gym memberships-- will they make a deal?

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it may sound unlikely to those that know me, but i'm thinking about joining a gym. i used the pool at the health club near my parents when i was home for the holidays, and really enjoyed it.

locally, there's two options. the pool at highbury corner (which is busy every time i've been there, pretty grotty, and full of kids) and new fancy place near my house. i toured the fancy place yesterday, and it's cheaper than i expected. but i was wondering if they expect you to ask for a better deal, or are receptive to such offers? i'm getting a discount through one of my employers, and the joining fee has been reduced quite a bit, so i don't have any idea if i should even bother.

does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing?

― colette (a2lette), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:33 (twenty-one years ago)

They often do offers in January because they're fighting for resolutionists, but you might have just missed those. I don't see why you shouldn't give it a try though. It's always worth dropping into the conversation that you're checking out a range of places to see which one gives you the best deal.

― Madchen (Madchen), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:38 (twenty-one years ago)

i also found out (by asking around the office) that another gym down the road has a package that's about £10 lower a month. perhaps i'll drop that into the conversation and ask if they'll match it.

the lower joining fee is part of the jan promotion, i think. and i'll also get three sessions with a personal trainer. eek.

― colette (a2lette), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Doing the ' what kind of deal' can you make speech is usually a good one. Also find out if they have any promos etc with yr office, or your family/friends' offices and stuff.

― Jimmy Mod always makes friends with women before bedding them down (ModJ), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:45 (twenty-one years ago)

you might be able to get a better deal if you do it through your company? i.e. if someone in power where you work can get the gym to give a discount to any company staff who want to join. the idea being the gym might get several new members that way and you all save a little. that's how it works here, only i still haven't joined yet.

― Stevem On X (blueski), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:46 (twenty-one years ago)

One other thing they might be able to do you a deal on is whether or not you can take a membership break without having to pay the rejoining fee for going back afterwards. Can be useful if you're travelling or whatever. They should be able to negotiate on that, cos it doesn't cost them anything.

― NickB (NickB), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:49 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, it's already a corporate rate for the council, so that's helped a bit. i think i'll use the other gym's rate as ammo and ask if they can match it. and good tip about the membership break-- i'd thought of that but forgot to ask, will ask again.

― colette (a2lette), Monday, 31 January 2005 16:03 (twenty-one years ago)

There is often a cheaper off peak rate in the day time when everyone is at work, so good if you work strange hours. you have to be out by four usually

― Paul Kelly (kelly), Thursday, 3 February 2005 04:11 (twenty-one years ago)

i came up with a movie plot about assasinating the executives from bally's total fitness once. they've kind of ruined my life with their contract-written-in-blood. but after the underwear thread i went and signed up with 24 hour fitness yesterday... thinking that if there's guys here who post to a message board and have ripped abs there's no excuse really. plus when i was fitter my life was actually better... especially the superficial elements.

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Thursday, 3 February 2005 04:25 (twenty-one years ago)

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