I recently updated my personal Facebook and Twitter status to the following:
"I will be getting my money's worth at the gym later today."
A few hours later, a friend left the following comment:
"That's an expensive workout!"
Unfortunately, she is right and she of all people would know. We are coworkers and members of the same gym. She works out 6 -7 days per week while I have worked out 6-7 times the past 3 months. Her comment inspired me to figure out just how much how I was paying per workout.
I'm contracted to pay $50 per month over a two year period. That means I'll be dropping $1,200 total over this two year period. That sounds pretty expensive, and regardless of how often I go, it's still $600 per year. Assuming my friend has the same contract and attends 6 times per week during this two year period, or 624 times, then her cost per workout would be $1.92. Not bad. Especially when you consider the other cost benefits associated with good health. Assuming I continue going to the gym twice per month over the next two years, or 48 times, then my cost per workout would be $25! Now that is an expensive workout!
Where you live at paying 50 bucks a month? Im in the Philly suburbs and most are between 20-50 as well. When it comes to gym memberships, I for one, get my money’s worth and then some! There are some people who have a membership and maybe go a few times a month. If it is a good gym(50 bucks a month must be pretty nice) it should have other things you can do there other than working out.. i.e. sauna, swimming, basketball, exercise classes. My tip to getting your gyms worth? Vary it up and try everything possible.
@ Doctor S – It is a very nice gym and one that I have not been taking advantage of. Like everyone else, I have plenty of excuses. My biggest hurdle is finding time between work, grad school and homework, and still finding time to hang out with my amazing wife. I agree that you should try all the different equipment and vary your workouts. Afterall, you can run, walk, and jog for free.