It’s official. I’m one step closer to becoming a real gay: Today I signed up for my first gym membership.
It has been a long time coming. I’ve been living in Northern Virginia for over six months and have wanted a gym membership since day one. But I’m a planner, always one to be methodical and analytical before committing to any large expenses. So naturally, I did my research.
Why Join a Gym?
First, I had to justify to myself whether or not a gym membership is worth the expense. One popular argument that many personal finance gurus make is that you can easily get an effective workout at home for nearly free.
Believe me, I’ve tried to work out from home. For some reason I just can’t force myself to exercise reliably outside of the gym atmosphere. I even have great jogging trails behind my townhouse, but I’m not such a fan of weather, jogging, or being outrun by yuppie housewives. I prefer the arc trainer, staring at the ass of the hottie in front of me, thankyouverymuch.
The other reason for signing up is guilt. When I’m paying for something I feel that I need to get my money’s worth, which is also why I’m not allowed to go to all-you-can-eat buffets anymore.
Finally, the biggest problem with gym memberships is that people are overwhelmingly over-optimistic about how often they’ll go to the gym. I’d like to think I’m prepared for this, because I went about 3 times a week on average in college. Back then, I had way more activities and organizations consuming my free time. These days I just have work and my blog.
What to Look For
The number one factor for me was location. As they say in real estate, “Location, location, location!” I needed a gym close enough not to be a hassle. I wanted a gym convenient to both my home and my work, so I do not have an excuse not to go any particular day of the week.
There are three gym franchises with branches in both my town and the town where I work.
One of them, Gold’s, is a national chain, but is not especially close to either work or my home. Both locations were in strip malls I never frequent. I actually didn’t even tour either branch, but they were the only gym on my list that doesn’t require a 1-year contract.
The next was called Sport&Health. It’s a local chain, with a branch not too far from work or home.
I toured one of the locations. It had very nice touches, such as a granite countertops and a juice bar, but I was kept waiting 45 minutes for my tour. When I did take the tour, my guide was very sales-y, though the facilities were nice. If I remember correctly (it’s been a few months), the basic package was $39 per month with a required one-year iron-clad contract. Personal training can be purchased as an add-on feature, as can a towel service. I believe there is also an additional fee for the ability to use multiple branches.
What I Got
The last gym I toured (and the one where I signed up) is called Fitness First. It’s another local chain.
A few months ago, I toured the branch in my town, and today I toured the branch near my work. Both times the tour-guides were salesmen, but not over-the-top.
However, this gym’s main selling point is that it’s very close to my office, less than a block away, which I hope will mean I’m more likely to use it.
The rates were the best I researched. Again, a one-year contract is required, but the per-month membership costs $33. And of course the obligatory “activation fee,” which is an evil rip-off, but it’s also practically unavoidable. Mine was $69. I’m also allowed to use the facilities at any location, and I’m allowed to cancel my membership (with caveats) if I move more than 15 miles away from a branch. The towel service is complimentary.
What I’m most excited about is the included personal training. During my first month, I receive 4 one-hour private sessions with a trainer, and then two sessions per month after that. While I probably won’t get a super hot gay personal trainer, I’m still excited to have someone to teach me and hold me accountable for my progress.
What do you think? Have you seen similar deals in your area? What criteria do you use when selecting a gym?
Popularity: 16% [?]
Thanks for the shout out. Sounds like you are off to a great start!
the super hot gay personal trainer,
-Sam
I’m a commitment-phobe when it comes to gyms…so I can’t do the one year contract thing. I’ve always used the Y since they do a sliding income scale for people who make less than 60K down here (um, hello, all college graduates?) So that plus lots of branches plus good clean Christian values (hahahaha) equals a win for me.
Hey. It sounds like you’ve done your homework and picked the best place for you. You’ve been frugal (best value for the money) and rational (close location to encourage use). I’m not sure that guilt is a proper motivator, though. If you miss a few sessions, and therefore waste a few bucks, you’ll feel even more guilty, much like dieters do when they hit the fridge at midnight. It’s also nice that you seem to know yourself enough to know that regular outdoorsy fitness activities may not do it for you.
But note that you have expended a lot of time and effort so far without any results, fitness-wise. You’ve also likely used this gym selection process as an excuse for not doing any fitness-related activity. Did you go jogging in the park a few times in the interim? Hmmm. Kinda like the dieter waiting until after the Christmas season to start dieting.
And therein lies the problem most of us have when it comes to fitness. We never seem to be satisfied that we know enough or are prepared enough to start, or that conditions are not right. Preparation is in-fact often just procrastination, no matter how rational it may seem.
You might be thinking by now I’m just being negative about your efforts. After-all you have made your decision and you are ready to go. But that same mindset will follow you into the gym. Next will be “I need to do more (get a personal trainer), buy more (gym clothes, designer watter bottle, supplements), learn more (how to use those weight machines, how to do group exercise)”.
Instead, follow the classic Nike slogan, “Just Do It!”. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use a personal trainer or buy that stylish tight tank top eventually (in case there really is a hot trainer there), but don’t use those as excuses to avoid a full-tilt workout from day-one.
The fact is that most people already know more than enough about how to become and stay fit. What stops many of us is too much information! The news media and advertising (even the fitness industry itself) make it sound so unnecesarily complicated. It really is very simple: Use your muscles to work up a sweat regularly, eat sensibly, and get enough sleep. So, have the self-confidence to jump right in there. Just use that common sense you have to avoid overdoing it right away and start working out.
Learn as you go along. Don’t wait for a paid session. Ask others to give you tips as you work. Or sign up for a group exercise class (No, they are not just for women), they are the best way to a healthy heart and a thinner waistline.
And remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’ll take time to see results. Stay away from the mirrors (unless you already love the way you look) and weigh scales (unless you are satisfied with your weight).
Find out what you enjoy most – other than the sauna – and stick with it. It can take months to develop a healthy habit. So schedule your workouts like you do important regular meetings.
And finally, gyms are social places. Make a few aquaintences. If you can find a workout buddy or two, you’ll enjoy it much more. And if you enjoy it, it’ll become a lifestyle rather than a chore.
Have fun!
Bruce
“It’s gotta be fun, or it’s just exercise.”
Glad to hear you’re taking the plunge. Exercise is very important from a health and life perspective.
School gym! Mandatory fee and the building next to the dormhouse…so I haveta use it! :)