You can pay up to $95 a month and get "the latest state-of-the-art equipment and hundreds of fun classes" or "great amenities to keep your workouts challenging and fun," but our survey of more than 10,000 subscribers to ConsumerReports.org indicates that you might be happier spending a lot less. Readers gave higher marks to the Y, community centers, and office gyms than to most of the big chains we rated.
In our first survey about workout facilities, readers who used a gym in the past six months provided the inside scoop about staff, equipment, classes, crowds, cleanliness, locker rooms, and billing issues. The 3,400 respondents who had canceled a membership in another gym during the past three years told us why they left and whether it was easy to cancel (often, it wasn't). To investigate the sometimes-tricky experience of joining a health club, we also sent 12 mystery shoppers to ask about joining branches of the major chains in nine states. Their experiences helped generate the tips in this report. Among our findings:
In our first survey about workout facilities, readers who used a gym in the past six months provided the inside scoop about staff, equipment, classes, crowds, cleanliness, locker rooms, and billing issues. The 3,400 respondents who had canceled a membership in another gym during the past three years told us why they left and whether it was easy to cancel (often, it wasn't). To investigate the sometimes-tricky experience of joining a health club, we also sent 12 mystery shoppers to ask about joining branches of the major chains in nine states. Their experiences helped generate the tips in this report. Among our findings:
Independents rule. Studios for yoga, dance, or Pilates; work gyms; community centers; school gyms; and nonprofit Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and YMCAs or YWCAs outscored most of the big chains. Usually, the main draw was value.
Life Time is hot, Bally is not. Life Time Fitness was the only big chain toward the top of the Ratings, with high marks for equipment, locker rooms, classes, and hours. (Most locations are open 24 hours a day.) The low-rated Bally Total Fitness was criticized for wait times for machines, problems with contracts or fees, poorer cleanliness, and less-adequate locker rooms than others. (Bally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the summer of 2007, just before we conducted our survey. Bally clubs stayed open during the restructuring, and the company emerged from bankruptcy in October.)
Bills can be a pain. Among respondents with paid memberships, 16 percent had a problem with their contract or fees, such as an unexpected dues hike or inability to suspend their membership temporarily during an expected absence. Members of Bally and Town Sports International were most likely to have had those problems (34 percent and 28 percent, respectively).
It can be difficult to cancel. Thirty-eight percent of respondents who had canceled their membership in one of the big chains had at least one problem, such as receiving bills after cancellation and excessive time and effort to cancel.
Life Time is hot, Bally is not. Life Time Fitness was the only big chain toward the top of the Ratings, with high marks for equipment, locker rooms, classes, and hours. (Most locations are open 24 hours a day.) The low-rated Bally Total Fitness was criticized for wait times for machines, problems with contracts or fees, poorer cleanliness, and less-adequate locker rooms than others. (Bally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the summer of 2007, just before we conducted our survey. Bally clubs stayed open during the restructuring, and the company emerged from bankruptcy in October.)
Bills can be a pain. Among respondents with paid memberships, 16 percent had a problem with their contract or fees, such as an unexpected dues hike or inability to suspend their membership temporarily during an expected absence. Members of Bally and Town Sports International were most likely to have had those problems (34 percent and 28 percent, respectively).
It can be difficult to cancel. Thirty-eight percent of respondents who had canceled their membership in one of the big chains had at least one problem, such as receiving bills after cancellation and excessive time and effort to cancel.
Know the options
The big chains. These can be pricey but often offer extras including personal training, child care, and spa services. Along with Ys, they might have electronic tracking systems, such as FitLinxx, which let you log in with a PIN and get customized coaching toward goals you've set. The choice of equipment itself isn't always better at big chains than at Ys.
Life Time was basically tops among chains for everything except crowds and value, for which it earned average scores. At the women-only Curves, where a 30-minute circuit-training routine is already laid out, customers were generally satisfied but cited limited workout options and substandard locker rooms. Curves has more locations than any other nationwide gym and less crowding and shorter wait times than most: Exercisers basically jump right into a training circuit. Women-only chains (another is Contours Express) offer a nonintimidating environment and provide a nice gateway into exercise, especially for an older or inexperienced exerciser, though our findings hint that women eventually outgrow them.
Gold's has a better-than-average variety of equipment but otherwise didn't stand out. Members of 24 Hour Fitness rated staff and cleanliness below average. LA Fitness members also complained about inattentive staff. Town Sports members were lukewarm about their gym overall and were especially critical of its value. Bally pretty much disappointed across the board. The four chains toward the bottom of the chart all had below-average marks for crowds, something to consider especially if you have to exercise during peak times, such as after work.
