Comments on: Do You Really Need a Gym Membership?

By: wes

wes — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:01:08 +0000

there have been many occasions where the workouts at home didn’t have nearly the same intensity as being in the gym

granted, there are many downsides to being in a gym, but the atmosphere cannot be replicated in a person’s home…because home is the same place you eat, sleep, etc…to me, it’s a place for relaxation…it’s just different for everyone

but yes, if money is of concern, gym memberships are frivolous, but so are cell phones, tv’s, computers, etc if you wanna get down to it…but i don’t see my world without most of these things

By: Daniel Wheelwright

Daniel Wheelwright — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:50:24 +0000

Guys get yourself a Trainer good ones will make it worth the money!

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By: Bob H.

Bob H. — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:56:20 +0000

I was paying $79 a month for NY Sports Club, but started working out from home instead. I’ve been getting workouts on http://www.dailyfitnesstrainer.com it’s pretty great and can’t complain about saving the money.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:54:51 +0000

There can be more things to consider here so one does not inadvertently make an ‘apples to oranges’ comparison. Needs and their costs mostly depend upon your goals and your willingness or dedication to work at it.

You can take the $560 and take the introductory personal trainer course for yourself.

Need to include the cost of track-suits and other work-out wear.

Training shoes wear out. Decent running shoes can cost about as much on an annual basis as the gym membership does. ie. >4 pairs of $100+/pair shoes per year. Working out at home or going jogging is not ‘free’. The gym membership is money paid in addition to the shoes.

Should make an allocation for the extra laundry/towels one goes through as a result of working up a sweat.

Strictly speaking, the extra sweating results in a need to take more showers, and use more shampoo etc. These costs appear on your other utility bills. Your clothes will need extra tailoring to fit nicely.

If your fitness goals are limited to walking/jogging, then your equipment needs are minimal and you do not really need a gym membership.

If you want to live life large, then you should be at a full-service gym.

When you are serious about your athletic training, then you probably need club-quality machinery. ie. if you lift weights that weigh more than you do, then you need the sort of equipment that does not collapse.

This sort of equipment takes up a lot of space and costs considerably more than most of the lame stuff available on the home market. Even the most basic of equipment needs storage space (ie. car-pulling harness, dip-belt, sand-bags, chin-up bar, etc. etc.)

There are some other positive benefits to being in shape that are hard to put a dollar value on. It is difficult to put a value on good health.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:53:30 +0000

I agree 100% with everything you said.

By: Dee

Dee — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 07:32:20 +0000

I gave up my gym membership when they started pressuring me to buy $560 personal trainer sessions. Since then, I’ve discovered a great community of people who exercise by walking, running, biking, and hiking in the neighborhood around my house. A little research on the internet, advice from my more athletic friends, and fitness podcasts took the place of personal trainers. Also, I save 45 minutes (one way) of my time and gas by not driving to the gym.

I figured out that I save an average of $362 a month (personal trainer, gas, gym membership). That doesn’t include wear and tear on my car.