A few weeks back, I did a post about making your own home gym for less than $50. While this definitely has some benefits, for a lot of people, getting a gym membership is where it’s at. For me personally, a gym membership is a fun way to spend my winter months so I don’t feel completely cooped up in my apartment and get to use some equipment I just can’t afford on my own.
Getting a gym membership sounds easy enough, but as someone who has belonged to several over the years, I can tell you there is so much more than just getting one with the best rate. If you are looking into getting in a gym, here are some tips on what to look for in a gym membership to get the most for your money and to meet your fitness goals.
Distance from your home- This one is a pretty big deal. I once had a membership to a gym that was not close enough to my home that it made it almost too easy to skip out on it because I didn’t want to drive that way. Ideally, the gym you choose should be in the path you drive every day.
Read the fine print- This is probably the most important piece of advice I can give you. Gyms are notorious for inserting extra fees that kind of glaze over when you are signing up and then being huge sticklers about not giving refunds because ‘it was in the contract you signed’. Look for fees like ‘maintenance fee’, ‘renewal fee’, ‘card fee’, and of course early termination fees. Make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions you are signing up for.
Do a tour- Most gyms offer a free tour when you are a potential member. Some even give you a free trial week or a couple of trial passes. Make sure to take advantage of these if you can so you can get a feel for how the gym is on your own time.
Make sure the hours work for you- Gyms have different hours. Some are open late, some are open 24 hours a day and some close early. Make sure that the hours of your chosen gym will work for you before you take the leap into membership.
Good social media reviews- Before joining any gym, I now look at what people are saying on their Facebook page and even Yelp. You can find out about potential problems with billing or cleanliness before you sign up this way.
Cleanliness- Speaking of cleanliness, this one is also very important to pay attention to. Does the place look clean? How often is someone cleaning the equipment? Is cleaning solution readily available for members to use and do you see people using it?
Price that fits your budget- There is a reason why I put this last on the list. I have learned over the years that pricer doesn't necessarily mean better and cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean bad. If after all the other expectations are met, if the price fits your budget, you may have just found the perfect gym. You can lower the price by negotiating at sign up. Also, pay attention to sites like Groupon for deals on memberships as well.
Written By Christine Tolhurst from Saved By Grace Blog
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