How much do you pay for your Gym membership/Gym Recommendations

Ayresome

Ayresome

Active member
I normally go to the Sports Village and do 3 classes per week where possible (circuits, bodypump and prior to Covid, a HIIT Class). Due to Covid the classes are smaller and I am struggling to get booked on the classes on a regular basis.

I am not looking for a spa/pool like David Lloyds but just a standard gym to have classes.

I pay £300/year at the Sports Village but it is pointless if I can't get booked on. I just enquired at a local gym and they quoted me £85/month.

Have you got any recommendations for a gym with such classes and what is "reasonable to pay" please?
 
I used to go to TruGym at Stockton next to warburtons factory, was about £20 a month and had good class availability.

I now just use gear at home and built a connected spin bike for my own cardio (complemented with running outdoors and real cycling when weather & time allows)
 
Thanks TheFair. I have weights and as step at home but lack the discipline to put the work in every other day. If I book a class I find that I will commit to it. Not sure why but getting out in the car to get there and the great feeling once the class has been completed help me keep going.
 
Ayresome said:
Thanks TheFair. I have weights and as step at home but lack the discipline to put the work in every other day. If I book a class I find that I will commit to it. Not sure why but getting out in the car to get there and the great feeling once the class has been completed help me keep going.
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Have you thought about crossfit? Cater for all abilities. Good wide range of exercise. Generally 1 hour classes.

They range in price but generally £55-£70 month.

In the area you have Teesside (Thornaby), Stokesley, Billingham, Longacre (Skelton) and Darlington.
 
I pay £22 pm at the Forum in Billingham. So that covers the gym, all fitness classes and swimming. Pretty good value for money. it also allows access to other Activ8 gyms. So that covers Stockton, Thornaby and the new one that has just opened in Ingleby Barwick.
 
B_G i have never been a fan of crossfit but I have not tried it so will take another look on line.
The reason for the original question is that 3 x 45 mins classes does not seem excessive to me and I was paying £25/month pre covid. Is £50-£70/month the going rate to attend 3 classes per week and where (perhaps TruGym) can I go in Middlesbrough/Linthorpe area to actually get into the classes?
 
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Ayresome said:
Doom, thanks. Can you get into your classes easily enough with the Covid reduced classes?
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I know some people have struggled with the new online booking system....I'm not sure if that is teething problems with the software or the volume of online traffic...or the fact that some people aren't very computer literate...me personally I've had no issues...apart from the day they reopened and as expected...the system crashed once or twice....

I use the gym almost every day and go at 5pm during the week...I've never had problems getting a spot...I've also booked the swimming and whilst online...seen plenty of available spaces for fitness classes and spinning etc....there seems to be plenty of classes...I usually play safe and book my spots a few days in advance....but I've also forgot and booked an hour before setting off...no issues so far...

I would say as a disclaimer....yesterday was the busiest it's been since reopening...I guess it'll start getting busier still...
 
Ayresome said:
B_G i have never been a fan of crossfit but I have not tried it so will take another look on line.
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Crossfit gets a of bad press mainly:
  • Half Reps
  • Speedy Reps
  • Poor Form
  • Dangerous Movements
These arguments are mainly aimed at competitive crossfit where they might have some substance.

However, for the casual crossfit gym attendee. Focus will always be on:
  • Ensuring client moves well
  • Ensuring every client gets a good workout by scaling the workout of the day appropriately
  • Working on functional movements which transfer into the real world and prevent chronic pain in later years of life
Even if sceptical, I would encourage any person to try a class (most crossfit gyms offer a free taster).

On a side note, Crossfit gyms and other small class based gyms can seem expensive at first glance. But when you consider that numbers are capped with a coach in every session, the large amounts of quality equipment required to run the classes and the large spaces required to run the classes its easy to see where the money goes. They can't compete with the big chains who benefit from economies of scale and the masses of members (many who rarely use the facility). I know from personal experience that these gyms do not make a lot of money and many run at a loss or do well just to break even.
 
Lifestyle Fitness just off Newport Road near Lidl. You can pay £17 a month for a 12 month contract or pay £21 a month and you can cancel any time (no contract).

Before lockdown it was open 24/7 but they are not at moment to make place safe for the public so operating reduced hours. They hope to go back 24/7 very soon.
 
I use active life at scotch corner, though I live in Richmond. £45 a month for Me, the Mrs and any kids under 4. Though they never charge me for the 6 yer old when I take her in to swim.

When I lived in MSG I used Bannatyne darlington and paid £42 a month.
 
Ayresome said:
Thanks TheFair. I have weights and as step at home but lack the discipline to put the work in every other day. If I book a class I find that I will commit to it. Not sure why but getting out in the car to get there and the great feeling once the class has been completed help me keep going.
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I know where you are coming from but (there had to be a but didn’t there)
You can subscribe to any amount of Apps these days (les Mills etc) and do all that from your home coupled with a bit of kit (rower or cross fit).
It will tick all your fitness boxes and be cheaper.

Requires a bit of discipline - agreed, but not insurmountable for the convenience
 
Thanks for all the replies which are very much appreciated. It seems like £20-£25/month is the going rate so it puts the £85 into perspective. I am going to try and close my account at the sports village and try Activ8. Cheers all.
 
B_G said:
Crossfit gets a of bad press mainly:

On a side note, Crossfit gyms and other small class based gyms can seem expensive at first glance. But when you consider that numbers are capped with a coach in every session, the large amounts of quality equipment required to run the classes and the large spaces required to run the classes its easy to see where the money goes. They can't compete with the big chains who benefit from economies of scale and the masses of members (many who rarely use the facility). I know from personal experience that these gyms do not make a lot of money and many run at a loss or do well just to break even.
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Thanks B_G - I think your comments on the small class based gyms is spot on and understand that they need to make a profit. I am really enjoying the workouts and the small groups and would love to stay full time. However paying £200/year at the moment to paying £1,020/year is a massive difference. It may be that I could use a PT for the additional £800 and use the Activ8 or sports village as the base.
 
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