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For us, no.

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.

It would be cheaper for me to buy my own elliptical really, but I have nowhere to put it.

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.

@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?

@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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.)

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.

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!

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.

@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!!!
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.
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.