Joining gym/spa/country club ?

MoneyMon555

I would feel highly embarrassed mentioning this in 'the real world' but feel I might be ok asking this on here where we are all money savers to differing degrees, so here goes...

Has anybody calculated if you break even or possibly go beyond that if you pay for a gym or country club membership where you can not only exercise, but shower, sit around and read papers, keep warm and in doing so not burn gas and electric at home during that time? The exercise for body and positive health for the mind is a given in this equation, but almost impossible to put a £ value on of course.

If for example a retired couple were normally at home during the winter using their heating, hot water etc I dare say a value could be calculated for that, and then a comparison made - has anyone ever done that? What were your findings?

This is kind of a fun thought experiment , so please don't get too heavy on the technicalities (unless you want to of course, and then by all means , feel free)

themoomins

I haven't worked out the costs but have mulled this question over myself.  Interested to see if anyone does this.  I did have as many showers as possible at the health club I used to be a member of, mainly because they were better showers that I have at home!

kimwp

Good question. I think realistically, while it could save money on water heating and water (if you have a meter) for showering and the cost of the newspaper, if you are only staying a couple of hours then it's probably not going to save much on gas and electricity, particularly as you'll most likely be at the club during the warmer parts of the day. If you are at the club for longer, then the cost of food and drinks would probably outweigh any gas and electricity savings quite quickly I think. 

So unless you are basically planning on moving in to the club with sandwiches and flasks of tea to sustain you through the day  (or walking back home for meals and drinks in a cold house) and also are at a fairly cheap club, then I think it would be impossible to break even in my opinion and possibly not even then.

Perhaps the solution is thick coat and boots and keep walking the whole day - exercise and warmth in one!

MoneyMon555

kimwp said:

Good question. I think realistically, while it could save money on water heating and water (if you have a meter) for showering and the cost of the newspaper, if you are only staying a couple of hours then it's probably not going to save much on gas and electricity, particularly as you'll most likely be at the club during the warmer parts of the day. If you are at the club for longer, then the cost of food and drinks would probably outweigh any gas and electricity savings quite quickly I think. 

So unless you are basically planning on moving in to the club with sandwiches and flasks of tea to sustain you through the day  (or walking back home for meals and drinks in a cold house) and also are at a fairly cheap club, then I think it would be impossible to break even in my opinion and possibly not even then.

Perhaps the solution is thick coat and boots and keep walking the whole day - exercise and warmth in one!

I see the price of snacks, meals and tea/coffee at one near me would definitely outweigh savings if you were there long enough to need them . But possibly a well planned large breakfast then a longer duration using the pool, sauna and gym followed by lengthy lounge around reading newspapers and book might make a tiny dent in home heating and showering bills.

Then on alternate days other outdoor pursuits where you can take sandwiches and flask might be an option.

SandyShores

Same here, I went to one with a sauna, lovely showers and hairdryers (and one even provided fluffy towels) - so I used to pop in on my way home from other sports activities.  And if you make use of all the classes such as pilates and yoga, which can be about £12 a class, its definitely worth it.  I think you'd have to do a lot of sitting around and showering to make the membership pay for itself on its own, but would be an interesting exercise to carry out and see how much you could save.

MoneyMon555

SandyShores said:

Same here, I went to one with a sauna, lovely showers and hairdryers (and one even provided fluffy towels) - so I used to pop in on my way home from other sports activities.  And if you make use of all the classes such as pilates and yoga, which can be about £12 a class, its definitely worth it.  I think you'd have to do a lot of sitting around and showering to make the membership pay for itself on its own, but would be an interesting exercise to carry out and see how much you could save.

I feel this is definitely more of an aspirational goal for those who've retired I think
But I am up for the challenge. 
I could quantify the £ saved on showers and heating quite easily I think, but would need different rates for different months, but could just take previous meter readings and then extrapolate using my latest fixed tariff. So, using a day from regular use of heating/hot water/shower/cooker, lighting etc to a day with none of those used during gym/club day.

I will report back 

Frith

I've reached this great age without having a clue what a country club is! 

Floss

SandyShores said:

... And if you make use of all the classes such as pilates and yoga, which can be about £12 a class, its definitely worth it...

But it is only a saving if you pay for yoga or pilates classes anyway, and offset that cost against the cost of a membership, along with savings from using the clubs heating, hot water & newspapers etc.

SootySweep1

Hi
Not quite the same but my Grandmother in years gone by would go to Spain for six weeks during the winter months & part of her reason for going was she saved a fortune on her gas & electric bills.

Didn't fully pay for the holiday but a decent contribution.

Jen

LadyHarriet

SootySweep1 said:

Hi
Not quite the same but my Grandmother in years gone by would go to Spain for six weeks during the winter months & part of her reason for going was she saved a fortune on her gas & electric bills.

Didn't fully pay for the holiday but a decent contribution.

Jen

My husband's late uncle and aunt used to do this every year - they loved Puerto Pollensa. 

ellenvan

On a similar theme - a pint or two in the pub - free heating thown in
Library - some have free internet access - also free heating.
Anybody any other suggestions?