Gym Membership... does your gym offer classes?

Contemplating getting a gym membership. I am pretty motivated right now and I really want to pu**** to the next level with exercise. A gym around the corner from me has a special where if you hire a trainer for a certain amount of sessions, gym membership for a year is included. It is a pretty good deal. Only downfall is it is strictly a cardio/weight gym. No classes.

If you utilize a gym, does yours have classes? Are they included? Extra? Do you USE them?

This gym is uber close [like 3 blocks] and it is a 24/7 facility which works great for me since I work shift work. I am just kinda bummed about the no classes. The gym that is larger and offers classes is about 15 minutes away and is not 24/7. 

Yes, my gym offers lots of classes and they are included in the membership fee. I take spin class once a week. I have a trainer, too (but that is not included in the membership). Other classes offered are Body Sculpting, Kick Boxing, Zumba, Circuit Training, Boot Camp, etc. I go to the gym Monday through Friday, do 1 hour of cardio a day, plus the trainer 3 days a week. Losing between 1.5 to 3 pounds per week. Nothing earth=shattering, but its been steady. Good luck with your gym search!

My gym is strictly cardio and weights...but it's free through work...so I'm not complaining.  I get off work and go upstairs and work out.  I wouldn't take those classes any way.  I'm not the most coordinated person in the world and I wouldn't be able to keep up with any fancy dance steps.  I feel like that would slow me down.  I am strictly jogging/running and weight lifting.

I belong to LifeStyle Family Fitness.
The classes there are included.

Check out the group fitness classes on there website.  www.lff.com

I love my gym!!


Steph  =-)

Yes, my gym has classes.  Most are included, a few have a nominal ($1.00) fee.

I participate in every class my gym offers (Zumba, RPM (aka Spin), Body Pump, Step Aerobics, Boot Camp, Yoga, Pilates).. BUT, I didn't start out like that.  I started just going in and using the treadmill.  It was a gradual progression to taking the classes.

I'd say join whichever you are able to use due to your shiftwork.  Perhaps the gym with classes would let you participate on an individual basis....fee per class?  Might cost a tiny bit more per class than a membership, but you wouldn't be locked into something that you couldn't use.

Speaking of gym.. time to go get ready.

I understand your dilemma.. there are two gyms here too, and locations are not all that far apart.. the one with lots of classes isn't 24 hour.. the 24 hour one has a newer facility.  I'm not a self-starter, so the classes are a better option for me, but I do wish the hours were better where I go.

The gym that I go to have lots of classes. I work with a trainer (which is extra) once a week. I take kickboxing and bodypump. I am going to start taking a yoga/pilates class and hope to get back into spin. I also do kettlebell workouts at home. I have been working out 3-4 days per week, but hope to up it to 5-6 to jump start this weight loss again.
Steph

 I prefer group classes, but I can understand your dilemma, because I know for myself that I'm much more likely to attend a gym that is close by.

What I'd recommend is asking the gym that offers classes if you can have a one-week trial membership.  Most will provide that.  Then, take a few classes and see what you think.  Don't get discouraged if you can't keep up with the group, because the idea is just to get a feel for the facility and the group dynamics to see if that suits you better than a lifting/cardio gym.  The main thing is to find something that keeps you motivated to keep on going, and many people find the group camaraderie is very helpful.  Personally, I love Spinning and Body Pump.

I joined LA Fitness when it opened -- and the deal I got included the ability to be a 'lifetime' member for 99.00 per year.
So, now, I can 're-up' my membership for 298.00 every 3 years --- and they have cardio, weights, pool/sauna, spinning and aerobics classes.

I don't go often, but I do like the step and body sculpt classes -- and some day I am going to get brave enough to try spinning!

There is a new 'lower level' gym opening close to my home -- cardio/weights only.
I joined it with my husband, for 2 reasons
1.  I want to encourage my husband to work out -- and it is affordable (15.00 per month)
2.  it is 1.5 miles from my home -- I work from home and can skip over there for a 45 minute workout during my lunch hour, if I want (LA fitness is about 20 minutes from my house)

The first gym I joined had a couple classes, but never during times I could attend. When I first started that was good for me. I just wanted to get in, get my time in and get out and not be noticed. LOL

I recently joined a different gym. It is like a 5 minute drive from my house, if that. It has several classes, body pump, spinning, zumba, yoga type class, and probably some other ones I can't remember. It also has a pool and hot tub. Now that I am more comfortable with excercising and working out in general, I like the classes and extra stuff.

I say join the gym with the trainer that works better for you now and re-evaluate when your membership is up.

 I am a member at Lucille Roberts, they have great classes like kickboxing, butt and gut and tummy tuck lift class. I honestly joined for their speciality classes whi*****lude Zumba. I plan on getting into the whole zumba craze once I heal up properly. Now I am looking for somewhere to swim, I hear thats a great workout too. Oh, did I mention only ladies at Lucille roberts which was a plus for me, LOL Im not ready to sweat in front of hot guys yet!