Last week I cancelled my gym membership after two and half years. Initially I thought I’d freeze it for a couple of months and sort out my busy schedule but after realising I had been slacking in attendance for the past six months (five visits on average per month instead of the usual three a week), I thought paying £66 was horrendous (that’s approximately $108 at the current exchange rate).
But another issue emerged that made me question how some gyms are corporate giants in making money rather than promoting health and fitness. It turns out the gym I go to is charging different fees to everyone.
My friend asked about joining the same gym as me a few weeks ago, because her sister and mother already attend and they bluntly told her the fee was £75 a month. Her sister pays £40. And that isn’t off-peak (some gyms offer day-time only fees). When she questioned why the huge difference, they replied, “It’s customer loyalty”. Her sister started off paying £40 – there was no loyalty to begin with! I’d been loyal for a long time. The most I was offered was one month free if I signed up for 12 months, which I’d get at the end of the year!
The gym is also part of a massive chain so my friend wanted to know if she could use her expensive membership at a branch near where she works but no. That’s not allowed any more even though the gym she wanted to join is listed as one of the luxury gyms in this group. I’ve been told there are branches in the city of London which charge less than this one in the suburbs of North West London!
Let’s face it, most gyms never advertise their rates, they ask you to ‘enquire within’ but a lot of people don’t realise this is a clue to negogiate. They’ll try to fool you with saying they’ll waiver the joining fee if you sign on the dotted line but in truth, they probably don’t charge one to begin with.
I’ve signed up for an induction at a new gym a short walking distance from my house. Apparently the joining free is £149 (excuse me?!) but seeing as my mum already goes there, they’ll let that one slide by. How lucky am I. The regular fee is £44 per month although mum pays £38 as she is an old member having joined last year. I told them I can’t commit to the gym for 12 months and would rather trial it for six months. I was told this could be done but I’d have to pay up six months in advance. However, I could pay per month if I agreed to 12 months.
I’m starting to feel trapped again. No flexibility. Gyms are like mobile phone networks – once you’re in a contract, there is no way out without paying a high price.
Instead I’m considering hiring a personal trainer for a few weeks to show me the ropes before I go it alone. I won’t feel obliged to pay him/her for a 12 month fixed-term contract and I’ll be sure I’ll reach my goals for the kind of fitness I want to achieve, which sadly I’ve not seen any evidence of after two and half years of sweating and slogging my guts out at the gym.
Buy a Wii and the Wii Fit. Plenty of variation, it allows you to set goals for yourself and you don’t have to leave the house. Plus you can buy other games too so that when you’re not exercising you can sit on your arse gaming and eating junk food. Everybody wins!
But seriously, teenage daughter and I both like Wii Fit, and I reckon when you compare it to gym fees or the cost of a personal trainer it pays for itself pretty quickly!
Wii is a great idea. I’ve always wanted the console. I’ve also been told about xbox Kinect. I know there are other forms of exercises like dancing too. I’ll definitely look into this. Thanks!
Gym membership can be classed as a luxury these days with the extorianate fees some facilities charge. It is very true that you can haggle and all of a suddden you are saving a small fortune. My gym membership was £49 per month when I first enquired, however after a couple of visits, and haggling over price, paying for a few months upfront and advising I may get my brother to join, I was given a knocked down price of £25 per month. However 6 months in, a serious lack of motivation has forced me to cancel. Luckily it was a rolling contract.