How to Save Money on a Gym Membership

(474 Words)
With the price you may pay for your gym membership, you may wonder if it comes with free laundry service. Gym memberships can be pricey, but there are a variety of ways to save to make the cost downright reasonable. Try the following tactics.
Look for specials
A local gym used to have a large sign in its lobby. It said X amount of days until the special ends. On the X they would put a piece of paper that said 3, 2 or 1. They would literally then go from 3 to 1 and then start over again. Almost every gym will tell you that they have a special or sale that is about to expire. With that in mind, realize that some gyms really do have better deals at certain times. Sometimes it will be during a holiday or a time of year such as the new year. You can keep checking for better deals or look at advertisements. Some gyms will even put coupons in newspapers.
Negotiate
Getting a gym membership is a little like getting a car. The people who sell them are salespeople, and they will often tell you that they are giving you a deal just because it is you, even if you do not know them. The good thing about this is that you can often negotiate. You might be able to get the monthly fees down, get some free months, lower the enrollment fee or take away some fees. They do not get anything if you do not sign up, and are often willing to go a little lower. Do not be afraid to walk away. You can always come back.
Price compare the different gyms
Gyms range greatly in price. Some are literally three times the price of others. Look at all of the gyms in your area.
These gyms may also range in features of course. You want to really think about what you will use. You may pay a high premium for the gym with the indoor swimming pool and water aerobics but then only use it once a year. A fancy gym with a lot of amenities is only useful if you will use them. Also, some gyms will have different plans based on the amenities that you use and you may be able to get something cheaper.
A gym membership can be extremely helpful is letting you achieve your fitness goals. Make sure that you read the contract thoroughly because you will not save if they sneak fees in there. Also make sure you understand how the costs can change over time. Some start with a low introductory rate but then raise it. You do not want to join a gym that will let you save now only to be very costly in six months. Otherwise utilize the above money-saving techniques.