Seven ways to avoid losing money on your gym membership

If you’re considering a gym membership, it’s worth asking yourself the following questions.

Total annual cost?

Ignore any early discounted fees to get you to sign up – what will it be over a regular 12-month period?

Do you have that cash to spare, or could the money be put to better investment in a yoga mat and a few weights from Decathlon (twin-pack dumbbells from €11, kettle bell from €16.50)?

Perhaps buying a bike, or joining a free walking group or Parkrun (parkrun.ie) would do the job just as easily?

Experts advise doing something you love if you want to change lifelong health habits.

If you don’t love workouts and free weights, try salsa or Zumba classes, or martial arts.

Alternatively, check whether a local community centre or school offers gym use or evening classes for a smaller fee, on a pay-as-you-go basis. You don’t really need a pool, fancy dressing rooms and a branded water bottle, do you?

Direct debit or pay as you go?

Ask the gym whether you are signing up for a whole year on direct debit, or whether you can cancel at any time.

If it turns out you go only three times in a month, you could be paying heavily for the other times you stayed on the sofa.

Could you try it on a buddy-pass or one-day charge to see whether it’s for you? Many gyms allow a try-before-you-buy option.

Gym buddies

Consider joining with a friend. You’re more likely to go if you feel you’d be letting someone down otherwise. There may be a discount for two.

Add-on fees?

Are there extra fees for classes, personal trainers and follow-up assessments?

Gyms can get very crowded at peak times. When will you go? Is there parking or bike storage? Is there a limit on class numbers or will you have to queue for the treadmill?

Many gyms over-subscribe because they know there’ll be fall-off, but it might get very annoying.

Schedule

When are you going to go? Making a schedule to go regularly is key to fitness success, rather than hoping you’ll have spare time and feel like it.

How long will it take to get to the gym when you need to go? Will you get caught in school traffic, or rush hour?

Motivation

How motivated are you to use a gym? You might have a goal to “get fitter” or “lose weight”, but are you going to be self-conscious when pecs pop out around you, or the Lululemon-clad 20-year-old starts running beside you?

Gym swaps

Does the gym have a franchise? Some allow you choose other branches if you live in one place and work in another. This might make it more likely you’ll go along.