My new year's resolution was to quit the gym (and it's $55/month membership fee), and do exercise I actually enjoy. In the winter that was a bit trickier, but I did yoga at home with some rented DVDs and DVRd shows, and dropped in on a couple dance and Zumba classes around the city. Now that it's warmer, I can kayak, ride my bike, take longer walks at lunch time, and take advantage of free outdoor classes provided by the park district.
Nope. I belong to a running club (costs £30 a year) and they give me access to the changing and showering facilities at a university gym. I once belonged to the YMCA in Oklahoma City and it gave me access to any Y in the OKC area, which was a bargain at the time. When I moved to Salt Lake City, I belonged to a community gym for which my property taxes helped pay and maintain. It had virtually every sport opportunity I could imagine wanting at the time. Both that gym and the Y were reasonably priced. Nothing I've found up here in Newcastle upon Tyne England is remotely reasonable.
We used to have a family membership at our local YMCA. We didn't use it much over the year that we had it so when it was time to sign up for another year, we decided not to. There is part of me that likes the gym once I get there but getting there is the hard part.
Listen, I understand completely that people fall on hard times--I was one of those people last year, who went through a very tough time, but my husband and I buckled down, pulled back spending in a very serious way, and got through it, without the help of the gov't.
For me, it's a moral thing--I don't believe the US gov't should be shelling out money to people who are defaulting on their homes. That is why the USA is in such financial dire straights. It's not working, and these programs need to be shut down. $1 Billion for these programs? No wonder this country's $14 Trillion in debt!!!!! That's my point. It's unfair for those, like my husband and I, who made hard choices and saw ourselves through a very bad financial spot, and came out on the other side better than before.
No gym membership for me! I exercise the hillbilly way. I walk a lot, garden, push a reel type mower around my yard, and dripped sweat while foraging blackberries the other day. It takes a bit of hand/eye coordination to get the berries without getting the stickers too.
On a regular basis, most gyms are too crowded for me. Gym owners oversell for the available space because they know most people will stop showing up after a few sessions. The local YWCA is just as bad. I pay for yoga classes at a local studio - on a per class basis. Exercise is important, and a scheduled class is a great way to make time for exercise in your life.
A friend of mine has owned her house for over 25 years and the down economy has her at a loss for work in the last year and half. She did not buy a house she couldn't afford nor made bad decisions on money or had a balloon payment. She does not have unrealistic mortgage. She just needs help to ride out this spell and get back on her feet. People like her is likely what this program is intended for. I guess right away people think of the house owners that got their house in a time when loans were given out to people unlikely to qualify for loans otherwise. Too bad.
My husband and I pay for memberships at Planet Fitness ($10/month each) - we don't have room for a treadmill in our house and there are plenty of days during the long Maine winter when you can't run outdoors!
My employer has a relationship with a large university down the street that enables employees to get discounted memberships. Much cheaper than the YMCA or any other gym in my area. I've been a member for about a year and absolutely love it! I would recommend that others investigate whether or not any of the colleges and universities in their area allow community members to sign up. Could be a big savings!
I pay for a gym membership because it's more convenient and I'm more likely to work out harder and more regularly if I'm paying for it. I also use the sauna and jacuzzi after every work out. Another incentive to keep at it.
I do pay for a gym membership. I didn't for years but my cholesterol and health suffered. The membership is what encourages me to keep working out, and working out hard. I use the gym five times a week and take my showers there so I figure that saves on my home water and gas bill. I lost 20lbs and feel great, I'm hardly ever sick anymore, that is priceless. However, I bought a 2 year membership at a warehouse club and it works out to $12.50 a month, definitely worth the price for me.
This is one of those things that I really need to incorporate into my regular cleaning, along with getting my oven spic-and-span. I'm curious -- how often do other folks clean their major kitchen appliances?
My new year's resolution was to quit the gym (and it's $55/month membership fee), and do exercise I actually enjoy. In the winter that was a bit trickier, but I did yoga at home with some rented DVDs and DVRd shows, and dropped in on a couple dance and Zumba classes around the city. Now that it's warmer, I can kayak, ride my bike, take longer walks at lunch time, and take advantage of free outdoor classes provided by the park district.
Not in the last 10 years. Dumbells, pullup bar, a bosu ball, and surfing. Saves money and I can do it with my wife (which is great!)
