How to Get More Fitness for Less Money at a Fitness Club

Welcome to 2009, the Year of Frugality, known in Geezer’s home as common sense. Geezer long ago followed the advice of economists Stefano Della Vigna of UC Berkeley and Ulrike Malmendier of Stanford, and swapped his practice of paying annual fees at a local squash club for a six dollar per visit pay-to-play model. (OK, in the interest of total transparency and/or in case Mrs. Geezer busts him on this, he does maintain a full-time membership at a very sweet university fitness center, but that costs only $40 a month–OK- OK two bucks more with the towel service thrown in.)  What else can a frugal person do to minimize the costs of working out? The L.A. Times reports that many fitness centers are slashing prices in an effort to keep members from becoming former members. The paper recommends a careful study of the latest price offerings (often made online) before re-upping for last year’s price. And even if the newly offered price is not lower, it never hurts to ask for a better deal.  The paper advises first timers to negotiate “enrollment fees,” which many clubs will waive, if asked. The Times piece reminds us to ask if you can sign up
month to month, rather than be locked into a full-year contract, to check your company benefits to see if free or discounted gym memberships are offered, and to do the same with your health insurer. Many health insurers offer discounts at specific gyms. The paper also points out that if your doctor prescribes a gym membership to help treat a problem
such as arthritis, you may be able to use your flexible spending
account to pay for a membership.
Finally, the piece lists these gyms as among the lowest priced national chains:
* Snap Fitness (snapfitness.com) — 24/7 access. Fees about $40 per month, deals on couple and family memberships. Month-to-month contract.
* Anytime Fitness (anytimefitness.com)
— access 24/7, key fee of about $35, monthly rate about $35. May
require year contract plus initiation fee of about $50. Ask for best
deal.
* 24 Hour Fitness (24hourfitness.com). Monthly rate about $29; may require year contract plus initiation fee of about $50. Ask for best deal.
If a fitness club membership is still beyond reach, try some of the options suggested by the Mayo Clinic.