Gym:rotfl:and last but not least a young man who is training to be a Personal Trainer but has obviously vast knowledge and is very popular

I suffer depression and agoraphobia and have actually managed to attend this gym for the last year purely as I live close and because they are extremely understanding.
There are a few other members who also have some personal problems but we are always listened to and helped and it's never too much trouble! :T
The nice thing is, is that there is no competition unless you want there to be ie; if a trainer is working with a group of people and they're doing a specific workout, then yes because that's part and parcel

There is no sign up fee. :eek:
The tariff is £30 per month but they request that you have at least 1 Personal Training session in that month on that tariff.
There is a PAYG tariff, just pay £6 each time you come in.
The last tariff is you can pay for PT only @ £30 per session and there is a nice big discount should you block book.
Or you can simply book a trainer as and when you wish and then do your own thing the rest of the time......you are always kept an eye on and there is always at least 1 trainer there with a maximum of about 10 members in the gym at one time;)
Even though these tariffs are in effect, the trainers there [3 of them] will train you personally each time you come in and until you feel confident enough to go it alone and you're never required or obliged to pay for that.
They also have NO CONTRACT to tie you to the gym so you are free to come and go as you wish. Quite how long that will be effective, we don't know.
There are about 70 members but it's not a 'busy' gym, it's also not 'noisy' which is a bonus but it is an easy, relaxed but professional gym.
I am lucky as it is just a half mile from me and I cannot praise it enough!
I'm not sure if I can leave a number here so if there is a way that I can, please let me know and I'll leave details :money:

** I need to add also that you are given the BMI test, an assessment and a medical questionnaire of which, you will have to submit a letter or whatever it is your doctor will do, to the gym owners to declare you fit to join and embark on physical exercise

dearbarbie

hi there - just wondering if anyone knows about deals at virgin active, particular corporate membership? does it depend on your employer?

brightonman123

why are these gyms so puchy? i thought most people sign up, then dont even go, so they get their money for less work..

simon55

Not sure I should post this here or on the tax forum...

...but if you are lucky enough to have an employer who provides a gym and it is not open to the public, the subscriptions you pay can come out of your pay before tax & NI deductions!!!

Paparika

I don't like gyms, i can never go when i want to, and i don't like the giggly super fit people there.

i bought a Wii fit instead, much more fun

slewis1972

Hi

has anyone seen any deals on David Lloyd/Cannons or even the local one to be - RiverBourne in chertsey, Surrey?.

Where I do have a Wiifit, I also need someone where I can do some more physical workouts. David Lloys look good as I see they also do family memberships and stuff for the kids, whcih could appeal as can then get the whole family involved.

Scott

colmax

Only thing I will say is, be verrrrrrrrrry careful with David Lloyd. The local one to us has a terrible reputation for being aloof and even rude. People have reported having big difficulties cancelling their contracts even after 12 months. Check your contract verrrrrry carfully, before you sign.

Colin

RobUK_2

JoeyEmma wrote: »

Fitness First will give you discount if you work for the NHS? It saves me £5 a month and makes it much cheaper than taking out separate insurance

Does anyone know if this is till the case? (and is it still £5 you save?) Also, can you get a discount at any other gym if you work for the NHS?

Do you think it would be best to negotiate a deal first and then tell them you work for the NHS to get a further reduction? Or just tell them from the outset?

One final question, do you think I would get a better deal if I waited until January? Isn't that when most of the offers are on?

DanCogz

I joined the Holmes Place gym in Staines in approx November 2006. Virgin Active took them over last year sometime. My membership has been £65.00 per month since i started, however i found out the other day that £51.00 was the maximum membership fee you could get. I called Virgin Active explaining my confusion and anger and they infromed me that I was still on a Holmes Place contract and there was nothing they could do about it. Do you think I should write a letter to head office or does it seem too much of a shot in the dark?

vmaxjude

Hi all. I don't know if this is mentioned anywhere else on the site, but you can join LA Fitness by using Tesco Clubcard Deals vouchers. I joined my local branch in Purley, Surrey for a year (full membership) and it cost me less than £100 in CLubcard Deals vouchers. It's saved me nearly £40 a month on my old Fitness First membership. That said, FF was a much better gym. An inducement from LAF was that you get your joining fee back (£35) if you train at least twice a week for the first 8 weeks of your membership. I did this and I am still waiting for my cheque. You are paid if the gym computer shows you as swiped in the requisite number of times. However, if you pay using Cluncard vouchers this confuses the computer and it takes some weeks to recognise you as a member. I have contacted head office a number of times without success, and the branch manager has not responded to any of my phone calls or e-mails...