I do pay for a gym membership, but at a reduced rate because of my health insurance!
Nope. I belong to a running club (costs £30 a year) and they give me access to the changing and showering facilities at a university gym. I once belonged to the YMCA in Oklahoma City and it gave me access to any Y in the OKC area, which was a bargain at the time. When I moved to Salt Lake City, I belonged to a community gym for which my property taxes helped pay and maintain. It had virtually every sport opportunity I could imagine wanting at the time. Both that gym and the Y were reasonably priced. Nothing I've found up here in Newcastle upon Tyne England is remotely reasonable.
No, I prefer to walk and swim.
We used to have a family membership at our local YMCA. We didn't use it much over the year that we had it so when it was time to sign up for another year, we decided not to. There is part of me that likes the gym once I get there but getting there is the hard part.
I do not pay for a gym membership but I do pay for a personal Pilates instructor.
Oops... can't win without an email address...
I paid for a gym membership for a year (under contract). I definitely was NOT worth it. I get just as good an exercise at home!
I work at a university. We pay a small fee to use the brand new student facilities. It is totally worth it even if I prefer to be outside.
I couldn't agree with you more, Jerry. Well said!!
Listen, I understand completely that people fall on hard times--I was one of those people last year, who went through a very tough time, but my husband and I buckled down, pulled back spending in a very serious way, and got through it, without the help of the gov't.
For me, it's a moral thing--I don't believe the US gov't should be shelling out money to people who are defaulting on their homes. That is why the USA is in such financial dire straights. It's not working, and these programs need to be shut down. $1 Billion for these programs? No wonder this country's $14 Trillion in debt!!!!! That's my point. It's unfair for those, like my husband and I, who made hard choices and saw ourselves through a very bad financial spot, and came out on the other side better than before.
No gym membership for me! I exercise the hillbilly way. I walk a lot, garden, push a reel type mower around my yard, and dripped sweat while foraging blackberries the other day. It takes a bit of hand/eye coordination to get the berries without getting the stickers too.
nothing for California I see :(
On a regular basis, most gyms are too crowded for me. Gym owners oversell for the available space because they know most people will stop showing up after a few sessions. The local YWCA is just as bad. I pay for yoga classes at a local studio - on a per class basis. Exercise is important, and a scheduled class is a great way to make time for exercise in your life.
A friend of mine has owned her house for over 25 years and the down economy has her at a loss for work in the last year and half. She did not buy a house she couldn't afford nor made bad decisions on money or had a balloon payment. She does not have unrealistic mortgage. She just needs help to ride out this spell and get back on her feet. People like her is likely what this program is intended for. I guess right away people think of the house owners that got their house in a time when loans were given out to people unlikely to qualify for loans otherwise. Too bad.
My husband and I pay for memberships at Planet Fitness ($10/month each) - we don't have room for a treadmill in our house and there are plenty of days during the long Maine winter when you can't run outdoors!
I don't pay for a gym membership. I just work out with videos at home. I would go to the gym if it was free!
Yes, through the YMCA
Yes, but I only pay $10/month and my insurance covers most of the cost (yay!). I hit the gym 3-5 days a week.
My employer has a relationship with a large university down the street that enables employees to get discounted memberships. Much cheaper than the YMCA or any other gym in my area. I've been a member for about a year and absolutely love it! I would recommend that others investigate whether or not any of the colleges and universities in their area allow community members to sign up. Could be a big savings!
I pay for a gym membership because it's more convenient and I'm more likely to work out harder and more regularly if I'm paying for it. I also use the sauna and jacuzzi after every work out. Another incentive to keep at it.
I really think it is not about ebarresment or being ashamed it is just about surviving!
I do pay for a gym membership. I didn't for years but my cholesterol and health suffered. The membership is what encourages me to keep working out, and working out hard. I use the gym five times a week and take my showers there so I figure that saves on my home water and gas bill. I lost 20lbs and feel great, I'm hardly ever sick anymore, that is priceless. However, I bought a 2 year membership at a warehouse club and it works out to $12.50 a month, definitely worth the price for me.
This is one of those things that I really need to incorporate into my regular cleaning, along with getting my oven spic-and-span. I'm curious -- how often do other folks clean their major kitchen appliances?