24 Hour Fitness

[Scrumhalf]

I'm thinking of getting a gym membership. Up to now, I have been working out at the gym at work but my work load has gone up and I don't think I will have time to sneak out during the day and get my workout in. I don't want to hang out at work at the evening just to visit the gym. So, I've been looking at this 24 hour fitness that's a 2 minute walk from my house. I can then work out early in the morning before the kids get out of bed.

Does anyone have any positive or negative experiences with 24 hour fitness? If I get a 3 year membership, I can get the monthly rate down to less than $17/mo, which seems like a reasonable deal.

[dna9488]

My gym is open 24 hours as well. Its very convenient. You can get your workouts in whenever. I also noticed its very clean. Since people are working different shifts, they wipe down everything during each shift.

I have cardio a few times at midnight when i can't sleep. Nothing beats 30min running on the track and than comin home to sleep.

I have a 2 year membership, $40/month

[Shibby]

I'm thinking of getting a gym membership. Up to now, I have been working out at the gym at work but my work load has gone up and I don't think I will have time to sneak out during the day and get my workout in. I don't want to hang out at work at the evening just to visit the gym. So, I've been looking at this 24 hour fitness that's a 2 minute walk from my house. I can then work out early in the morning before the kids get out of bed.

Does anyone have any positive or negative experiences with 24 hour fitness? If I get a 3 year membership, I can get the monthly rate down to less than $17/mo, which seems like a reasonable deal.

What is your enrollment fee? If you know for sure that you are going to be using that gym for then the next 3 years, then the contract is no big deal. Getting out of their contracts takes a serious life change (medical usually) not allowing you to use the gym anymore. They may tell you that if you move out of the area you can cancel your contract, but they will fail to mention that you have to move out of the area of any 24 location of the same ownership. Even then, sometimes the won't let you cancel but will force you to transfer your membership ($$$) or pay the cancellation fee.

As for the gym itself, you should be able to get some sort of trial membership (week(s)/1month). Just test it out the time of day you would normally go and see if it has what you need. See if there are anything other than work out issues you may not like. Make sure any "services" (towels provided, classes you may use...) you get with your trial are also free with your contract. Sometimes they let you try it for free but is an additional cost for members.

Also, even though it has the "24 Hour" name, each location will be different. That goes for any chain or non chain gym though.

I'm sure you will get a free "fitness evaluation". You can use it if you want, but be aware that is when the trainer doing it is suppose to sell you training sessions. (They will try and sell you sessions at sign up too)

[Scrumhalf]

Thanks, Shib! Yeah, I am going to stop by later this weekend to check it out and get a 7-day free trial membership to see how it is. Truth be told, I am leery of signing a long-term contract but we'll see. Also, I think we have some deal through work where the intiiation fees are waived.

[Shibby]

Thanks, Shib! Yeah, I am going to stop by later this weekend to check it out and get a 7-day free trial membership to see how it is. Truth be told, I am leery of signing a long-term contract but we'll see. Also, I think we have some deal through work where the intiiation fees are waived.

Is there any other gyms around? Maybe not in walking distance, but convenient? Obviously the longer contracts get you lower monthly rates. Take a look at the cancellation fee and policy. If there is a minimum amount of months you know you will be using the gym, maybe it is cheaper to sign the longer contract and then cancel if you need to. Especially if the enrollment fees are waived.

[dna9488]

Shibby has very good points.

My gym is non-chain so I move and show them proof of my new residency, depending on how far it is will determine how much money will be knocked off my cancellation fee.

For example, if i moved to California, my cancellation fee should be very low compared to me moving to Virginia or something.

The personal trainers that "access" you suck. Don't go to them, shibby's right, they try to sell you a personal trainer crap.

[Shibby]

Shibby has very good points.

Thanks. It's been a little over 5 years since I've worked at a gym, but before that I worked for a long time in gyms. Many different kinds and a few different positions. The point being, I can at least give a good idea of what something means, what to expect or what's total BS/misleading sales language; or maybe even have the answer.

[Scrumhalf]

Yeah, I don't need any help from any of the trainers there. I just want the equipment to be nice and well maintained and to be left alone - lol.

I'll stop by my neighborhood 24hr Fitness tomorrow and check it out.