Thinking of joining Bally Total Fitness... advice?

[trillionaire]

I''ve been working out at home and going to the gym at the complex where we live, but it''s pretty small and ho-hum. I guess I thought it was sufficient until I went to Bally on a 7 day pass, and WOW! It''s a totally different workout experience! There was so much more variety to my workout, which translates into more time in the gym, and less dread of going. And I can''t lie, having a personal tv on every piece of cardio equipment is very compelling to me. Zoning out really helps me work out more effectively.

So, I guess I have a few questions:

For any Bally or former Bally members, any important experiences (good or bad) that you can share? Any problems with management/payments/fees/rule changes, etc?

The options that I have are these:

1. $20 a month, for a three day a week membership, multi-gym. No contract.
2. $35 a month for 7 day, multi-gym membership, no contract.
3. $25 a month, 7 day membership to one gym. No contract, but a $50 enrollment fee.

The gym is right by my house, about a half a mile away. Very walkable, and very convenient to go to any day of the week.

Part of me says that $25 a month is a better deal, because the likelihood of me using another gym is pretty low... unless we moved. However, the likelihood of us moving before we get married is pretty much zero, and that is 6 months away... after 5 months, I will actually start to save on the membership. If we moved, after that, I guess I could just cancel?

I also wonder how much I will go... I''ve never had a gym membership, and I always seem good at avoiding workouts, even when they are convenient

. I''m trying to balance in my head what would make the most sense from a cost/benefits perspective. Would appreciate any thoughts...

 

[whitby_2773]

hi trill

i used to LOVE going to the gym. hated the workouts - but just loved the whole gym experience, so consequently bit the bullet and used to go all the time.

i really think what makes the difference between making the most of it or wasting your money is your level of motivation. if you reeeeally want it - get the membership which will give you most access. but if you're so-so, try a lower level membership and see if you do that much. can you ramp up later if you find you're maxing out your available days? i agree that the $25 membership seems best for where you're at at this point in time.

i'm a member at the Y now, and it's by far the nicest gym around. we have a Bally's close by, but the Y is bigger, newer and much better appointed. it also has a full indoor pool. the Bally's near us is good if you're young and buff and want floor to ceiling glass walls that face on to the street.

some of us are a bit too old for that now....

either way, tho, i'd get the membership and go; i love gym workouts and loved the whole experience. and i LOVED what it did for my body!

 

[trillionaire]

Date: 3/21/2010 1:02:46 AM
Author: whitby_2773
hi trill

i used to LOVE going to the gym. hated the workouts - but just loved the whole gym experience, so consequently bit the bullet and used to go all the time.

i really think what makes the difference between making the most of it or wasting your money is your level of motivation. if you reeeeally want it - get the membership which will give you most access. but if you''re so-so, try a lower level membership and see if you do that much. can you ramp up later if you find you''re maxing out your available days? i agree that the $25 membership seems best for where you''re at at this point in time.

i''m a member at the Y now, and it''s by far the nicest gym around. we have a Bally''s close by, but the Y is bigger, newer and much better appointed. it also has a full indoor pool. the Bally''s near us is good if you''re young and buff and want floor to ceiling glass walls that face on to the street.

some of us are a bit too old for that now....

either way, tho, i''d get the membership and go; i love gym workouts and loved the whole experience. and i LOVED what it did for my body!

Thanks Whitby! I did look into the local Y, but the Bally location is much, much more convenient, and when I think about doing something I don''t love to do, I know that convenience is key! I am motivated and really WANT to start working out regularly, but I also don''t want to waste $20-35/month... so I guess the no contract thing makes me comfortable enough. I have been reading a book on financial planning, and it encourages you to think of the things that you value most, and to then make your lifestyle/spending/saving reflect those values. Health/fitness was in my top 5, so it dawned on me that a small monthly investment in myself made a lot of sense, rather than trying to talk myself out of wasting money when I have a free gym at our complex. Honestly though, and as you mentioned, it''s not the same as having access to a full gym. Psychologically, it makes a lot of difference. I don''t know what it would cost me to upgrade a membership, if I went with the minimum of 3 days... will have to look into that.

