https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:33:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2578270 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:26:50 +0000 youboots 2578270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've belonged to 3 gyms over the years and managed to rarely go. It seems so counter intuitive to drive somewhere to work out. I walk 25+ miles a week instead. If it were around the corner it's much more likely I would have gone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2578217 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 07:09:43 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2578217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: hey! Another Minnesota mama :) I was just coming to sing the ymca's praises as well and it makes me curious which YMCA you use!!!<br /> I love our y for the reasons kaykay mentioned. Free childcare, discounted swim lessons, classes, amazing service, pool, splash deck for summer, and tons of great fitness equipment. It's worth it for us with the childcare. I workout about 5x a week and use a lot of equipment, DH as well workouts out 4-5x a week and does only heavy lifting.<br /> It is expensive for us, but it's one of the only things we pay for monthly that is elective and it makes us happy and my son loves to be there too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2578211 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 06:46:53 +0000 Andrea 2578211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My gym membership isn't really worth it if I break it down per session. I live in the suburbs outside of NYC and gym memberships are very pricey. However, it's the highlight of my day when I do get to go. I'm not motivated to work out in-home so a gym membership is a must for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577889 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 15:14:09 +0000 lemondrop 2577889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not helpful for your situation, but our YMCA membership is so worth it. We use it at least 5 days a week- me mainly for the childcare so I can get an hour or two of work done in relative quiet. My husband actually uses it to work out ;) For $90 a month, it's worth every penny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577780 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 13:16:06 +0000 Corduroy 2577780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's all in how much you'll use it. I pay $10/month now and basically I donate to the gym because I never go. I used to pay a ton for CrossFit but I was fit. It was the better value. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577738 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:48:38 +0000 lamariniere 2577738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: all the city pools are further away than I would be willing to go. From my research today, it seems like all the private gyms with pools are priced about the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577721 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:36:50 +0000 PawPrints 2577721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Pilates might be an option. Or, look for a cheaper gym? Like the YMCA perhaps? Or is there a nearby city pool where you could pay a couple bucks per session for lap swim? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577718 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:34:42 +0000 avivoca 2577718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was for me. I cancelled it because I got pregnant and couldn't complete the workouts, but as soon as I get the all-clear from my doctor, I am going back! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577715 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:32:24 +0000 lamariniere 2577715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I get it. I think the "I'm paying money for this" factor would be a big motivator. </p> <p>@PawPrints: see, with my knee injury, I'm kind of limited to the types of workouts I can do. My PT said swimming, the elliptical and biking are the safest options. So no at home high impact aerobic activities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577669 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 11:35:32 +0000 PawPrints 2577669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. For both of us, getting to/from a gym is a pain in the butt to work into our schedules, so even though DH could use a free membership through work to a (ludicrously fancy) gym, he runs around the neighborhood instead. I prefer YouTube workout videos - they are free, I don't have to commute anywhere, I can watch Netflix on the TV while the workout video is on my laptop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577662 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 11:28:58 +0000 Mamaof2 2577662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: not sure what expensive is to you but I paid $140 a month and went 3 times a week - I thought it was super expensive - but you know what? Knowing that I was paying that money I made sure I went as much as I could!</p> <p>There are basic gyms here for $10 a month if honestly I would have been like 'big deal its $10, I don't have to go"</p> <p>If that makes sense.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577657 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 11:25:39 +0000 MrsSCB 2577657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now, I just use the gym in my apartment building that's free. It's very bare bones, though. BUT if I didn't have that, I think I'd probably spend the gym money on classes instead. I prefer that to just working out on the treadmill, elliptical, whatever. Unless the gym has a good schedule of group classes, but I've found when I belonged to gyms in the past, I didn't like their classes as much as the ones at individual studios (whether yoga, spin, etc.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577530 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 09:22:57 +0000 lamariniere 2577530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyann: if I knew I were going that often, it would definitely be worth the price! </p> <p>@runnerd: I used to run, but got a knee injury and can't run anymore. I think that's also part of my hesitation, the fact that I used to just exercise "for free" and since I can't really do that anymore I have a hard time wrapping my head around the cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577470 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 08:13:50 +0000 runnerd 2577470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In your situation I'm going to say it is not worth it for me because I am primarily a runner and do most of my exercise outside (thus I went years without a membership), but I have one now and barely go and it's still worth it. We pay $50/month for both husband and I for a gym with cardio/strength/free group classes plus childcare and tanning (no pool). