I am breaking down and joining a gym

[pmmahan]

well, I have been trying to run as much as possible (remember my post a little while back, "Ihate gyms" ?), but my unforgiving work schedule makes it hard (leave my house a t 7 am, come home at 7 pm. I don't like running in the dark by myself!) So I am joining a gym nearby my job for a few months until the days get longer again. I just hate feeling like a lazy sod!! PLus, with my wedding in May, I want to have buff arms and a toned back (sleeveless, low back dress).
My question is, how much do you pay for your gym? I think this gym I am going to join in Boston is about $70 a month, which seems like a lot to me. I suppose I am just victim of living in an expensive city. What price fitness, ladies and gentlemen? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[MrsReber]

Wow- $70 a month?! That does seem like alot. I pay $43 a month for my gym, which is a Gold's gym. There is a gym at my job which I could join for $15 a month, but I would need a shower after working out!

[BosunsWife]

I belong to 24 Hour Fitness and I pay $40 a month for a basic gym membership, includes all facilities and I can use it at any 24 Hour Fitness center in the United States.

[cindyluwho]

I found that the YMCA in Somerville is $28 a month, including the Nautilus equipment. I thought this was alot because my sister told me when she lived in the area, she paid $19 a month at Bally's gym, but I guess it's not considered that expensive. The Healthworks I visited in Somerville/Cambridge costs less than $70, I'm sure--I think it's like $50 or so, which is still way too expensive for me but maybe not for you. And the one I visited had lovely lavendar-mauve walls and nice wooden lockers in the locker room. The YMCA I go to is definitely not fancy. I think the Boston YMCA is probably a lot more expensive than the one I go to, but I'll bet you can find someplace that's has decent membership rates! If you have a car, you might try looking in the suburbs.

[pmmahan]

Thanks, Cindy, for the advice. I live in Hingham - there aren't a lot of fitness centers to choose from. I found out why you pay so much in Boston- its the convenience. I joined this gym called FitCorp - they have several gyms in boston (including one opening right next door to my office this spring or summer) and a couple in the suburbs. Its one of those deals where you join one and you can go to them all. So there is one 2 blocks from here and one 15 minutes from where i live, so I can go to one on the weekdays and one on the weekends. I have found that the convenience is a motivator to me. if its right there, I'll do it. No excuses. Stop by on my way to or from work, on my lunch hour.
Besides, I am waiting for the weather to get warmer again and the days to get longer to pull out my bike (i can't wait!!)

Buff arms and back, here I come!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kwormann]

We pay 58 for the 2 of us at Ballys. I dont use it very often, but with the hot summers in Houston, it will be for when it is very hot or very rainy

kim

[cindyluwho]

Hi pmmahan,

Oh, the convenience factor is so important...my gym is only 3 blocks from my apartment, and with these cold winters and no car, I probably would never make it to the gym if it were farther than that!

Hey, do you by any chance know someone named Pamela Visser? She grew up in Hingham and recently moved to California.

[pmmahan]

Cindy - No, ufortunately, I don't know Pamela. I've only lived in Hingham for two years, but I must say, I love it there. My fiance and I are planning to move closer to Boston so we can be closer to our jobs; we wanted to buy a house in Hingham, but, as I am sure you know, housing prices there are prohibitive...

[cindyluwho]

Hi pmmahan--
Oh well, it was worth a try! I certainly agree that it is very expensive around here, though I come from the San Francisco Bay Area so I guess I'm used to it. I'm a graduate student now on a stipend, so I'm always trying to economize!

[KimK]

I just joined my local community college gym, which is only one block from work. $125 per year, which is incredibly cheap. I can use it as much as I want, and they even have a pool. A great bargain!

[MrsReber]

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif I'm jealous. I wish my gym had a pool!

[HARRYET]

i belong to a great gym, 2 aerobics rooms, pool, sauna, massage therapy, tanning, 5 different circuits, spinning, free weights, tons of bikes, treadmills and stairmaster, and on and on and on! I only pay $29 a month. Unfortunately it's not as convienent as i'd like it to be, but if i want convience i'd have to pay $70 a month, for a lot less equipment, big difference. I'll drive http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Ann

[This message has been edited by HARRYET (edited 02-09-2001).]