The frugalista in me used to tell myself that all I needed in a gym was a treadmill. Thus, I went to the local gym and signed up for $15 a month. Yes people, 15 bones a month. Can’t get much more affordable than that! We’ll call this gym Average Joe’s.
I will fully admit that Average Joe’s was good to me. It had a good amount of treadmills and really all of the weight equipment I would ever need. Plus, if you went early enough in the morning, the meatheads were minimal (I prefer working out with old people). However, towels? Forget about ‘em. Clean mats. Not here. Spinning? Nada. Convenient times for my early morning runs? Close but no cigar. Vince Vaughn to keep me motivated and tell me hilarious, possibly over-hyped jokes? Sadly, no. Overall, the gym’s amenities were minimal, but sufficient. I hopped on, hopped off and went on my merry way.
However, a new gym recently came to town. We’ll call this gym Globo Gym. While it doesn’t come complete with Ben Stiller and his silver leotard, it does come with enough bells and whistles to make any fitness junkie feel like they’re in heaven. Personal TVs you can plug your iPhone into? Sa-weet! A pool so I can get my swim on? Don’t tempt me like that! FOAM ROLLERS? You had me at hello!
Thanks to an awesome work discount, I was able to score a Globo Gym membership for around $40 a month and I’ve been living it up every moment since then. Not only did I watch the news this morning while doing speed work, I wiped my sweat with actual towels (GASP!) and foam rolled the hell out of my legs. Heaven.
So now I ask you…what makes a gym membership worth the expense to you? Do you just need the basics or are you a sucker for the bells and whistles too? How much are you willing to spend on a gym membership? And finally, why does this Bart seat smell so awful? I’m getting nervous now…
Now get out there are turn that “Frankenstein into a Franken-Fine!” Ooooh, Mr. Stiller.
Happy running!
P.S. Say hello to my little friends. Who cares if some of them don’t have mouthes, look like they stayed in a tanning bed too long or if I have no decorating skills whatsoever. At least I clothed them all! Plus, they were too good to not share. Want the best and most simple sugar cookie frosting ever? You can find it here. Enjoy!
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Day 24: 4.5 miles worth of treadmill speedwork
i actually belong to 2 gyms. the first one i’ve been a member at since it opened its doors 7 yrs ago so i have a pretty cheap price. i know everyone there, group exercise instructors included who have become good friends. i do most of my gym workouts there, but during peak hours, forget about getting on any type of cardio equipment.
i joined my second gym a year ago, mainly because it has a pool and i was taking up swimming at that time. i “worked the system” to get a cheap monthly rate which helps me to justify having 2 gym memberships (if you want to know the details of working the system, let me know and i’ll fill you in). no only do i swim there, but there are always cardio equipment available. and, if the class schedule at one gym doesn’t jive with mine, there’s always another alternative at the other gym.
all in all, i’d say i collectively pay the same amount that most people do for their one gym membership.
Once upon a time I lived in an apartment complex with the personal TV treadmills. Those are AWESOME!! I have a hard time justifying any gym membership for basically the same reason. The only thing I would use is the treadmill and I should be able to run outside, right? It sure would be nice on some of those cold, dark days though.
Oh yeah…sorry to have to tell you this Page, but someone peed on that BART seat.
Wow sounds like a pretty awesome gym! My work offers a discount at a few places too, its still expensive tho but sometimes to have all the great equipment and classes to go to is worth it, especially in the winter! i pay 35 dollars a month and have access to 6+ locations in my city and a nearby city as well. They have a lot of stuff, plus three of the locations in my city are for women only which is nice because then they have classes geared towards women.
Cookies look delicious – I could go for one right now with my coffee!
I love all of the DodgeBall References, you are hysterical.
I always justify an expensive gym (in Boston most of the decent ones are north of $65) with how many amenities I’m getting (towels, pool, classes, showers I would ACTUALLY shower in…etc) and then I like to figure out “cost per visit” at the end of the month…such a nerd!
I’m lucky because I get my membership for free since I teach one spin class a week. A pool is definitely a requirement for me and I love a good class schedule, heavy on the spinning.
oh my gosh, I spend a ridiculous amount of money each month on my gym membership, but you know what? It is totally worth it. I use it all the time…it is like a resort and I love it. Completely worth every penny.
The green monster doesn’t taste bad! It looks scarier than it tastes. You just have to pretend its not florescent green…
sounds like a nice gym! I love a good gym. I used to not be able to justify the price so my first gym membership was for trade for working in the childcare. Then I got hooked on spin class and started swimming so when we moved, I needed a gym with at least a pool and spin class, AND a childcare. Unfortunatly, I haven’t been able to get the same awesome deal and trade a membership for work, but I now justify the price. It can be pretty basic as long as I have a pool, treadmills (or an indoor track is even better!), spin classes and a childcare. Luckily a new rec center just opened up a few blocks from my house with all of those things! We forked over the money for a whole family membership, but I’m excited to have it.
Oh, and those cookies are very cute! 🙂
i have my own treadmill so i dont have a gym membership…. however, it is a good idea for extra motivation!