Workout Facilities

Hi All -
I'm moving next month and have been looking into joining a gym.  

Within a 10-15 minute drive from my new place, there is an LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, YMCA and something called Rascals (appears to cater towards older people...ughhh...I'm 40 now, do I fall into this category???? )

I've been reading reviews online and it seems like LA Fitness and Planet Fitness have some sort of bait & switch thing going on.  They reel you in with a low advertised price and then try to lock you in to multiple years.  It's also difficult to cancel. I'm sure it's not all locations, but the fact that there are negative reviews out there makes me wonder.   However, these two are the closest to my new place.

The YMCA is close-ish, but it's $60.00 per month.  I realize that you get a lot for your $60.00 - more than just cardio/weight facilities, but that's quite a chunk of change.

I've found no negative reviews of this Rascals place, which is about 10 minutes away but could be more with traffic. They do lock you into a year, which I am ok with for $19.99 start-up fee and $10.99 per month. 

If I ask my boyfriend, he says that I don't need to join a gym at all and that I can get exercise in by doing free stuff (walking, aerobic tapes, etc.) 

Any thoughts to help me along with my decision??

Thanks, Lisa

Rascals is awesome!  I was there for 2 years I think....I just left though because when I found a new karate school it was in Exton...and Rascals was no longer convenient for me to drive too after class....it would be a 15 MILE drivefrom Exton and then the drive from North coventry back to Phoenixville and I just dont have the time for that. 

It is clean...friendly...non judgemental....It has people of all ages and fitness levels...definitely NOT an old peoples place LOL  The rate is awesome.   The hours are great.  I would highly recommend them.  I was encouraging the owner to open one up in Phoenixville because Phoenixville is in desperate need of a good gym.  YMCA is rediculous in their rate. and the other place is filthy and run down.  I have heard that SNAP is good though...but that is all the way on the other end of town. 

I wish I knew you were looking and would have stayed at Rascals to have a work out partner.  I may go back in 6 months when my membership at the gym i joined in exton is up.  It is right across the street from my karate school...but I may not end up liking it...even if it is convenient.  I got a great rate of $19.99/month, but still not as good as rascals. 

Let me know what you decide.  I would say though...stay away from places like Curves...IMO they won't give you the room to expand your fitness level.

hg

Heather - thank you so much for responding !

After I read my own message, it seemed like Rascals might be the best option.  So glad to hear that someone agrees. 

I think that I will see if I can get a little tour of the place.  I'm moving to Stowe, and Rascals really wouldn't be that bad of a stretch for me to get to.  I think there may even be some back roads that I could take to get to North Coventry. 

If you decide to go back some day, let me know.

Lisa

Lisa,

I just went through the "gym search" a couple of months back.  My advice is this...

1. Find a place that YOU are comfortable in.  Ignore the hype and ads and come-ons... All that matters is whether the place is well equipped, safe, and clean.  Most of the time, you're going to be working out "alone" anyway (with headphones on, you're pretty much in your own little world) except when taking classes, so it doesn't matter all that much who the other folks are.

2. Any place that you are seriously considering should offer you a free pass to try their facility for a period of time.  No harm in asking for a free week (some places will do that, others will do 3 days, others will do one workout) with no obligation.  Make sure that you go and workout as you normally plan to - at the time of day you normally work out.  Use the locker room exactly as you plan to.  That way, you get a feel for any problems or annoyances that might tip the scale for you (like one place I tried - smaller gym, equipped ok, but the locker room was going to be a MAJOR problem in the morning getting ready for work)

3. Try to avoid getting locked into a contract.  If you find that a gym isn't working for you, find another gym - but don't let being stuck at a place you don't really like derail your exercise program!

4.  ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS!  I was able to find a place that offered a "corporate rate" for people who work at the college (and also for students at the college) and also for my health insurance, which reimburses up to $160 per year if you log at least 130 visits during the year.  

Hope these insights help a bit!

Karen

Karen - thank you very much for your input.  I'm going to ask for a tour and then see about a free week at Rascals.  

I'll be going after work, so the locker facilities are not a top priority for me, but it's good to know.

Lisa

I dont know if I said this or not (and too lazy to go back and read my first response LOL) but there is NO contract at rascals....also, I just got an email from them at work.  they said i can transfer my membership to a friend with in 15 days and they will fore go the start up fee (which I think is $49).  You need to take the email they sent me in to them....I can't forward it to you until Monday when I am back in the office (i can read them from home, just cant respond).  So, if you are interested, let me know and I will forward the email to you to print out. 

Heather

The LA fitness I belong to did NOT lock me into any years or what have you.  there was an initial start up fee of something like $100 but in my area it was the closest one that is near me that had what I wanted as far as classes, accessibility, machines, etc.

The YMCA by my house is a joke.  Not only is it more expensive per mos than LA Fitness, but also their classes were additional (including spinning, some swimming classes and things like that) which totally turned me off from them.

Good luck!