I want to remain grounded... $$ related

[moneymom]

I have been actively making changes to our finances lately, mostly with reallocating savings and focusing more on retirement.  Yesterday I did a lot of thinking about our spending.  We actually don't spend all that much but there are definitely places to cut back.  For example, I was about to buy a new couch and rug recently but then realized yesterday I should invest in cleaning up what we have and see if it can last another few years.  Anywho, I realized that I need to focus on what really matters.  What really matters?  Health, first and foremost.  I have been avoiding the doctor at all costs just to save the money.  I have been having a bunch of symptoms and should really be getting checked out.  Damn you high deductible.  I also have gained weight and just feel like crap.  DH has gained a lot also and is eating worse.  So I want to eat out less which will save us a little but not all that much.  And I want to spend more on doctors (making appoint today) and here's the bigger - have our family join a nice gym!!!  DH and I could get off the couch and back in better shape and DD would enjoy it too and it's something new to keep her busy.  

Here's what I want to know from you all?  Would I still be "grounded" if I considered spending $200 for a family gym membership??  Am I fooling myself?  I convinced myself it's an investment in our health and that overall it could save us from medical costs.  I realize we could do free stuff like go walking but the reality is, we don't.  Weather plays a factor sometimes and for me, safety being out in the dark, etc.  So YM, what do you think?  Nice gym membership or no?

[Deleted]

$200/month or year? 

[justme]

If it's a month you're friggin crazy. Unless, maybe, you make like 20,000 a month.

Go with a cheap gym first (like planet fitness) IF you consistently use it, maybe think of upgrading.

[siralynn]

DH and I spend about $8000/year on gym membership and personal training. It's expensive, but we can afford it. DH is going on about 2 years of consistent working out now and I'm at about 1.5 years (I joined later because I was hugely pregnant at the time he originally joined.)

The keys for us keeping it up have been 1) the gym is one block from our house so we can walk there in literally 2 min, 2) making the commitment to make time for each other to attend classes (we have a toddler so can't work out at the same time), and 3) paying for the training - though ridiculously expensive ($70/hr), it really helps keep us motivated.

We both feel pretty good and it's a positive lifestyle change that I hope we can keep up. It's become such a part of our routine that we're actually decided not to look into selling our house even though we could use more space (and probably afford something bigger). I'm afraid if we move even a little bit away where we have to get into a car to go the gym - it'll never happen.

[mollyanna58]

Try going for a brisk walk as a family every evening. If you keep it up for a few weeks, then either you won't need a gym so much, or you'll know you can keep up the commitment to exercise before you commit to spending $200.00. 

[swasat]

Don't you live somewhere around LA, California??

Outdoors, trekking, swimming, parks etc. You should have all these available to you for exercising, topped by good weather all year round.

$200/month for gym?? Is it gold plated?

Because I have a membership to a fancy pants gym and it costs nowhere $200/month. I pay $60/month. Granted I live in the midwest, but still $200/month is freaking crazy to spend on gym membership when you are trying to avoid spending on the doctor.

Start with the outdoors and free activities first. Then you can join a gym later if you still feel the need.

[NancysSummerSip]

Depends on your level of commitment.

Any amount of money is too much, if you are not going to commit to a lifestyle change, not merely a change of habit. Working out at the gym is a good start, but spending the money won't ensure that you will do it. An emotional and intellectual commitment to changing how you live your life will.

I work out every day. Some days very intensely. Other days less so. But it's every day. My commitment is there because my motivation is avoiding the horrible and avoidable deaths my parents had. No amount of money would alter my level of commitment either way. I eat out as part of my job (I'm a food writer) but not everyday, and not on a whim. When I go out, I plan for it. Otherwise, meals are home or taken to work from home. When I go to a friend's for a party or dinner, I offer to bring a dish, or plan my day so that I can eat there and not overdo it.

And avoiding the doctor to save money is not saving money in the long run. You still have to have certain tests done, especially as you get older. Mammograms, colonoscopies, prostate and PSA tests, PAP tests, blood work (for cholesterol and triglyceride and blood sugar levels), stress tests, bone density scans. This stuff saves your life. Sure, there's a price to pay. But you schedule them annually, or every few years, and you put the money aside (I use an HSA account for this). And when you have symptoms that you cannot track down that last for a few days, get them checked out. Most times, it's nothing. Sometimes, it isn't. But many times, it's treatable.

