Is a gym membership worth it?
Key Points
- There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding whether to join a gym or not.
- Benefits of membership include a range of things, from personal safety while exercising to expert supervision.
- There is a right gym for everyone, but no one gym is right for everyone.
- To get the most out of your experience, you need to arrive prepared and exercise at least twice a week.
So, you would like the internet to answer the age-old question, is a gym membership worth it?
It’s a tricky one, and there's a lot of things to consider. To help us answer this question, we brought in an expert – Personal Trainer and all-round healthy type person, Gabrielle Petterwood.
We asked her, should I join a gym or not?
She offered a load of great advice to help make your decision easier.
What’s the benefit of joining a gym?
People join the gym for a lot of reasons. Maybe they want to work out to have more energy, adopt some good exercise habits, meet new people or just get healthier.
If you join the right gym, it should help you move towards your goals. And gym membership may also give you:
- access to top-notch equipment
- a safe and convenient place to work out
- instruction and supervision by qualified health professionals
- an unshakable urge to exercise so you’re not wasting your money
- access to fun classes, childcare and more
There is a right gym for everyone, but no one gym is right for everyone.
How much is a gym membership?
Fees vary between gyms and may depend on the available facilities and location of the gym.
How much you should pay really depends on what you could afford, what type of gym you choose and how much exercise per week you’re planning on doing.
It’s also important to remember when you’re looking at the fees that not everything is covered in the weekly or monthly payments. Some gyms charge more for added extras, like childcare. And some charge you a fee if you book a class and don’t show up.
How do you choose a gym that’s right for you?
Do you love a yoga studio vibe, or a sweaty, loud weights room? There’s no right or wrong. It’s more about being a good fit for you.
Gabrielle recommends that the number one thing you should do when you’re looking at gyms is to take your time with the decision.
I tend to recommend going at least twice a week. If you go once a week, you may not be getting the most out of a gym membership.
“All gyms are so different. You need one that works for your needs. It’s like finding a good doctor,” she says, “If something seems wrong or something doesn't seem good enough, don't settle.”
Gabrielle recommends you do a few free trials instead of signing up to the first gym you go to. “You’re spending your money and it all adds up,” she says.
Convenience matters too. The gym that’s just outside your work may not be as nice as the one that’s a 20 minute drive away. But if you walk past the gym every day, the call to regularly attend may be louder.
Using a strategy of convenience might actually be how you make yourself go to the gym.
What to ask when joining a gym
While you’re making your decision of which gym to join, make sure you ask lots of questions, such as:
- Do they charge a joining fee?
- Do they charge an exit fee?
- Is there free training, fitness plans or health check-ins included in that cost?
- Are there any hidden costs such as swipe cards for late night access?
- Can you pause or transfer your membership if you can’t use it due to injury or relocation?
- What happens to your payments if the gym is shut down temporarily?
- Are classes provided at no extra cost, how often are they booked out and is the timetable subject to change?
It’s also a great idea to do the maths. Sometimes signing up for an annual membership is not that much more expensive than a six month membership. And don’t be shy to ask for sign up fees to be waived – it can’t hurt.
How important is your relationship with trainers?
Some gyms require you to bring a towel or yoga mat.
Good trainers may be the difference between whether it’s worth joining the gym or not.
Gabrielle says it’s really important that you gel well with your trainer. They should know what they’re talking about if they’re the ones telling you what to do at the gym.
“One thing to look out for is if a trainer can't tell you why you should do something, they probably don't know. A good trainer should be able to explain what they're prescribing and how it relates to your goals,” she says.
How long does it take to see gym results?
Gabrielle says it really depends on what you’re doing and how consistent you are. She also points out, “You’re always going to feel strength and cardio adaptations before you probably notice any real change in form”.
How much exercise do I really need?
Is 30 minutes per day of exercise most days really enough? Yes, it is – although many of us seem to struggle to get that much.
But as a general rule, Gabrielle believes it will take a week to get a bit more energy and a fortnight to feel a change in mood and strength. And, of course, a little longer to see the results in the mirror.
Obviously, this depends on what you’re doing workout wise. Yoga for pelvic floor and high altitude training are likely to have very different outcomes. As will a barre stretch class vs only doing functional training exercises. Different levels of training intensity work towards different types of fitness goals, and all with different results.
And if classes seem intimidating, don’t worry – there are lots of fun ways to exercise by yourself at the gym.
And what about frequency?
“I tend to recommend going at least twice a week. If you go once a week, you may not be getting the most out of a gym membership,” says Gabrielle.
There are lots of fun ways to exercise.
What do you need to bring to the gym?
Being prepared for a good workout is going to make it more worth your time. Make sure you’re wearing clothes that allow movement, have a good-sized drink bottle and that you aren’t trying to exercise on an empty or overly full stomach.
While you don’t need a fitness smartwatch, some people like to see how many steps they’ve done or calories they’ve burnt. It may also help you to be more active in your daily life.
And don’t forget to check your gym’s recommendations.
Will you be wasting your money if you join a gym?
That really depends on whether you use your membership or not.
A 2021 survey of 1000 people revealed 32% had a gym membership, and 50% of those people attended a gym less than once a week. Around 20% go less than once a month.
The survey concluded that only half of people were getting value out of their memberships and that wasted membership fees were costing Australians a whopping $2.4 billion per year.
So, should you join a gym or not?
It’s entirely up to you. Hopefully, you now have some information to help you make the best decision for you.
And if you decide against it, remember the benefits of running, incidental exercise, yoga and strength training still exist – no matter where you do them.
Related:
Gabrielle Petterwood is a Personal Trainer with a holistic approach to fitness, nourishing the body with fresh foods and living a healthy and balanced lifestyle to realise full body health.
Reviewed by the healthylife Advisory Board January 2022.