Wednesday, April 13, 2011

On the Hunt for a Gym

I really should join a gym.  The problem with living on-campus at work is that I don't have to go home - so I don't need to stop by the gym on my way :-)  There is an exercise facility here, but it's geared more for the kids and is hot!  No air conditioning in the summer would mean no exericse for Dev.  So, I've been shopping memberships this morning.

First I looked at the YMCA.  At $40.00/month plus whatever the joining fee is, the cost is a little more than I want to spend to have access to an elliptical roughly 3 times/week.  I thought about joining just to get member rates on J's swimming lessons and youth programs, but you have to have a family membership to qualify for those.  The family membership is $60.00/month.
Pros:
Lots of offerings - classes, lessons, circuit machines, weights, elliptical, trainers, daycare, family oriented
Cons:
Cost, location, joining fee

Next up, I looked at Fitness 19.  They have a membership sale going on this week - $15.00/month with no joining fee!  I think this may be a contender.  Not to mention, they are located just a few blocks from my sister's house, so it would be easy-peasy to get my workout in either going or coming from taking care of J.
Pros:
Inexpensive, weights, elliptical, trainers, daycare, location, no joining fee
Cons:
No curcuit machines, no classes (though I probably wouldn't take them anyway)

There's also Anytime Fitness. I don't know much about them, but I may try out their 7-day free pass to learn more about them.  They are $36.00/month and are just a little further away from my sister's house than Fitness 19.
Pros:
Classes, weights, curcuit, elliptical, no joining fee, 3 locations
Cons:
$20 key cost, no daycare (though I probably wouldn't need it anyway)

I also checked out Curves. I have to be honest - I've never been interested in joining them, but since I watched the owners on Secret Millionaire, I wouldn't mind supporting them. However, I couldn't really get much off of the website and their hours are bad (8:30-6:30). 
Pros:
Curcuit, women-only, 1-day free pass
Cons:
Hours, cost (I'm assuming - couldn't find the cost anywhere on their website), no daycare

I'd be interested in Billings Athletic Club if they had a membership sale.  Otherwise, at $47.00/month the cost is too much of a deterrent.  I'd been a member there before when I had to do PT/Rehab and really enjoyed it.
Pros:
Classes, weights, curcuit, elliptical, trainers, locally owned, daycare
Cons:
Cost

Finally, I checked on Granite Health & Fitness. Yeah, they have lots of goodies ( most of which I wouldn't use) and are local.  Their cost isn't on their website, but from what I've heard from co-workers, it's pretty expensive.
Pros:
Classes, weights, curcuit, elliptical, trainers, massage, 7-day free pass, locally owned, location, daycare
Cons:
Cost

Ding, ding, ding.  I think Fitness 19 is the winner.

3 comments:

Lori said...

I think that the proximity is the most important. If it's a trek to get there, forget it - I won't find the time. Sounds like Fitness 19 has all the good stuff you want.

Jenny Sulpizio said...

Hey there! I own a Curves and they are great facilities. They do not offer price info on their websites because their joining fee is always subject to change. Currently it is $) to join and just $34 per month. It is a 1/2 hour workout for just 3 ties a week and now offers Zumba classes within their circuit training. Fabulous!!!

nath said...

I would go with the cheapest as well, cos one of the problem is going to the gym ^_^; So cheapest is best imo.