Exploring Your Options
Be realistic. Optimism about their exercise habits often leads people to pay more than they normally would on gym memberships. Because of this, it is important that you are realistic about how often you intend to go to the gym. You should also think about what things might prevent you from going. For example, if you know that you probably will not go the gym regularly, consider paying as you go instead of committing to a yearly or monthly membership. Consider things like when you like to exercise and how far the gym is from your home and work.
Determine how you want to exercise. If you're interested in classes such as yoga, step, cardio, boot camp, or aquafit, ask about the price before you join. Many facilities allow you to try the first class for free. If you have a specific exercise style or regimen that you are looking to do, find a gym that caters to that, instead of paying a higher price for a large gym full of features you won't use. For example, if you really want to lift weights, look for a gym that is dedicated to strength training.
Shop around. Look around online and compare the prices of different gym memberships. This will help you find the most affordable membership. While you are looking around at gyms online, check websites like Groupon, Living Social, and Gilt City for deals on memberships.
Try free trials. Call your local gyms and ask for a non-commitment trial. Most gyms will give you a one or two-week free pass to use their facilities. Visit the gyms during the times that you would normally be working out to see what the crowds are like and if you like the facilities. It is better that you try out multiple gyms to find the one that you like instead of paying and cancelling multiple memberships.
Taking Advantage of Discounts
Look for promotions. During the year, gyms often offer different promotions intended to bring in customers. The most common promotions occur in January, when people are looking to start their resolutions, and late spring, when folks want to lose some of their winter weight. For example, gyms sometimes offer unique promotions, like getting a cash reward for losing a certain amount of weight.
Talk to your insurer. Many health insurance plans in the United States offer discounts for gym memberships. Ask your provider for the details before buying a gym membership, since the deal may be limited to certain facilities. Your insurer may also have a stipulation that you visit a facility a certain number of times each month. This is less common in other countries, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Get a family discount. Many gyms offer a family membership, which is often cheaper than signing up each person individually. Family memberships tend to be better deals the larger your family is. You might even be able to negotiate a group membership with some of your friends. Be sure to talk with the sales staff about group and family memberships. Ask them things like “How many people can we include on a family plan?” and “Does everyone on a family plan have to be your family?”
Use a special discount. Depending on your occupation, there may a special discount available for you. If you are a student, you may be eligible for a discount through your school. Many gyms also offer discounts to members of the military. You might also be eligible for a discount through your work or as part of a group package through your employer. Shop around and see what gyms might offer you a unique discount. You might also ask a sales representative things like “Do you offer a military discount?” or “Do you have a student discount?” If you are a college student, you likely have a membership to your school’s recreation center through your student fees.
Getting the Best Deal
Shop at the end of the month. You can get some additional perks by joining a gym at the end of the month when the sales staff is trying to reach their monthly quotas. If you wait until the end of the month, you might be able to get free class passes, personal training sessions, or a discounted membership. Consider using free trials or working out at home until the end of the month.
Negotiate your membership. When you find a gym that you like, sit down with a member of the sales team and negotiate your membership. Let them know that you have been shopping around that you would like them to meet the fees of their competitors. If they cannot meet the price, ask for things like a free month of membership or if they would be willing to waive the initiation fee. You could also try to negotiate for things like free class passes or personal training sessions. You might say things like “Gold’s membership is $20 a month less than yours. Can you meet that?” or “Since you won’t lower your monthly fee, can I get some free class passes?”
Work out during off-peak hours. When you are negotiating, ask about a discount for using the facilities during off-peak hours. If it works for your schedule, you may be able to use the gym at certain times for a discounted price. You will likely need to bring this up while negotiating since these rates are rarely advertised. For example, you might get a discounted rate for working out early in the morning, late in the evening, or in the middle of the work day. Make sure the off-peak hours fit into your workout schedule. Shifting to a less convenient time can throw you off your fitness plan. It's worth it to pay full price if it means you'll actually visit the gym.
Try to pay as you go. Although paying for a yearly or monthly membership might appear to be a better deal, in the long-run, paying each time you go to the gym may save you money. Most people do not work out enough to make a monthly or annual membership affordable. Unless you have a history of regularly working out, a pay as you go approach may be the most cost effective. It may be best to pay as you go until you have developed a regular workout routine. Establish a regular workout regimen and then look into a membership. Most members do not go to a gym and many people quit their workout regimens after a few weeks. Think of how the seasons fit into your exercise regimen. If you are an active cyclist, you may only need gym membership during the winter. If you want to get in shape for the skiing season, consider buying a membership just for the fall.
See if you qualify for a reduced rate. Some gyms, like the YMCA, offer reduced fees based on things like your income, age, and family size. When you go to sign up, check to see if you are eligible for any type of discount. They will determine your rate using a sliding scale based on things like your household income and size.
Keeping Your Membership Fee Low
Read your contract. Before you join a gym, make sure that you read the fine print on your contract. If you cancel your membership, you do not want to pay a large cancellation fee or be stuck paying for a membership that you never use. If you catch these fees ahead of time, you may be able to negotiate your way out of them.
Look for changes in the fees. Once you become a member, keep any eye on your gym's membership fees. If you see that the price of your membership is discounted, ask if you can receive that discount. Your gym may be willing to give you a lower rate. For example, if you are paying an $80 a month gym membership and see that it is now only $60, ask if you can receive the reduced price. You might say something like, “I see that the rate for my membership went down. Am I eligible for that discount?”
Drop what you do not use. If you find that you signed up for classes or sessions that you are not using, get rid of them. It is better to ditch things that you are not using rather than paying for them. Instead, consider paying for individual sessions or take advantage of free trials. For example, if you are paying to swim in the pool but rarely use it, drop the pool and only pay for it when you use it.
Comments
0 comment