Earlier this summer I caved and got a gym membership. I had hoped to be able to just use my home gym, but when I realized I wouldn’t be running for awhile I thought it would be a a good idea to have some other ways to work out other than just my spin bike.
Before moving into our house in the suburbs 2.5 years ago, I had a gym membership in the city in that I used at least 3 times a week. I belonged to that gym for 8 years (at different locations based on where I was living). I loved taking Body Pump and other classes, and it was nice to have the option to use the elliptical or treadmill as needed.
When we got a new car last March, I realized that I could join a gym again if I wanted. I started looking around but nothing close to my house seemed appealing. I finally decided on an inexpensive gym that is less than a block from where I work. After using this gym for about 6 weeks, I wanted to share some of the pros and cons of once again having a gym membership.
Pros
Access to a pool:
One of the reasons I picked this particular gym was that I wanted to be able to swim and do some pool running. It wasn’t until after I joined that I realized the pool was not very deep.
Other cardio options:
I have mostly been using the elliptical (there are 2 basic kinds, but I don’t really know the difference) and I just used the Lateral X elliptical once.
Treadmill:
I’ve been using the treadmill for my return to running. It’s easier to do run/walk intervals on there plus I’m less tempted to overdo it. Also, I don’t have to worry about hills. It will also be nice this winter to have access to a treadmill if the weather is bad.
Convenience:
The gym is about a 15 minute drive from home without traffic. I go there around 5:30 and finish workout out by 7am. This means I am in my office by 7:30. It saves commute time because I don’t have to worry about traffic.
Cons
No towels:
Maybe I was spoiled at my last gym, but I couldn’t believe that this gym doesn’t offer towels! I am so worried I am going to forget to pack one for my shower. Then my friend (who also goes to this gym) pointed out that she went to another gym that did offer towels, but they were gross. So I guess I won’t complain too much.
Packing and unpacking:
The downside to the gym being close to work is that it’s totally inconvenient to come back home if I forget something. I’m worried something will be wrong with my outfit or I will forget shoes or something like that. So far the only thing I have forgotten is a razor.
Laundry:
I feel like going to the gym creates so much extra laundry because the towels I use sit in my car all day and need to be washed (along with my sweaty clothes) as soon as I get home from work
Locker rooms:
I forgot how much I dislike gym locker rooms. This gym is never too crowded and the locker room scene could be much worse. But still. i would much rather get ready in my own bathroom.
Pool issues:
So as I said, one of the reasons I joined this gym was for the pool. There are only 3 lanes, and it’s not deep. I honestly don’t think I will use it very often but I guess it’s good to have it as an option.
Parking:
This really shouldn’t be a complaint, but it’s just the nature of the area where I work and go to the gym: I have a garage for gym parking that is closer to my office than my actual work parking garage. I park in the gym garage (which feels safer at that time of morning- it’s right near the entrance to the gym) and they validate a parking pass, but then I need to move my car to the other garage and walk back past the gym to get to work. I guess it’s a bit of an extra workout, right?
So I guess it seems there are more cons than pros of this gym membership, huh? Well, the price is good (like 1/4 of what I was paying at my last gym) so I plan to hold on to it for awhile. As long as I use it at least 1-2 times per week then I will feel like it’s worth it. I know I will appreciate having a gym once we start getting winter weather again.
[Tweet “What are the pros and cons to having a gym memership? via @milebymilerun”]
Do you have a gym membership? Why or why not?
I’m linking up with Annmarie, Nicole, and Jen for Wild Workout Wednesday!
The locker room looks like an LA Fitness??? 🙂
Hmmm I don’t think I ever went to a gym that offered towels. I’m sure it’s nice because it would cut back on laundry butttt…. I like the idea of using my own towel.
Good eye, it is an LA Fitness. Now that Ive been using my own towel its kind of nice. Just one more thing to pack…
I would definitely look at it like you said in the last paragraph – it’s cheap enough and if you go a few times a week, it earns its value. Sometimes convenience wins out over thrills for me too!
Exactly! It seems like a good enough fit for now.
I have had a gym membership for over 5 years at the same gym. It’s really affordable ($16 a month) so I’ll always keep it, lol
I like it mainly for the classes (boot camp, body works, spinning). I think that after my training is over I will try using the machines at the gym a little more often for strength training as well.
I wish I still had the same class from my old gym. I haven’t tried any at this gym but the times aren’t really convenient.
I do have a gym membership mostly bc of the pool availabliity all winter. I also will take spin classes during the winter as well. Do you take any classes at your gym?
I haven’t tried any yet. They have spin 2 mornings a week but since i have my own spin bike I haven’t felt like trying that. The only other ones that I could get to are late in the evening and Im always so tired after work!
Is that LA Fitness? If it is, check to see if you get a health benefit from your insurance. I used to belong there for many years. If you went 120 times in a year, (about 3 times a week), you received $150. You will be glad you have access in bad weather. Good luck!
