Oh Gym…
July 8, 2011 9 Comments
So the gym that I joined in January shut it doors last week. Which really bummed me out. I haven’t been too keen on finding a new one because I’ve been just running to help build up endurance for the Kansas City Half Marathon. But I really have missed my spinning classes. I just love spinning and not doing it makes me feel bad.
I had bought my membership as a year long contract and was saving $20/month for it. I’ll get prorated for the amount that I paid from after the date the gym closed. It should be about $100 that I’ll get back when all is said and done.
The next closest gym to me is half way between my apartment and work, about 2 miles away (not nearly as convenient as my two block away gym). The downside is that the new gym is more money a month. Even if I pay upfront for a year, which I can afford to do with the money I’ve been saving in my yearly savings account and from the prorated return from the old gym, I’ll still be looking at paying $22/month instead of the $16/month deal I was able to get at the old gym. I could theoretically opt to get a two year contract to get myself down to $17/month – but I’m not sure I want to commit myself to a gym for that long term, but then again I would have an all club access pass which would allow me to go to any of that branch of gyms so if I move I will still have a gym to go to.
Or I can just suck it up and forget the gym membership. I only go for 2-3 classes a week, so maybe I should just get my own cycling bike for the same price as a membership and do it all from home…
Do you think they would be willing to negotiate with you? Explain that your gym just closed and what the deal was that you had there. Maybe they’d give you a deal just to get you as a new member? Maybe you could try this even for a small period of time- like the rest of your contract at the other place, etc? You never know, it might work.
I love spinning too, and I just don’t think I could re-create that at home. I say go for the membership! Costco has a two year 24 Hour Fitness membership for $300, which works out to a pretty good deal. And you can use any of their facilities.
Oh wow! $300 for two years is a great price! I will definitely check in to that!
I think if the spinning classes are motivating you to exercise more than you would otherwise (which is what It sounds like!) then you should opt for the membership. Even $22/month seems like a good bargain if you are going 2 or 3 times a week. That works out to a very low cost-per-visit, and I think that’s great! Just my two cents.
Enjoy whatever you decide to do, and good for you!
That really sucks – I’d be pretty angry if my gym closed, because I wouldnt have anywhere to go during the winter – it’s the little things like that that can really kill your motivation. Though 2 miles isnt bad, it’s not 2 blocks (most likely .2 miles).
That costco deal sounds good if there are 24 hr finesses in your area, and in KC i’d assume there are.
Any surprise that the most economical gym had to shutter its doors?
To contrast a little, the least expensive gym membership in my area (which is about 5 miles away) is $35/month, after paying a $150 membership fee. The only positive is that its month to month. If I’m willing to travel 9 miles (~20 minutes by car), I can get into a gym for $25/month on a two year contract.
For now I am taking advantage of the summer months and running/cycling outdoors. Running shoes, even really nice ones, average out to about $15 a month. The old bike averages to even less. I did splurge on a marathon registration fee (Portland) at $125 and am getting better exercise now than I have in any gym. Perhaps the motivation is a bigger factor?
Still, when the colder months come around, its easier to justify the investment in my health. I don’t have any problem rationalizing healthy food and exercise related expenses.
Hold.the.Bus
you are running the kansas marathon? That’s amazing!!
PS I love spinning too, I think it makes my butt look good.
Awesome job on the half marathon! I hope to get to that goal someday myself…maybe in the late fall or early spring!
Just a note to say I miss your posts! I hope you’re surviving Calculus and enjoying your summer a bit. I look forward to hearing more from you when/if you’re feeling up to it!