Tips for Joining a Gym – Get the Most for the Fitness Dollar

How to Keep From Wasting a Gym Membership

Joining a gym is a big decision and a large investment of money, but many people will purchase a membership only to drop it just a few months down the road. Find tips for getting connected, motivated, and enjoying results from a membership at a gym in order to make the most of the investment.

Get the Latest Information on the Hours


Find out the gym hours and ask about scheduled closings as well. For example, a swim team may have meets in the pool or the group exercise room might be scheduled to be closed when the floor is refinished. Some facilities may have affiliates that members may be able to visit for free if one facility is closed for seasonal cleaning.

Gyms may have an altered schedule during holidays or may close due to weather conditions, so it can be helpful to ask about those policies ahead of time to avoid driving to the gym only to be disappointed because it is closed.

Decide on a Schedule

Pick up a schedule of classes and/or sports leagues or find out if that information is regularly updated on the gym's web site. They may post current information such about schedules through social media as well. It helps to choose a schedule that is convenient with one's own lifestyle and time needs.

Many people tend to flock to branded classes, but other classes may also have excellent instructors with more space for exercising. Some exercise classes may require special equipment and/or fees, be open only to certain groups, or require early sign-up, so make sure you know requirements for classes you plan to attend.

Keep in mind that instructors may teach different classes in a different manner and two instructors may teach a class in very different ways. It also helps to have a secondary plan for exercising in case an unexpected cancellation occurs and to be willing to try new classes and/or instructors.

You might ask about when the gym tends to be less busy if you have a flexible schedule and prefer to stay out of crowds. As a general rule of thumb, gyms that offer childcare are often less crowded when the childcare area is closed. Those who like to work out solo or with a buddy will find that it helps to create a schedule for exercising on a regular basis.

Tour the Gym to Get Your Money's Worth

Take a Tour of the Gym Facility

Even if you only have plans to use a single area of the gym, it helps to get a tour so that you are aware of the layout of the gym and all exercise areas and equipment. Sometimes seeing additional areas might encourage one to try something new.

Knowing the location of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, AEDs, and emergency procedures might be something one would never expect to use, but could potentially save a life. It also helps to know where hand sanitizer, bathroom facilities, childcare areas, lockers, etc. are located.

Learn to Safely Use the Equipment

Many gyms offer information on how to safely use equipment, and this can help one to avoid injury. Getting hurt and acquiring medical bills due to a preventable injury can certainly put a damper on a fitness program. Always check with a healthcare provider before starting or changing any fitness routine.

Computerized equipment is available at some gyms that can help members to track their progress, remind them of settings on weight lifting equipment, or provide feedback regarding technique or the overall fitness routine. If a gym offers initial free personal training or the opportunity to talk with a fitness coach, this can be a great opportunity to develop an individualized routine that suits one's own fitness needs.

Discover Incentives and the Social Aspect

Most people get discouraged or bored with a fitness routine at some point. Some gyms will offer incentives in order to keep people motivated or may offer fresh ideas for cross-training. People who are goal-oriented or even a bit competitive may particularly enjoy a fitness challenge. Modest tweaks to a fitness routine might provide much greater results.

Some people particularly enjoy the social aspect of a gym and may find it helpful to develop a network of friends who regularly meet to exercise. Developing new friendships may be time well invested, particularly if those people can serve as a sort of support group or accountability partner.

Make Fitness Worth the Investment

Get the Most for the Money at the Gym

Some people may purchase a gym membership only to discover that they rarely ever use the facility. Becoming familiar with the facility and equipment and developing a fitness plan that is convenient and individualized to meet one's needs may help ensure that the gym membership turns into a wise investment. Making a few good friends along the way can be the icing on the fat-free cake!

How to Get a Free Gym Membership or Reduced Rates

How to Get Freebies at the Gym - Weight room photo by Nightscream at Wikimedia Commons.

Many people may find it difficult to afford a gym membership, especially in a tough economy. Learn more about ways to save money on a gym membership or perhaps even find a gym freebie.

Free Gym Memberships for Seniors

Insurance companies benefit from clients who stay physically active and maintain healthier lifestyles, and several of these companies are willing to pay the bill for a gym membership. One such program geared toward seniors is called SilverSneakers, and readers may wish to search which insurance companies offer this program in one's own area at this SilverSneakers web page.

So, what's the catch? If you receive a free gym membership, you will be expected to go to the gym a minimum number of times per month, but this requirement is very reasonable. Many gyms, senior centers, and other areas offer SilverSneakers group exercise classes that are led by instructors who have been trained about some of the special needs of seniors and how to modify exercises if needed.

Classes are optional and not required for the free membership, and anyone who is a member of that facility may attend SilverSneakers classes. I teach SilverSneakers exercise classes at a nearby gym, and the training I received was top notch and I have personally witnessed many seniors who have gotten great benefits from these classes.

Water exercise photo by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Martin R. Harris at Wikimedia Commons

Free Gym Memberships for Those With Special & Financial Needs
People with physical or cognitive disabilities may qualify for free or reduced rates at a gym. Caregivers may be admitted free when accompanying him or her. Special groups, such as veterans, might also be offered reduced or free rates on special dates or for a membership.

Gyms may offer financial assistance for those who qualify. Many people think they probably make too much money to qualify when in fact they might. After filling out an application, the person may be offered discounts on a membership and other services such as before and after school childcare programs.

Barter for a Free Gym Membership

People who can offer a good or service to a gym may be able to barter for a free membership and perhaps a freebie for immediate family members as well. People who can teach group exercise, have lifeguard training, are experienced in childcare, are willing to work on landscaping, or can run the front desk, for example, may be able to make money in addition to that free membership. Benefits offered may vary depending on the size and needs of the facility and the type and amount of goods or services offered.

Indoor track photo by ScotStadium at Wikimedia Commons.

Special Offers at Gyms

Employers, like insurance companies, may be willing to offer to cover the cost or part of the cost of a gym membership. This information might be found by checking with Human Resources or may be in an employee handbook. Some employers also offer workout rooms within the facility or exercise classes on site. Employees who enjoy these programs should attend classes, for example, regularly because they might be cancelled if numbers dwindle.

Some gyms offer reciprocal privileges. For example, many Ys offer the A.W.A.Y. program, in which members are "always welcome at the Y." If a Y member travels to another area, he may be able to use Y facilities for free or at a reduced rate for a certain number of times or during a particular period of time.

A gym with an indoor track or gym may offer a walking program in which people in the community can come in and walk for free or at a reduced rate. Gyms with joining fees may offer specials during certain times of the year in which the joining fee is waived or reduced.

Those who already have a gym membership may find that they can get a free month's membership if they refer someone to the facility. Incentives, such as a free month's membership, may be offered for winning fitness challenges at the facility.

Free or Reduced Rates at the Gym

Fitness is an investment that often reaps great benefits, but the membership fees may be a heavy burden on someone who has a tight budget. With a bit of searching and perhaps some bartering, many people can enjoy a membership for a gym at reduced or free rates.

Additional Articles:

• Cemetery Walking – Free Fitness Opportunity
• How to Save Money on a Gluten-free Diet
• Words of Encouragement for People who Struggle with Weight

Check out the Fit Tips 4 Life site map for more of my fitness-related articles!