[Ombud]

Some people like gyms. Personal I'd rather be outside walking or cycling. But if you're concerned about the weather, a gym is often cheaper than the medical problems caused by inactivity

[Deleted]

Feb 2, 2015 11:30:27 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Some people like gyms. Personal I'd rather be outside walking or cycling. But if you're concerned about the weather, a gym is often cheaper than the medical problems caused by inactivity

you also can't take classses (yoga, zumba, etc.) just being outside.  and if the gym has a pool, you can use it year round.

[dancinmama]

Gyms love people who decide they're going to change their lives, get in shape and join only to use it for a very short period of time and then stop going.

I'd go with free, outdoor exercise (if you're in an area where the weather would permit it) like brisk walking before joining a gym.

IF you're bound and determined to join one, call around and see if any are offering an introductory rate (and no contract) so that you can try it out without committing a lot of money OOP up front. 

[Deleted]

$200/month is a lot of money for a gym.  I have a single parent family membership to the Y and it's $40/month (my work pays 25% of that), and regular family is $75/month.  They have two pools, two gyms, indoor track, weight room and all the treadmills and ellipticals and such. What does all that buy you?

[muttleynfelix]

You don't need a gym - if you are on pinterest search for at home workouts.  Free, easy, quick and they work (if you do them).  

[alinal]

I agree with the others, DO NOT join a gym until you make exercise a habit.

I made daily exercise a habit 10 years ago, but have only been a member of a gym for the last 3 years. I knew that I would use the membership consistently because of my habits, so it wasn't a waste of money.

Start out with building lower-cost exercise into your day. If you are in a nice climate, start walking or jogging everyday. If you're not, do exercise videos indoors. That's how I started. You can buy a few inexpensively, or rent through Netflix, watch online, or find a fitness TV channel. Maybe find a free exercise plan online. Just don't waste a lot of money until you are actually committed to making a change.

Oh, and check out "The Power of Habit" from your local library for some inspiration.

[Cookies Galore]

Does the gym offer a try out pass? See how much you use it in a week and if all the bells and whistles this particular gym offers is worth it.
I have a free gym at work so I use that and hubs spends $20/month on a limited membership at his gym (equipment only); in March he's upping to a full membership so he can use their pool (triathlon training).
I MUCH prefer running outside than working out in a gym, so I'm happy I have free use of a gym because I could not justify a gym membership for me personally. Even now I'll workout at home over the gym. I run outside Saturdays and Sundays during the winter, no matter the weather. I have gortex sneakers so snow and rain aren't excuses anymore.

Spending money is a big motivator, though. If I sign up for a race i HAVE to do it. I hate wasting money, as most people do.

I always recommend blogilates.com to people. She has a lot of great (free!) workouts. There are also good videos for free on you tube.

[Tiny]

I realize we could do free stuff like go walking but the reality is, we don't. Weather plays a factor sometimes and for me, safety being out in the dark, etc. So YM, what do you think? Nice gym membership or no?

How committed are you?  Are you really willing to pack a gym bag (do you even have a gym bag? and clothes? and shower slippers etc) get in your car and DRIVE to the gym?   Will you be getting up extra early to go?  How much will this add to your 'morning commute"?    Or will you be stopping after work?  How much later will you be getting home at night?  Will you really do this?
 
I find the 'time required' to get to the 'gym' prohibitive.   I do much getting a good solid brisk walk in every day (adds only 30 to 40 minutes to my 'routine' weather it's in the morning or the evening) - versus the extra hour and half I'd have to commit to if I added in a gym stop OR used the gym at the office.

If you do get a gym membership OR even decide to get in a brisk walk every day - what are you going to give up time wise?   TV time?  Sleep?  How are you going to have to re-arrange your schedule to fit it in?  (Ok, I'm all about 'time' - I don't have enough of it.  So, for me 'being healthy' - menu planning, prepping food, getting excercise sucks up alot of hours each week - or about an hour/hour and a half a day and then additional hours on the weekend (food prep etc.)   What are you currently doing with your time that you're willing to fore go to 'get healthy'??

[Lizard Queen]

My public school offers exercise classes to the general public for very cheap.  If you have some of those available to you, it's a good way to ease into exercising and getting into the habit without signing a contract for a pricey gym.  DH and I actually did a 6 week long ballroom dance class together through this program before our wedding.  I've done yoga, pilates & zumba on my own.  They also offer straight aerobics with free weights.

