Surefire Ways to Save Big on Gym Memberships
Get buff without breaking the bank.
— -- There are lots of reasons people can't seem to motivate themselves to get to the gym: Too tired. No time. Not enough money.
We can help with that last one. “GMA on the Money” went to New York's Long Island to help one mom get back to the gym while cutting her costs in half.
Terry Maisto, mom of two, had been paying $85 for her NY Sports Club membership, plus in-gym child care costs. We visited three gyms near her home -- including a NY Sports Club -- to see what kind of prices a little negotiating could get.
Which brings us to tip No. 1: The first price is never the final price. No matter what price a gym quotes you, the answer is no.
Tip No. 2: Skip trying to a get a gym membership in January -- a popular month to join and one where it's harder to find deals. Same goes for spring. Do, however, wait until the end of whatever month your considering joining to do so. Salespeople have quotas to meet each month and may be more willing to negotiate at the end of the month than the beginning.
Tip 3: Consider a limited membership. Not often advertised, but worth inquiring about. With a limited membership you're only allowed to work out during certain hours, but the prices can make it worth it for those with a flexible schedule.
Tip 4: Groupon and Living Social often offer limited-time, rock-bottom prices on nearby gyms and fitness classes. We found deals near Maisto's house on yoga, kickboxing, personal training and more for as little as $14 per month.
Tip 5: ClassPass and FitReserve: Perfect for the person who loves the atmosphere of a boutique fitness studio but hates the high prices that often come with barre classes, cycling and other popular studio workouts. Memberships range from $79 to $249 per month depending on market and how many classes are purchased. Used to its full potential, it can bring boutique fitness classes -- often prices at $35 or $40 per class -- to less than half of what they would cost otherwise.
As for Maisto, we were able to bring the yearly cost of her gym membership from over $1k to under $500, for a total savings of $552.