Yes, its an LA Fitness- I will have to look into that! Thanks!
I miss having a place to go that was dedicated to doing work. I don’t have that right now, and so guess what, I barely ever do the things I know that I need to!
It is nice to have a place to go to stay focused on workouts. I still do my strength training at home so I don’t have to deal with sharing equipment!
I haven’t belonged to a gym in years! I think it would be great to have access to a decent treadmill, but other than that, I don’t see the need anymore. I do CF twice weekly and yoga at the studio. If I need access to a pool, I can use the park district one. Now that I read this, it would be nice to have a one stop shop!
It sounds like you have pretty much everything you need, even if its not in one place!
I love my membership because I can go before school when it’s too early or safe for me to run outside and get a workout in! Mine is a planet fitness so no pool, but I hear you with the laundry! Its so real–but I’m pretty used to it by now.
Yea, Im getting used to the laundry. And I guess its good because it forces me to do laundry during the week so I don’t have as much to do over the weekend!
I’m jealous your gym as a pool! But I totally agree with you about the packing/unpacking and the locker room. I’m still happy to be at my gym, though.
Hope you have a great Wednesday!
Its nice that there is a pool I just wish it was bigger and deeper!
I really do not love the local Y but it is so stinkin convenient that I can’t justify going anywhere else unfortunately. My teenage daughter uses the treadmills and pool to aqua jog, so it is worth it. I just hate how germy it feels! I know the equipment is never wiped down well! I miss some of the special equipment that I used to have in my old gym.
I feel like my gym is germy too! I always make sure to clean the equipment off before I get on, but still.
I do have a gym membership – compliments of my employer. It was interesting because they gave everyone in my small company memberships (maybe 10 of us), and I pretty much have been the only one to use mine. All of the others have been canceled. However, I justify it because in the IT profession, I would probably go crazy and punch someone in the face if I didn’t have a release for all of the frustration I have to deal with on a daily basis!! (slightly kidding, but not really) Anyhow, fitness is my relaxation and refresher, so I do go to the gym when my schedule allows. I used to go to a gym with towels and that was luxury for sure!! My other gyms have never offered them, so I felt really spoiled by it.
I never realized that towels were a luxury! I cant believe more people from your company don’t take advantage of that. If it were free I would have no doubts about a gym membership.
May I ask how much you pay?
My employer reimburses me for 50% of my gym membership, so it’s a no-brainer for me to keep it (and I do use it 2-3x per week!) My gym also offers towels (although I bring my own for the shower).
I love having access to different workout equipment, classes and a pool (although I haven’t used that yet ;))… and I definitely need a place to run/workout early in the morning (when it’s still dark) and when it rains in the winter.
My gym is $24/month. I used to pay around $90 so this seems like nothing! However, there was a joining fee so I knew I would definitely keep it for at least a few months. It is nice to have access to so many workout machines and a pool!
I am lucky enough that I have a treadmill and most of the equipment I need at home though if I ever take up swimming, a gym membership would come in handy for the pool!
If I had a treadmill I probably wouldn’t need a gym! (I have a spin bike, weights, workout bench, and some other random things in my home gym.) And it would also help if I could stop getting injured:)
I have invested a lot of money into my home gym so the only thing I have right now is a punch pass to the rec center so I can swim 1 – 2 x per week. I am able to get home and get ready, though…which is really nice!
That sounds perfect! Its nice being close to work but would be really nice to be able to get ready at home. I would also be more likely to go on the weekends.
My apartment complex has a gym with a membership included in rent. While they don’t have a ton of equipment – a few decent treadmills, spin bikes, ellipticals, free weights, stability balls, and a cable machine – it’s so convenient. Back when I lived in the Midwest, I ended up just getting a treadmill instead of a gym membership so I could still run on days it was too snowy/icy to even drive to the gym.
I was really hopeful when we moved into this community that we would have a gym (we have a community center and outdoor pool- not really for laps though, it opens at like 10am). Im sure when the weather is really bad this gym won’t be helpful because I won’t want to drive all the way there!
As long as the basic machines/equipments are there, and the price is good, I consider that membership a great deal.
For me to not forget anything when I pack, I do the packing at nighttime. It’s so the next day I’ll just zip the bag and go.
Yes, I always have to pack the night before! Otherwise I would definitely forget something.
I remember the packing and unpacking for the gym when I belonged to a gym near my office (omg this was before my son was born so we are talking like 14-15 years ago. wow!). it was super annoying and tedious yet had to be done right or I was screwed. and the towel thing would annoy me too! I was okay with the lifetime locker rooms but so many gym locker rooms are ick. At least you have a ton of options though! I think that’s why gyms can be good.
Exactly! I know I can pay more and go to a nicer gym but its just not worth it to me at this point.
I have pretty much had a gym membership somewhere since I was in high school. I don’t do all of my workouts there, but I like being able to try new classes and having a variety of equipment to play with.
It’s definitely nice to have all the options that a gym offers!