Reducing gym membership costs?

DD265

I see all the time for things like phone contracts or Sky membership that people are advised to call up and ask to reduce/cancel their tarriff and end up getting a better deal. I've successfully done it myself with a credit card.

Has anybody had any experience of trying to do this with a gym chain?

I have looked at alternative gyms and I want to stay where I am (DW Sports Fitness) so I will continue paying the £38 a month regardless. It's just that I constantly see offers for new members and think I've almost been with you two years, where are my offers? Maybe I just shouldn't complain as they haven't put the price up yet?!

jenniewb

One thing I know from having been a member at quite a few different gyms over the years; none I've been with have had any discounts or offers for old members, only new members. TBH most offers are a month off an annual membership, no joining free, free locker rental and free PT classes for a week. Nothing which really drastically affects the price of the membership long term.


I would move gyms regularly to take up offers, freebies and the only time I didn't was when I found a gym I liked (though had to leave when the price hiked massively). I have not found another way around getting offers and discounts you'd otherwise miss.


I think you need to weigh up with yourself if the price not going up is a good enough reason for remaining with DW or if it's worth moving to a different gym for their freebies and maybe trying DW again once they no doubt start an email campaign to get you back again but don't hold your breath on any life changing offers- in all the gyms I've been a member of, none offered anything worth raising an eyebrow at once I'd left. I think a month free if I signed up for more than 3 months was as good as it got (and the price for the 3 month membership was 30% more per month than if I signed for the year so really it made little difference unless I was after being fit on a part time basis and only wanted to exercise a few months a year).

cazs

I was paying up front for a year with F.F. most recently they wanted to up my renewal by c£100 which just was not justifiable. I had a moan and they offered to sign me up with a good deal available to new members. Funnily enough in the New Year they sent me an email, not realizing I had signed up with a new membership No. The offer was 50% off monthly fees.

So it's worth looking about..