So, I can't quite decide if I should keep my gym membership or not, so I thought I'd bring the question to the trusted blogosphere and see what the general consensus is.
I haven't been to the gym in at least four months, maybe five. I hate doing my running on the treadmill -- really, truly, just don't like it -- so I always run outdoors; however, I used to use the gym primarily for classes like spinning and yoga. And while I'd like to return to doing some of that exercise, I don't know if it's worth it to pay a membership and go to a class once a week, or, in my case, once every few months.
And really, yoga can be done at home with DVDs and I have weights at home too -- I do not, however, have a spinning studio (but, I have friends who have a bike in their garage).
Should I keep paying the gym membership? ($34.98 a month) Or, do I cancel it and keep the money all to myself? Help me decide!
12 comments:
That is a good dilema. Not only can you "spin" at my "gym" but you can also lift weights with a friend rather than at the stinky gym. I do have a spinning DVD but I am too out of shape to keep up with it. I vote to keep the money since you go so little. If you really want to go, pay the visitor fee.
I agree with Erin. Also, with the money you'd save is it possible to set up a home "spin" area? If you had that along with your weights, yoga dvd's, and your running you would be set!!
Uhmm...I wanna know what gym offers a monthly rate that low...our YMCA is even $55/mo.
...oh wait. I'm in Chicago.
I say you forego the membership and use that $35/mo. to buy yourself some fun running stuff...or save and buy yourself a stationary bike for your home if you really want to spin.
i say try the gym for a month. go to the classes, use their equipment. see how good or bad they are. see how it fits into your schedule and/or lifestyle. and if after a month you feel like it's more of a hassle, then quit. but you can't really give it a fair assessment until you actually try it out.
p.s. jess. it really IS me...i probably look much better as a cartoon :)
funny story about this pic: as heinous as it is, i tried to post it to an online dating profile bc they tell you to post pics of activities you like doing and this was really the only one i had of me running. but they DENIED it! saying something about it not being appropriate...but they were probably doing me a favor :)
Jayhawk: The membership used to be more, but b/c I am awesome, they dropped it (j/k, it dropped b/c of my long-term membership -- which was a year).
MPA: I'm guessing it's b/c you're showing your midriff that the site wouldn't host your pic; plus, it might have been just too damn HOT for them!
i would say keep the money for yourself.
DEFINITELY.
My name is Robert Key and I am a runner from Houston, Texas. I ran the Aramco Half-Marathon with my 14 year old son (his longest run to date). I saw your blog via June's blog site when I was reading her posts about the Houston Marathon. I have a web site at http://www.faithfulsoles.com that is inspirational stories for walkers, runners and athletes of all ages and abilities. A new feature I am adding to the site is a searchable blog database where people can find a blog of interest to them based on similar abilities, goals and interests (June has already linked her blog to it). To my knowledge it will be the only one of its kind for runners on the internet. I would be honored if you would allow me to put a link to your blog on the site. Just click on "Link your running blog" under "Free Features" from the home page. If you want to learn more about my running background, just click on "Meet Robert" from the main menu , or to learn more about my involvement in the running community leading up to last weekend, click on "Faithful Soles in the news" in the left column under "Weekly Features".
Is there a spinning studio and/or yoga studio in your neighborhood that you could just pay by the class when you wanted to go?
If so I would quit the gym
I am sort of a fan of having a gym available...and I also agree that your monthly fee is incredibly LOW!! But I also think that for you, it might make more sense to save the money to buy home equipment (free weights, a bike, etc) that you'd be more excited to use. But I also like the idea of paying the visitor's fee if you really want to go. Just an aside--I hated lifting for so long, and now I fear I'm becoming quite addicted to it--in a good way :) so, basically, what I'm saying is: anything's possible! Good luck with your decision!!
I'm a fan of the do-it-youself gym, ie DVDs and my own set of weights. That said, if you lose the membership but change your mind, will you end up paying a higher montly fee than the one based on your long-term 1 year relationship with the gym?
I think if I had the opportunity to run OUTSIDE....YEAR ROUND....I definitely would NOT have a gym membership. Save your money. Spend 30 bucks a month on new running clothes or short distant races to get those cool free tee's!
Ummm, I like having access to a gym. Even if you only get to one class/wk, like a pilates or yoga... it would equate to less than $9 per time. Cheaper than a movie, cheaper than a drink at some places... and it's fun to get out and be around people too! Just my thoughts! ;)
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