[Happy prose]

Don't join. Big waste of money. You can do it all at home. If it's classes you like, you can get them free on demand from your cable tv. If you don't have weights, push ups, lunges, squats, etc are better for you anyway. Good luck!

[swasat]

If you are just getting started on exercising, a gym is not a goond bang for the buck.

Develop an interest in exercising first, retain that interest for a few months and then re-think joing a gym.

[travelnut11]

Getting in shape is a great idea but if your focus is really on weight loss then I'd table the gym for now and focus on your diet.  They say 80% of weight loss is diet and 20% is working out.  Which isn't to say that working out isn't beneficial in other ways (strength, mental health, bone density, etc.) but if you're honest with yourself and weight loss is your motivation I'd start by making small diet changes and introduce them gradually plus maybe add a family walk or something.  If you try to do too much (eg. gym and food) at the same time you'll give up. 

[gooddecisions]

I love my gym membership and won't let it go, but no way would I pay $200/month for a family membership. There are ones around here that charge that much but the Y is $80/month for a family and is also very nice. As far as the kids go, I like it for the pool. They are too little for almost everything else.

Check out your county's parks and rec guide. Mine offers a lot of fun exercise classes, hikes and exploration activities. If I didn't have a full-time job, I'd sign up for everything.

[souldoubt]

I agree with what others have said.  Gym's make a lot of their money due to New Years resolutions (if you are a member you notice an uptick in attendees after the 1st and by the end of January it seems like 95% of those people are MIA) and people who decide they want to make a major lifestyle change but have yet to take the necessary first steps.  The first steps don't involve signing up for a gym rather it's eating healthy and moving more.  My mom lost 100lbs at one point by simply making it a point to walk more whether it was during a break at work or after work and most importantly by eating right.  Eventually she started going to the gym as we had 24 hour passes for years but the first steps in her journey weren't getting to the gym.

[swamp]

Do you have a Wii?

Play the Dance games. That will get you moving. And it's fun.

Go for a walk.

Shovel snow. Do yardwork.   Look for some home workouts on Youtube. Check out Fitness Blender.com.

There is a ton of stuff you can do for free.

[milee]

Feb 2, 2015 11:07:43 GMT -5 moneymom said:

Would I still be "grounded" if I considered spending $200 for a family gym membership??  Am I fooling myself?  I convinced myself it's an investment in our health and that overall it could save us from medical costs.  

No idea what the definition of "grounded" is, so don't know how to answer that one. 

Are you fooling yourself in thinking that you can justify a $200 gym membership because of the direct offset of decreased medical costs?  Probably, yes.  I'm a huge believer in eating healthy and being active, but unless you are living way outside the realm of normal eating/sloth, you're unlikely to save $2400 a year on medical costs.  If the only goal is to decrease expense, there have been some great ideas already posted.

That said, I've belonged to and really enjoyed $200 a month gyms and don't necessarily think it's a waste if you can afford it.  You mention that your daughter will enjoy it - isn't she 3?  I ask because most of the less expensive gyms don't have anything younger kids can participate in yet the luxe ones sometimes do.  Also, if the extra cleanliness or cushiness or convenience or whatever is enough to keep you motivated until you develop a habit, then it might be money well spent (again, depending on your budget and if you can afford it, but not because that saves you $2400 a year on medical costs.)

Before you go this route, though, maybe take a little time to figure out why you're not working out right now.  Is it time? Convenience?  Trouble keeping motivated?  What?  If you can figure out the honest answer, then you have a better shot at spending your money wisely.  For example, if you have trouble keeping motivated even spending $200 a month isn't likely to be enough to get you off the couch if it's just a nice gym.  You might be better off spending that $200 on a few regular sessions with a trainer who comes, helps you develop a plan you can work at home and then keeps checking up on you.  Or joining a small, personalized program where people will know you by name and call you out if you're not there.

[HoneyBBQ]

Feb 2, 2015 11:34:04 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

$200/month is a lot of money for a gym.  I have a single parent family membership to the Y and it's $40/month (my work pays 25% of that), and regular family is $75/month.  They have two pools, two gyms, indoor track, weight room and all the treadmills and ellipticals and such. What does all that buy you?

My YMCA is 80/month just for me.

I joined the YMCA strictly for access to a pool for triathalon training... too bad I haven't done one yet!

