Do you belong to a gym? How much do you pay?

[snafu]

disneysteve, did you and DW join the gym affiliated with your employer? Wondered if you both enjoyed the facilities, felt you used sufficient equipment and were able to free up enough time to make it value for money.

As a result of surgery, I'm in the modified version of the Heart Healthy program offered at the nearby, full service gym DH uses. I was surprised the government pays for the program if I complete the combo of classes and exercise routine 3 x weekly.

[Sallyr70]

No for me. I've been working out at home for years and years and love it. All it takes is a couple dumbbells and access to You Tube, where there are thousands of fitness routines for free. All on my own schedule in the comfort of my home. I wear what I want and don't have to wait for someone else to get off the machine I need. I am not limited to the types of classes that the gym offers.

Over the years, I have acquired more equipment: treadmill, many dumbbells including an adjustable set 5-50 lbs, mini trampoline, exercise bands, yoga blocks. If I have to get dressed up and drive to a gym I would hardly ever work out. I'm probably different than most people because I'm an introvert. I know many get motivated by being around other people. Of course, DVDs still exist, and more instructors are offering monthly subscription services.

[disneysteve]

disneysteve, did you and DW join the gym affiliated with your employer? Wondered if you both enjoyed the facilities, felt you used sufficient equipment and were able to free up enough time to make it value for money.

Yes, we joined the gym run by the hospital I work for. We've both been going pretty regularly, generally at least 2 times a week. We definitely like the facility. I really like that it is totally comfortable there and the clientele ranges from teens to the very elderly with a lot of people there as part of a physical therapy program. So you've got the muscular guys and gals and right next to them the guy with the cane working his recently replaced knee and everything in between.

[moneybags]

If you are a blue cross blue shield member, you should be elligble for "healthy ways prime". It's a pretty cool program that goes under the radar pretty frequently.

By getting the membership, you are granted access to thousands of GYMs. I believe it is national wide, but I'm not sure (I'm in Michigan). The cost is only $25 a month per person. And It gives me an automatic membership to just about every Gym around us here in Detroit except for Lifetime fitness. Around here, Healthyways Prime membership allows me to use Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Fitness 19, Body Rocks, and a few others that I don't bother to find out, as there are way too many gyms around.

It is a cool program, and with the massive variety it offers, it can be a really solid program to consider.

just google, "Healthyways Prime". Worth checking into for a cheaper multi-Gym membership to allow maximum flexibility on your choices.

Thank you for this post. I just reduced my gym membership from $45 to $25, and I'll have gym access when I travel this winter. I didn't know BCBS had this benefit. Note to self: make sure you read all benefit plans closer!

[msomnipotent]

If you are a blue cross blue shield member, you should be elligble for "healthy ways prime". It's a pretty cool program that goes under the radar pretty frequently.

By getting the membership, you are granted access to thousands of GYMs. I believe it is national wide, but I'm not sure (I'm in Michigan). The cost is only $25 a month per person. And It gives me an automatic membership to just about every Gym around us here in Detroit except for Lifetime fitness. Around here, Healthyways Prime membership allows me to use Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Fitness 19, Body Rocks, and a few others that I don't bother to find out, as there are way too many gyms around.

It is a cool program, and with the massive variety it offers, it can be a really solid program to consider.

just google, "Healthyways Prime". Worth checking into for a cheaper multi-Gym membership to allow maximum flexibility on your choices.

Darn it! Our BC has Blue365 instead. I only get discounts on overpriced Fitbits and heart rate monitors. I was thinking of getting another YMCA membership for my daughter and husband, but ours is so crowded all the time.

[JBinKC]

Currently just dumbbells, a mountain bicycle and productive exercise since my retirement. Before then I also had a home gym I paid $50 for that I do severely miss but I don't have the space for it since I moved.

[Tabs]

To me, $40 per person per month is on the high side. Well, it depends on how nice the amenities are, such as massage chairs, tanning booths, complimentary drinks, and perhaps even those water massage beds. If they have all that, perhaps it's worth the asking price.

If you don't care for all that, and just want the basics, then I say it would be worth shopping around for lower prices.

Mine is a little under $30 a month, but I needed that for national access to all the gyms within the franchise, and some facilities are actually nice enough to justify the price.

Conversely, one can easily create a home gym routine with just a set of adjustable dumbbells and body weight. Cheapest route available with no traffic to fight going back and forth, no waiting for the stations to be available, no ridiculous levels of germs to worry about, and is the shortest route to your very own shower afterwards.

On the flipside, some really enjoy the social space and professional guidance that gyms can provide. Being "trapped" at the gym makes one accountable if they are having trouble staying motivated.

I find that working out is really a lifestyle choice more than anything else, so the real question is what works best for you.