And there are no big glass windows in our Bally... it''s underground!

 

[whitby_2773]

Date: 3/21/2010 1:18:31 AM
Author: trillionaire

Thanks Whitby! I did look into the local Y, but the Bally location is much, much more convenient, and when I think about doing something I don''t love to do, I know that convenience is key! I am motivated and really WANT to start working out regularly, but I also don''t want to waste $20-35/month... so I guess the no contract thing makes me comfortable enough. I have been reading a book on financial planning, and it encourages you to think of the things that you value most, and to then make your lifestyle/spending/saving reflect those values. Health/fitness was in my top 5, so it dawned on me that a small monthly investment in myself made a lot of sense, rather than trying to talk myself out of wasting money when I have a free gym at our complex. Honestly though, and as you mentioned, it''s not the same as having access to a full gym. Psychologically, it makes a lot of difference. I don''t know what it would cost me to upgrade a membership, if I went with the minimum of 3 days... will have to look into that.


And there are no big glass windows in our Bally... it''s underground!

really sensible thinking, trill - and a good solid reason for making the decision you have re getting a membership.

i''m sure this will work out for you just great.

 

[Regular Guy]

the $25 sounds right to me, too.

Also, sounds like Bally''s and you make a good fit.

I hope to start using our membership to the Y before our need for it because of our boy''s day care needs runs out.

Otherwise...before opening this thread, and reading your detail...I was going to recommend you bring with you one of those (old) laugh boxes. Used to be they were famous for hot seats, and contracts you could never walk out of Bally''s with, unsigned.

But, I think they''ve changed. And, regardless...it sounds like on the fundamentals, it''s a good fit for you. AND, you''ve been trying it, which is important.

I did have a good relationship with working out and the Y...but have not been able to coordinate that as well a) as married, and then b) worse, with kids. So, pre-marriage, my work out life was absolutely best.

Regards,

 

[Haven]

I''ve been a member of Bally for years, and I even worked there as a PT for a while.

I recently switched from my old membership to add myself on to DH''s plan using a family membership deal. We each pay $19 a month for unlimited access to any BTF in the nation. I wonder if there will be any deals like that coming up in your area?

Even so, $25 a month is a nice deal. I''ve always found Bally to be clean and the only time I''ve ever had to wait for a machine is when I go at the very heavy workout times--5 PM or 5 AM, really. Before and after work for most people, I guess.

All you *really* need from a gym, in my opinion, are the particular weights or machines *you* use, and group ex classes that suit your needs. If Bally has those things, which I strongly bet it does, go for it!

As for actually going to the gym, the best motivator is a workout buddy. Once someone else is holding you accountable, it''s a lot harder to ditch out on your workout. When I worked in the corporate world I met a coworker at the gym every morning before work, and we were NOT allowed to call each other to cancel. And, we used to split a peanut butter and banana protein smoothie every Weds if we both showed up every day as our treat. It was fun!

 

[whitby_2773]

Date: 3/21/2010 1:17:07 PM
Author: Haven
I've been a member of Bally for years, and I even worked there as a PT for a while.


I recently switched from my old membership to add myself on to DH's plan using a family membership deal. We each pay $19 a month for unlimited access to any BTF in the nation. I wonder if there will be any deals like that coming up in your area?


Even so, $25 a month is a nice deal. I've always found Bally to be clean and the only time I've ever had to wait for a machine is when I go at the very heavy workout times--5 PM or 5 AM, really. Before and after work for most people, I guess.


All you *really* need from a gym, in my opinion, are the particular weights or machines *you* use, and group ex classes that suit your needs. If Bally has those things, which I strongly bet it does, go for it!


