Bargaining for gym membership cost

[kermit116]

I'm heading over to my local gym this evening to see what kind of membership deal I can get for me and DH. I'm pretty set on the monthly price I'm willing to pay, but I am willing to sign up for a long term contract. Has anyone had luck bargaining with the sales people for a good monthly price? This is a Golds Gym, so I'm not sure if the sales people really have flexibility to bargain or if they have a set price set by Golds that they must charge. Any tips from anyone who has bargained for a gym membership or has worked at a Golds gym would be appreciated.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I have never known ANY GYM to negotiate their monthly fees. Not even the privately owned one we have here in town but especially not big chain gyms like Gold's. Can you imagine all the haggling those sales reps would have to do with ppl if they started lowering fees for some folks and charging others full price?

The only fitness center I have ever known to have a "sale" was the YMCA. A few months each year they offer a sign up with no joining fees. (The normal joining fee is $75)

I think you really need to check into what Gold's monthly rate is and if you are not willing to pay that much you are going to have to find a cheaper gym or buy one of those limited memberships that only allow you to go certain days of the week. (If they still have that)

Sounds like you already know that what you are willing to pay is less than what they expect you to pay. Good luck with that. Let us know what they say when you ask.

 

[etedesco]

My husband used to work in sales for a big chain gym and they do have latitude with your contract. Usually they can add perks, additional months or users (you pay for yourself and DH is free), etc. Also depends on if you put the fees on a credit card or pay cash up front for the length of your contract. Good luck!

 

[SandrA9810]

The gym here doesn't do much on the monthly fee, unless you sign up for autopay. They do have control with the sign up fee though. Usually towards the end of the month, if they've met their quota, they can waive the fee. They also do a lot of mailings for a free week or two. You can only use one "friend pass", but you can use multiple mailings for free use of the gym.

 

[PatriciaH]

Check if your insurance has a fitness benefit too. Our Blue Cross Blue Shield does, DH's work matches it too so we get back $600/year towards a gym membership! It can't be something like a yoga, martial arts or dance studio but has to be a gym. Our gym also had a special in October where they waived the sign up fee and the first month was free. You had to agree to a 1 year contract. It used to be a Golds Gym but the owner did not want to pay the fees anymore so kept his own name/chain.

 

[BSil]

We had a Golds in town which became Latitude, but more to the point is that they had folks who came in, and told them they couldn't afford to be members anymore. The gym then sold those (slightly used) memberships at a big discount, just to get another member in the gym, and paying something toward the membership they thought they had. I had never heard of such a thing before, but when I checked into it they absolutely did. I think you should try to negotiate for something no matter what. Especially in the current economy. The only place I haven't tried haggling is the grocery store...but I'm considering it.

 

[kermit116]

Thanks for all the tips. I've never tried to bargain for a gym membership, so I figured I've give it a shot. I'll report back with results!

 

[Stephanie218]

I have never known ANY GYM to negotiate their monthly fees. Not even the privately owned one we have here in town but especially not big chain gyms like Gold's. Can you imagine all the haggling those sales reps would have to do with ppl if they started lowering fees for some folks and charging others full price?

I've had exactly the opposite experience with 24 Hour Fitness and LA Fitness and they are both big chains. I haggled and joined both of those gyms with no sign-up fee and a lower monthly payment than is advertised on their website. They want the business, and will cut you a deal. With 24 Hour, I also got access to all the area clubs instead of just one club for the lower price, so that is another way you can bargain.

If you know anyone who goes to Gold's, ask them what they are paying (if you're comfortable doing so). I asked around and found out some of my friends were paying less than 24 was advertising....which was a big reason that they decreased the price on mine as well.

 

[TinaMcTeer]

I did notice that on the AAA website they have a 20% discount and only $39 sign up fee for showing your AAA card if you have one at Gold's Gym.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Check if your insurance has a fitness benefit too. Our Blue Cross Blue Shield does, DH's work matches it too so we get back $600/year towards a gym membership! It can't be something like a yoga, martial arts or dance studio but has to be a gym. Our gym also had a special in October where they waived the sign up fee and the first month was free. You had to agree to a 1 year contract. It used to be a Golds Gym but the owner did not want to pay the fees anymore so kept his own name/chain.

We have blue cross and never heard of it covering fitness. Is it only for certain GYM's? I'll have to look into it

 

[minushka72]

We have blue cross and never heard of it covering fitness. Is it only for certain GYM's? I'll have to look into it

I have BCBS and we have a fitness benefit also. They reimburse up to $150 of the membership fees for any gym membership per person so $300 for me and DH. You just have to prove what you paid and provide a copy of the contract. Check your benefits as it may not be on your plan. Different employers offer different levels of health insurance and can choose different benefits to offer.

 

[PatriciaH]

I have BCBS and we have a fitness benefit also. They reimburse up to $150 of the membership fees for any gym membership per person so $300 for me and DH. You just have to prove what you paid and provide a copy of the contract. Check your benefits as it may not be on your plan. Different employers offer different levels of health insurance and can choose different benefits to offer.

Yes, same here. I guess it has to be on the plan. We just had to send in copies of what we paid/the contract. We had to be members for 4 months in a row.

 

[piratejill]

I recently talked a gym down to a good price (it was a large chain as well). It HELPS if you wait until the end of the month too (since they work to get their monthly numbers up). I went in, asked for a free week to check it out and waited for them to call me once the week ended. Worked out great!