[Regis]

Download the You Are Your Own Gym app for $2.99.

[HoneyBBQ]

If you can shave $200 off your food costs because you are eating too much and divert it to the gym costs that you'll actually use... I consider that a win.

[moneymom]

Feb 2, 2015 11:34:04 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

$200/month is a lot of money for a gym.  I have a single parent family membership to the Y and it's $40/month (my work pays 25% of that), and regular family is $75/month.  They have two pools, two gyms, indoor track, weight room and all the treadmills and ellipticals and such. What does all that buy you?

I already got the tour and pricing of our YMCA.  For DH, I and DD it runs $105 a month.  Our area must be much higher than norm.  I was looking at another gym where DD could take swim classes and play in the kids club, while DH and I workout and also there is a really good spa area, which is important to DH.  This gym is the type of place that would serve as our entertainment.  The outdoor pool is really important to us.  The main gym I am thinking of is not quite $200 but I estimated on the high side.  It is in the higher $100's though. 

I have a feeling this won't happen   I just think people could easily drop $200 extra a month on eating out that investing that $200 on a gym is obviously healthier.  I've been a member of place like planet fitness and that won't really work for what I was looking for (classes for DD, spa to relax, outdoor pool for summer, etc).  

Of course not joining a gym doesn't mean I won't start trying to get healthier. 

[moneymom]

Feb 2, 2015 11:46:09 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I realize we could do free stuff like go walking but the reality is, we don't. Weather plays a factor sometimes and for me, safety being out in the dark, etc. So YM, what do you think? Nice gym membership or no?

How committed are you?  Are you really willing to pack a gym bag (do you even have a gym bag? and clothes? and shower slippers etc) get in your car and DRIVE to the gym?   Will you be getting up extra early to go?  How much will this add to your 'morning commute"?    Or will you be stopping after work?  How much later will you be getting home at night?  Will you really do this?
 
I find the 'time required' to get to the 'gym' prohibitive.   I do much getting a good solid brisk walk in every day (adds only 30 to 40 minutes to my 'routine' weather it's in the morning or the evening) - versus the extra hour and half I'd have to commit to if I added in a gym stop OR used the gym at the office.

If you do get a gym membership OR even decide to get in a brisk walk every day - what are you going to give up time wise?   TV time?  Sleep?  How are you going to have to re-arrange your schedule to fit it in?  (Ok, I'm all about 'time' - I don't have enough of it.  So, for me 'being healthy' - menu planning, prepping food, getting excercise sucks up alot of hours each week - or about an hour/hour and a half a day and then additional hours on the weekend (food prep etc.)   What are you currently doing with your time that you're willing to fore go to 'get healthy'??

I'm a SAHM.  Don't know if that hurts me or helps me here    I volunteer a ton but could cut back if needed.  Also, my main goal here is to make this a family thing.  DH is on board but not necessarily with the cost LOL.  DD would LOVE it.  Instead of spending 2 hours to go out to dinner, we could hit the gym. I think we are just in a rut. 

DH already goes to a gym consistently, free at work.  However it's just a tiny bit of equipment.  He loves pools and jacuzzi's and doesn't have that option.  I was a member of a gym up until approx 6 months ago.. it was a planet fitness type place and I consistently went however that is not what I'm looking for here.  I want more of a source of entertainment, us going as a family a lot, DD getting her classes there and just truly enjoying getting healthy.  The gym I'm looking at now I was a member of when I was a child for year or so and I have so many good memories.

[Deleted]

Did you check with they Y by you on childcare?  Ours provides up to 2 hours a day free childcare with a family membership. 

[Deleted]

Feb 2, 2015 12:34:06 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Feb 2, 2015 11:34:04 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

$200/month is a lot of money for a gym.  I have a single parent family membership to the Y and it's $40/month (my work pays 25% of that), and regular family is $75/month.  They have two pools, two gyms, indoor track, weight room and all the treadmills and ellipticals and such. What does all that buy you?

My YMCA is 80/month just for me.

I joined the YMCA strictly for access to a pool for triathalon training... too bad I haven't done one yet!

I thought ours was spendy.   

I only joined to get reduced costs on the kid stuff and older son needed it to be on swim team.  I don't use it for anything for myself.  They also do free childcare on no school days, which covers a lot of the cost and is a lifesaver when the no school days are unexpected (snow days).