switching gyms, what would be a deal breaker?

[Sandra6]

Mr 6 and I are members at a local DWgym, I pay £20and he pays £25- for his extra fiver he gets to go any time while I can only go between 9and 5.
This weekend we took advantage of a free pass to visit lifestyle fitness -just across the road.
The 12month contract deal is £17.99 a month (non contract £21.99)
It was a really well laid out gym, open,bright, masses more equipment than DW. The spinning class we took was good, but I found the instructor's voice quite annoying.
The major downside was the changing room. There were only 3 showers, no vanity units or hairdryers provided and very functional in appearance, I'm used to a bit more luxury.
For me it's a deal breaker.
Am I being unreasonable??

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Simply put yes you are being unreasonable.... its a gym, not a hotel.
If your stuff is not getting nicked and its cheaper, I would jump at it.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Not at all. Being happy in your gym is probably the best motivation to keep going back.

 

[Dayvo]

Obviously I look at the facilities I require in choosing a gym/sports club, but my mind is made up for me by looking at the cleanliness of the showers and changing rooms.

 

[MrJamie]

Definitely go for the one that you're most likely to use, especially as the prices aren't hugely different, but value for money would be even if you just go less often

Presumably he already goes on his own some of the time (for his extra £5), would it be that bad to go to separate gyms if they're close together?

 

[Night Train]

For me the deal breaker would be having to pay, and the gym not being in my conservatory.

Unless saving a few quid is really important I would suggest going to the one that you are most comfortable using overall.

 

[stephec]

It's a case of you get what you pay for.

Maybe if your new gym provided hairdryers etc then it could end up charging the same as DW.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

The best gym i have ever been in , had no equipment , no showers , no sweaty bodies .
Thinking back it did have chairs , carpet , a dukebox and a long bar thing to lean on and chat whilst sipping personality booster.

Ah yes ,, it was a pub., oh and it is "pay as you go"

 

[Sandra6]

Thanks for your thoughts.
I'm going to stick with what I know, I'm reasonably happy with it overall and if I switch I may hate it and end up finding even more reasons not to go.
Come summer I'm planning to cancel my membership and stick to cycling and running anyway.

 

[SquareDaff]

Gyms are a waste of money. Buy an exercise ball, mat and a dumbell tree. You can exercise every muscle in the body at home with those 3 pieces of kit (well strictly speaking you don't need the mat - that's my concession to hygene).

 

[Sandra6]

Gyms are a waste of money. Buy an exercise ball, mat and a dumbell tree. You can exercise every muscle in the body at home with those 3 pieces of kit (well strictly speaking you don't need the mat - that's my concession to hygene).

I have the above, and a step and an exercise bike, and they are all gathering dust or being used to hang clothes on.

 

[SquareDaff]

I have the above, and a step and an exercise bike, and they are all gathering dust or being used to hang clothes on.

If you want me to send you some exercises I'm happy to do so. A lot of people don't use the simplest equipment because they don't know what exercises to do.

And the gyms are hardly going to tell you that you can gain the same benefits from a £10 gym ball and £20 dumbell tree as you can from a several thousand pound piece of kit you pay £x /month for are they?

As far as I can see- the only benefit you get from a gym is the "mental switch" of "now it's time to train" you get from actually going there.

Just to stress - not ranting - just had my eyes opened as I too feel into that trap!!

 

[fossyant]

I chose the gym near me as it's all brand new equipment and there is loads of it to use - no waiting. I don't use the changing rooms - just jump in the car and I'm home within minutes and get a shower there - I'm usually fitting a session in between kid 'pick ups' between clubs, so 15 minutes getting changed eats into the gym time.

Haven't even looked at the changing rooms - I suspect they are OK as there are about 10 football pitches, tennis courts and various 'classes' going on.

 

[Archie_tect]

Hang on Sandra, the new gym's across the road from you.... so why would you need a shower/ hairdryer/ changing room? You can just change at home, walk across the road to the gym and then cross the road home and change there... or am I missing something?

My son's into going to a gym, never understood why but then it's a different generation. You are obviously young and daft, whereas I'm just daft.

 

[geo]

If you want me to send you some exercises I'm happy to do so. A lot of people don't use the simplest equipment because they don't know what exercises to do.

And the gyms are hardly going to tell you that you can gain the same benefits from a £10 gym ball and £20 dumbell tree as you can from a several thousand pound piece of kit you pay £x /month for are they?

As far as I can see- the only benefit you get from a gym is the "mental switch" of "now it's time to train" you get from actually going there.

Just to stress - not ranting - just had my eyes opened as I too feel into that trap!!

I have a gym ball and find it a useful piece of kit, always open to exercise suggestions though, particularly abs ones so feel free to share any good ones you have if you dont mind .