JCCs and Ys. They often offer classes and are most likely to tailor them to specific groups, including kids, women, and seniors. YMCAs have more locations than YWs and are more likely to have fitness facilities. JCCs and YMCAs also sponsor cultural events, such as lectures and concerts. JCCs and local community centers tend to have a higher proportion of members older than 55 than other gyms.
College and university gyms. They provide greater access to large-scale athletic facilities: basketball courts, racquet courts, running tracks, even climbing walls (32 percent of school gyms in our survey had them, vs. 10 percent of the big chains). That makes them an attractive option for people interested in specific sports. To use some of these gyms, you must be affiliated with the school.
Gyms at work and in residences. Gyms provided by apartment buildings or housing complexes are convenient but tend to have limited equipment. Work gyms offer similar convenience but might have more varied equipment, plus access to a personal trainer or exercise classes.
Yoga/dance/Pilates studios. These have by definition less-varied equipment or none at all, but they pleased people interested in specific disciplines, we found.
Consider the cheapest choice. Sneakers, an exercise ball, and free weights can help you build strength and aerobic fitness on your own. According to our reader surveys, the most successful exercisers work out at the same time each day or map out a weekly workout schedule, wherever they exercise. Watching TV or listening to music also helped.
Make the most of your visit
Get a free trial. Every chain we visited offers these, for one day to one week. (If you're considering an independent gym, ask there, too.) Some major chains let you print a pass at their Web site before going; otherwise, ask a salesperson. You typically have to listen to a pitch before using your pass. Assess the crowds, equipment, class schedule, and locker rooms, as well as the club's overall vibe and how comfortable you feel in it. If your pass lasts longer than a day, come back at different times to see how conditions change.
Ask about membership choices. Most clubs have several, with varying levels of access or amenities. A 24 Hour Fitness in Tualatin, Ore., for example, offered our shopper eight membership packages, from the Platinum Plus all-club (access to all clubs and facilities nationwide, plus coupons, 20 personal-training sessions, and nutrition kit) to the Value Plus (access only to the club joined, and on alternating days). Be honest with yourself about what you're likely to use. If you're a senior or student, inquire about special discounts.
Ask about payment options. Although a contract of a year or more might save money in the long run, it makes sense only if you're fairly sure you'll use the gym for that long, since you'll have to keep paying even if you bail early. If you can't commit, consider a month-to-month plan. (You'll typically have to pay first and last month's dues up front.) With any chain, expect to pay an initiation or enrollment fee of about $75 to $300 and possibly a one-time processing fee. (24 Hour Fitness charges $80.)
Many clubs now accept payment only via an electronic funds transfer, in which your bank account is automatically debited or your credit card is automatically charged each month. Other clubs offer a discount if you pay that way.
Don't get pressured by a "special." About half the clubs had a special the day our shoppers visited. Curves in several states, for instance, offered our shoppers $50 off the $150 initiation fee and the first month free. It's good to join during a sale, but don't feel rushed for fear that you'll miss the deal. Clubs run promotions all the time. You're especially likely to find sales right after New Year's, when clubs rush to recruit regretful revelers.
Try bargaining. As with so many other services, haggling could earn you a lower rate. When our shopper at a Bally Total Fitness in Boca Raton, Fla., balked at the $150 enrollment fee, the sales rep lowered it to $75, then offered to waive it and lower the monthly charge if the shopper came to a club only three days a week. She hesitated, and he said he'd lower the monthly rate moreto $15, down from the original $42.99 -- if she signed up that day. When the same shopper went to an LA Fitness in Boynton Beach, Fla., and noted the high cost, a manager offered to reduce the registration fee from $149 to $50 and the monthly charge from $45 to $35.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For full access to Ratings and recommendations of appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more, subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.
BACK TO: Consumer Reports: Smart Shopping
The big chains. These can be pricey but often offer extras including personal training, child care, and spa services. Along with Ys, they might have electronic tracking systems, such as FitLinxx, which let you log in with a PIN and get customized coaching toward goals you've set. The choice of equipment itself isn't always better at big chains than at Ys.