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577461 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 08:02:56 +0000 lilyann 2577461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I both go to the gym at least 6 times a week. Our kids love our gym as well. It is very expensive but worth it IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577459 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 07:59:49 +0000 KayKay 2577459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd just figure out cost per (expected) use and decide whether that amount of money would increase your happiness more than doing something else with the money :)</p> <p>For me, the gym is totally worth it. It's a Y, and a family membership is $120/month. But you can use the free childcare for 2 hrs/day, and it's actually decent childcare with a big classroom space (for art work, games, and toys), an outside fenced playground, and 2 inside kids gyms with climbing structures. We figured out that even if DH never goes (which he hasn't yet...in almost a year...), and even if I only go 2x a week, it's cheaper than me getting a babysitter (at least $10/hr) and either exercising for free outside or joining a cheaper gym. </p> <p>I don't use it as much in the summer (maybe 1-2x/week), but MN winters are brutal so I up the average during those months. Plus it's nice to have the lap pool, elliptical, and classes as options besides just running. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577453 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 07:53:12 +0000 LulaBee 2577453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Self-care is so important, I would say join.</p> <p>I don't belong to a gym but have been making time for myself on my lunch break to do workouts in a room at work, and I feel so much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577422 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 07:08:07 +0000 bushelandapeck 2577422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We belong to our local Y and I love it. I do a lot of the classes though, and I use the childcare so it is totally worth it to us. The monthly cost for our family is somewhat high, but I do get a discount through my work and we get a great discount on the kids classes and swim lessons so we feel it's worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577418 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 07:00:30 +0000 BrandNewMom 2577418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My gym is my favorite thing. They offer two hours of Montessori style child care a day, which includes classes like dance, yoga, tumbling, sports skills, martial arts, etc.<br /> While she's (as she says) "playing with friends", I do a mix of swimming, spin classes, running, and heavy lifting.<br /> When I pick her up, we go to the two kid pools together.<br /> It's worth every single penny! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577416 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:57:52 +0000 MrsSRS 2577416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Good luck. I think I would call the university. That seems like a great idea. And if that's a no go I would look at my budget to see if it's practical to go for the pricy but convenient pool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577414 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:55:24 +0000 lamariniere 2577414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I hadn't thought of that. We do live near the university, but a google search isn't pulling up much. I can see they have swimming classes/water aerobics, but I can't figure out which pool they are using where it is located.</p> <p>@MrsSRS: that's awesome that your Y offers childcare! I would go when my LOs are in daycare, so I wouldn't have to worry about that so much. I did ask about swimming lessons and they have them for an extra fee, but it's somewhat reasonable. They didn't have a trial option. It seems like all or nothing. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577408 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:48:52 +0000 MrsSRS 2577408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: That's such a hard call. My life has really improved since I started prioritizing working out, but we are on a really tight budget so I have a hard time swallowing even our lower membership price. For us it's worth it because sending the LOs to their great nursery is good for them and me and I can't workout without childcare. And we get good prices on swim lessons, etc, so there are other benefits to membership. It's hard to beat a close location. Maybe ask if they have a trial option? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577405 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:43:55 +0000 looch 2577405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Yeah, I completely understand. What's the cost per use if you go three times a week? </p> <p>What about a university? Is there one near you, maybe it has a sports complex that you can access? I used to swim at the local pool, it had both indoor and outdoor pools, but this was in the 'burbs. I paid as I went and could buy a 10 pass.</p> <p>eta: seems like you've already explored the local pool option! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577404 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:42:43 +0000 lamariniere 2577404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: there isn't anything like a Y here that would have a pool. The only thing I have found are private gyms. All the public pools are at least a 25 min ride on public transit, and I know myself, I wouldn't go if I had to do that every time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577402 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:34:48 +0000 lamariniere 2577402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I'm pretty good about going when I'm paying for a service, but it just seems like SOOOO much money, especially since the contract for the cheapest rate is 24 months. I really enjoy swimming, so it doesn't feel like work to me...but the price...eeps!</p> <p>We don't have room for any kind of equipment.</p> <p>The only place we could put a piece of equipment is in the master bedroom, and that's just not going to be a reality. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577400 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:33:08 +0000 MrsSRS 2577400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We joined our local Y so it is cheaper and it's totally worth it for me, because I wouldn't exercise as consistently in my own house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577399 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:29:10 +0000 looch 2577399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Hrm, I mean, if you're going to actually go, then I think it makes sense, but for me, I know myself. I get all excited for the first two months, then I fizzle out.</p> <p>Is there any way you can get one piece of equipment into your apartment? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577396 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:26:43 +0000 lamariniere 2577396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I'm jealous of your pool! I can get a company discount through my DH, but it's a whopping €10 less per month than the regular price. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577394 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:24:51 +0000 looch 2577394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha, no! I have a spinning bike in the playroom and a pool in my backyard though.</p> <p>The only way the gym works out for me is to belong to the company subsidized one. $40 a month or so for very basic services, but the one here closed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-gym-membership-worth-it#post-2577392 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:20:29 +0000 ValentineMommy 2577392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For us, no.</p> <p>Basically the same situation as you...the closest gym is really nice, and has a pool. But like you, I would only use the elliptical and pool, and wouldn't be able to get there enough to make it worth it.</p> <p>It would be cheaper for me to buy my own elliptical really, but I have nowhere to put it. :( </p>