As for actually going to the gym, the best motivator is a workout buddy. Once someone else is holding you accountable, it's a lot harder to ditch out on your workout. When I worked in the corporate world I met a coworker at the gym every morning before work, and we were NOT allowed to call each other to cancel. And, we used to split a peanut butter and banana protein smoothie every Weds if we both showed up every day as our treat. It was fun!

funny, haven! i used to give myself a mango smoothie after every workout; my gym coffee shop had the best smoothies in town! food is such a great motivator...

 

[April20]

I belonged to Bally for years when one was close to my house. I loved it. I did the 3 day a week pass for one year and didn''t love that. It was way too limiting. I eventually switched it to the 7 day a week, one gym pass. It was great. One gym was fine for me- I knew it I was traveling somewhere else I probably wasn''t going to go anyway!

I miss having a Bally''s close. The closest one to me now is about ten miles away and just too, too far. I got a treadmill and a road bike and I do that now. I miss the weights most though.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Hi Trill,

I''m not a member, but my FI is. He signed one of their hideous contracts when he was 18... but by sticking it out, he''s now a man in his 30s with a unlimited-location gym membership which costs $6/month!

FWIW, not all Bally''s locations are equal. Unlike what you describe for the Bally''s you toured, the locations here in CA have 10-20 year old cardio machines, 30+ year weight machines, and grimy locker rooms. Forget in-machine personal TVs-- until last year''s most recent bankruptcy filing, the TV situation was 3, 1990s-era old-school CRTs up front with a chipped sign telling you to which frequency you should tune your walkman (!!!) if you wished to listen. On the plus side, it sounds like your region''s Ballys are far from decrepit, and that obviously is what matters most. Just wanted to give you the full spectrum of knowledge while making your decision.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

As for problems with breaking out of contracts, Bally's was a notorious offender in years past, especially with the 50-miles-from-a-location-with-proof clause. Hopefully this is not the case any more, but Bally's has a long history of deceptive contracts so READ THE TERMS CAREFULLY before signing. (After all, notice how right now you're describing the options as "no contract"-- umm, you'll be signing something, that something will have terms and conditions which they have drafted, it IS A CONTRACT, just not absurdly long-term... but look at how they've *already* slyly corralled you into using the words YOURSELF to indicate that Bally's offer to you is "no contract"! Sneaky, eh?

)

 

[charbie]

i never was a member at bally, but have been at two other gyms, and it is totally worth it in my opinion. i''d get the 7 day pass, because if something creeps up, it is so nice to have another day to fall back on.

also, do you plan on taking any group fitness classes? i never used to, but about a year ago became hooked on a few of them, and now LOVE spinning, urban iron (weight lifting class) and the like. however, my favorite classes are only offered 1-2 days a week at each club, so it is worth it for me to be able to go to a different club, even if it isn''t the most convenient, because then i can take a class i prefer. just some food for thought (but don''t eat it for 15 mins before running or swimming. you''ll get a cramp.)

 

[trillionaire]

Thanks everyone for chiming in!

I took the plunge today... went with the $25/month option. The flexibility (multi gym) would be nice, but it's not worth $10 a month to me. Hopefully we'll stay put long enough for the cost/benefits ratio to kick in!

Either way, I'm excited, and THANK YOU Fleur for reminding me to scour my contract! I was running errands all day, and left it in the car. I need to go over the details while I have my 'grace period'. By no contract, I meant that I wasn't committed to a year or more, and would be paying month to month. They do have a lot of tricky things though... it's on automatic payment, but if I prefer to pay monthly via cash, debit or check, I am charged an extra $5!?! Yeah... lot of fine print to go through!

I also got a 14 day pass for FI, so we'll see if he is interested in joining after he checks out the gym. I honestly never would have joined if I hadn't gone... it wasn't even a consideration.

And I already have a session with a personal trainer tomorrow! Eek!

I'm very excited, and I thank you all for your help and input. For example, it was fantastic to hear about great experiences, good to know about tricky contracts of the past, and helpful to know that all gyms are not created equal. I also never considered group classes, but will have to now with all of your endorsements! I am so scared of spinning! Yikes!

Cheers to fitness, and aligning your values with your lifestyle (and your wallet!)