Life Time was basically tops among chains for everything except crowds and value, for which it earned average scores. At the women-only Curves, where a 30-minute circuit-training routine is already laid out, customers were generally satisfied but cited limited workout options and substandard locker rooms. Curves has more locations than any other nationwide gym and less crowding and shorter wait times than most: Exercisers basically jump right into a training circuit. Women-only chains (another is Contours Express) offer a nonintimidating environment and provide a nice gateway into exercise, especially for an older or inexperienced exerciser, though our findings hint that women eventually outgrow them.
Gold's has a better-than-average variety of equipment but otherwise didn't stand out. Members of 24 Hour Fitness rated staff and cleanliness below average. LA Fitness members also complained about inattentive staff. Town Sports members were lukewarm about their gym overall and were especially critical of its value. Bally pretty much disappointed across the board. The four chains toward the bottom of the chart all had below-average marks for crowds, something to consider especially if you have to exercise during peak times, such as after work.
JCCs and Ys. They often offer classes and are most likely to tailor them to specific groups, including kids, women, and seniors. YMCAs have more locations than YWs and are more likely to have fitness facilities. JCCs and YMCAs also sponsor cultural events, such as lectures and concerts. JCCs and local community centers tend to have a higher proportion of members older than 55 than other gyms.
College and university gyms. They provide greater access to large-scale athletic facilities: basketball courts, racquet courts, running tracks, even climbing walls (32 percent of school gyms in our survey had them, vs. 10 percent of the big chains). That makes them an attractive option for people interested in specific sports. To use some of these gyms, you must be affiliated with the school.
Gyms at work and in residences. Gyms provided by apartment buildings or housing complexes are convenient but tend to have limited equipment. Work gyms offer similar convenience but might have more varied equipment, plus access to a personal trainer or exercise classes.
Yoga/dance/Pilates studios. These have by definition less-varied equipment or none at all, but they pleased people interested in specific disciplines, we found.
Consider the cheapest choice. Sneakers, an exercise ball, and free weights can help you build strength and aerobic fitness on your own. According to our reader surveys, the most successful exercisers work out at the same time each day or map out a weekly workout schedule, wherever they exercise. Watching TV or listening to music also helped.
Make the most of your visit
Get a free trial. Every chain we visited offers these, for one day to one week. (If you're considering an independent gym, ask there, too.) Some major chains let you print a pass at their Web site before going; otherwise, ask a salesperson. You typically have to listen to a pitch before using your pass. Assess the crowds, equipment, class schedule, and locker rooms, as well as the club's overall vibe and how comfortable you feel in it. If your pass lasts longer than a day, come back at different times to see how conditions change.
Ask about membership choices. Most clubs have several, with varying levels of access or amenities. A 24 Hour Fitness in Tualatin, Ore., for example, offered our shopper eight membership packages, from the Platinum Plus all-club (access to all clubs and facilities nationwide, plus coupons, 20 personal-training sessions, and nutrition kit) to the Value Plus (access only to the club joined, and on alternating days). Be honest with yourself about what you're likely to use. If you're a senior or student, inquire about special discounts.
Ask about payment options. Although a contract of a year or more might save money in the long run, it makes sense only if you're fairly sure you'll use the gym for that long, since you'll have to keep paying even if you bail early. If you can't commit, consider a month-to-month plan. (You'll typically have to pay first and last month's dues up front.) With any chain, expect to pay an initiation or enrollment fee of about $75 to $300 and possibly a one-time processing fee. (24 Hour Fitness charges $80.)
Many clubs now accept payment only via an electronic funds transfer, in which your bank account is automatically debited or your credit card is automatically charged each month. Other clubs offer a discount if you pay that way.
Don't get pressured by a "special." About half the clubs had a special the day our shoppers visited. Curves in several states, for instance, offered our shoppers $50 off the $150 initiation fee and the first month free. It's good to join during a sale, but don't feel rushed for fear that you'll miss the deal. Clubs run promotions all the time. You're especially likely to find sales right after New Year's, when clubs rush to recruit regretful revelers.
Try bargaining. As with so many other services, haggling could earn you a lower rate. When our shopper at a Bally Total Fitness in Boca Raton, Fla., balked at the $150 enrollment fee, the sales rep lowered it to $75, then offered to waive it and lower the monthly charge if the shopper came to a club only three days a week. She hesitated, and he said he'd lower the monthly rate moreto $15, down from the original $42.99 -- if she signed up that day. When the same shopper went to an LA Fitness in Boynton Beach, Fla., and noted the high cost, a manager offered to reduce the registration fee from $149 to $50 and the monthly charge from $45 to $35.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For full access to Ratings and recommendations of appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more, subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.
BACK TO: Consumer Reports: Smart Shopping
