David Lloyd - any scope for negotiation on fees? 11 July 2021 at 4:09PM in Sports & fitness MoneySaving 9 replies 7.8K views

MoJoeGo

So... family resolution to get into shape, less pub time etc. Although it's not very MSE, the wife and I, plus teenage daughter, are joining the local David Lloyd, as it's huge and has got loads of things we like.

At the moment, we are at

- £242/month
- 12 month platinum membership
- one guest pass per month.
- 4 personal trainer sessions each

I'm intending to get the joining fee removed as that's just a ridiculous licence to print money, but is there any other scope for a direct reduction in fees, or alternately more benefits ,a couple more guest passes per month would be useful...

If it's totally fixed then so be it... just be good to know before I talk to their sales person again.

thanks!
MJG

Grumpy_chap

MoJoeGo said:

the wife and I, plus teenage daughter

- £242/month
- 12 month platinum membership
- one guest pass per month.
- 4 personal trainer sessions each

David Lloyd is normally one of the most expensive gyms. 

My wife and I are members at the Nuffield Health because it is much cheaper than David Lloyd.  However, we pay:

• £122 for joint membership (2 adults)
• £48 per hour for PT sessions.  (£480 for a pack of 10 - there is sometimes an offer giving 12 for the price of 10)

If I understood your package correctly, you have three adults and 12 PT sessions each month for £242 total.
Pro-rata from £122 for 2, the monthly would be £183, add the 12 PT sessions (assuming the offer applied) £480 and that comes to £663.
You are not even paying the Nuffield Health price for the PT sessions in your all-in monthly fee.

Maybe I misunderstood, but as presented, the price looks to be an absolute bargain.  Think I'll get down to DL and see what deals they have.

MoJoeGo

...actually it's 4 PT sessions each in total, not per month, which probably takes the gloss off a bit! Just seen that my employer apparently has a corporate rate, but doesn't specify costs other than no joining fees. That's a start at least...

We have looked at a few gyms (well my wife and daughter have...) but this is the favourite so it's now just a case of getting it for the best price possible. 

Grumpy_chap

OK, so the monthly membership is £242 and that compares to the equivalent (for three) of £183 at my NH.

David Lloyd is always one of the more expensive clubs, but they do have fantastic facilities to match.

The 4 PT sessions is an introductory offer, so effectively giving you that in exchange for the joining fee.  Of course, they are hoping to reel-you-in with that experience to then take PT as a regular on-going thing.

If you like the DL club, then try to get what ever discount you can through the corporate scheme.  

In my experience, gyms are not conducive to varying the basic monthly fee as they don't want to create potential disharmony amongst members.  You could save a bit by dropping down from Platinum to Plus membership - still covers peak hours but no towel and no discount in the bar - how long will you spend in the bar?

MoJoeGo

To me, the bar is an integral part of the overall gym experience. 

Yes, I said that with a straight face... 

MoJoeGo

Well for what it's worth, I have since discovered that I can get a corporate rate discount through my employer. It's not a huge amount less than before but I did get the joining fee back and every little helps. 

Also the outdoor pool is a bonus in this weather!

Ibrahim5

I always tell gyms that I don't pay joining fees and they always just say OK.

G60dave

MoJoeGo said:

So... family resolution to get into shape, less pub time etc. Although it's not very MSE, the wife and I, plus teenage daughter, are joining the local David Lloyd, as it's huge and has got loads of things we like.

At the moment, we are at

- £242/month
- 12 month platinum membership
- one guest pass per month.
- 4 personal trainer sessions each

I'm intending to get the joining fee removed as that's just a ridiculous licence to print money, but is there any other scope for a direct reduction in fees, or alternately more benefits ,a couple more guest passes per month would be useful...

If it's totally fixed then so be it... just be good to know before I talk to their sales person again.

thanks!
MJG

May I ask how you got on? And what price did you settle on if you went ahead?

thanks

ecraig

Just FYI. It's 120 each adult for platinum where live plus 29 for a child under 16.

So that worked out to be 106.50 per adult before op took the Corp discount into it.

Probably 20% reduction for corporate.

tightauldgit

There's ALWAYS scope for negotiation on ANY fees although the negotiation may be very short if the other party says 'that's the price, take it or leave it'