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Friday, July 29, 2011

Working It Out

So, I had another less than pleasant trip to the nutritionist where ONCE AGAIN I hadn't lost any weight. She tried to silver lining it for me by saying it was good I hadn't gained weight, but it was still beyond frustrating to know that since JANUARY I haven't really maintained a weight loss of more than 2 pounds.

I got depressed and when I get depressed, the only way for me to get out of it is to control my life in some way. So I sat and looked at my options and decided the best thing for me was to join a gym.

I've been working out largely to On Demand Comcast workout videos and walking with the pup. In the past, I've had good luck with gyms. I just haven't belonged to one in awhile because a) they're expensive and b) they require time commitments longer than my marriage.

My neighbor and former daycare lady (yeah, remind me to tell you the story of the new daycare dilemma) works out at one of those 24-hour gyms down the street. Most importantly, she sees a person trainer there she loves. I decided this was the way to go. A personal trainer would NOT let me cheat, and while it would be an expense, it would be worth it to get these last 10 pounds out of the way.

I downloaded a two-week pass. I knew exactly how this would go. And I was right on.

You bring in the pass. A very aggressive, very jacked dude asks you about how committed you REALLY are to fitness. He shows you around the club, he highlights the awesomeness of the facility, and then he tells you he has this awesome deal for you if you will only trade in your two-week pass for a membership.

You guys? I told everyone near me that I was NOT going to fall for it. I was going to use my two-week pass and take my time to make the right decision.

But then the guy told me it's only $30 a month for this gym and I get a free personal training session. And I also get 10% off with a company discount.

I figured I couldn't beat that, until I signed the contract and realized it was for 18 months. I balked. The monthly cost would go up significantly if I did anything less than 18 months. But suddenly I became the 16-year-old dude who needs space.

I mean, I like you. I just don't know if I like you that way.

But I felt pressured and signed. And immediately regretted it.

Have you guys experienced this kind of buyer's remorse? Where you're frantically looking through the loophole in the contract?

In my case, the loophole was I had three days to cancel.

I went back to my research and did another calculation and realized that if I bought a membership to the Community Center, it would be about half the cost. In fact, if I bought a family membership, it was still $100 less than this would be.

So I decided I'd do a test workout at the Community Center and do a pro/con list when I was done.

I present to you, my pro/con list. Also known as "Did I seriously choose the more expensive gym because it has ESPN?"




So I talked it over with Scott and he broke it down for me. Where would I actually go? Which gym would really motivate me to show up? Because even if it's cheaper for a year, if I have trouble parking and get frustrated and can't do the workout I want to because of the crowds, is it worth it?

So I didn't exercise (pun intended) my three-day out option and have been working out quite a bit at the new gym. I'm going to pull the trigger on the personal trainer soon and see if that's something I want to add on for a bit.

Have you experienced buyer's remorse? Do you belong to a gym? Do you actually go? Do you make pro/con lists for things?

11 comments:

Mads said...

I bought a gym membership from Costco without actually seeing the gym because it was Such A Good Deal. Now I totally regret it because the gym sucks.
I mean, the place isn't even air conditioned and only 1/2 the machines are in working properly.
I have gone once and haven't been pumped enough to go back :(

JoAnna said...

Good for you. I think you will work out more at the gym because it feels like a gym. The community center feels to recreational!

KLZ said...

I can't stand even walking into gyms because of the sales pitch. I want to be able to cancel at any time. CANCEL AT ANY TIME I tell you.

Sorry for the yelling.

Just One Donna said...

Good for you. Gym memberships are great if you go. I belong to a gym and have fallen into a slump. I have gone in months, but I am still paying. I'm hoping I'll go...tomorrow.

Aleta said...

I've had two experiences with gyms.

1) When I was with my ex. He wanted the Gold's Gym membership. It's all weights, very masculine, BIG OPEN space. We signed a 2 year contract. I was fortunate in that when we separated and I moved, there was no Gold's Gym where I moved to, so they HAD to cancel my membership.

2) The Gym where I'm at now. I go to it. Not as often as I should, but I do go. I like it. And it has a month to month contract - even better. It's small. Nothing fancy. I don't need a lot of fancy stuff. I like the small community and that people of various sizes AND ages attend. Makes me feel more comfortable to go.

So true... no matter WHAT is offered... go where you FEEL good. Because that matters a heck of a lot more.

Amanda @ It's Blogworthy said...

Excuse me, but do you actually live here and go to the same gym we had a pass for?

Cause this was my experience, too. Two week pass? Check. Aggro salesperson? Check. 18 mo commitment? Check. Except for two people with the discount my company gives, it was almost $100 a month.

There is a gym beside my office that is new and has a 20 a month membership but you have to go like 10 times per mo to get it. I don't like to be threatened, so I don't go to that.

I have a treadmill....does that count?

Ms. Ro Chelle said...

I joined a gym once. Back before kids. When I could go when it was convenient for me. Now? I happily workout in my basement on my elliptical or treadmill. High pressure and contracts wear me out.

Mimi said...

I am actually in the process of weighing the same options. I am training for a half marathon. When the weather gets colder I know I am going to need a treadmill. The community center is $50 for the year but there are only 2 machines versus the $30/month gym where I get the machines and an indoor track and classes and the pool..Awww typing this out, I guess I am going to go with the gym. Thanks!

An Island Mom said...

I did a one month trial membership in Chicago when my first child was a year old to see if I would really stick with it. At the end, I concluded I wouldn't use it enough to make in worth it. For the last 8 years, I've been doing DVDs with a little running mixed in, but I'm become less motivated of late, so I have thought again a little about doing a gym, especially since they've gone down in price so much at this time and since I now live on a small island instead of right outside a major city.

Unknown said...

woo hoo! High five girl! joining a gym and working out! I don't go to a gym but have always wanted to..maybe this winter I will..I have always been eyeing Golds gym for there daycare and swimming pools {I love lap swimming!} and I am always making pro and con lists :)

Kat said...

We have a gym that's like 1/4 mile from our house. I was totally ready to join-up and then I realized that I'm a solitary-'ciser and the very thought of driving or walking there drove all visions of actual fitness out of my head.

On a non-fitness-y note, I usually end up second-guessing myself before I buy a new handbag. Because it's a lot of money, and like, how will I ever know if I'm going to use it enough?