Reviews of the Best Gym Memberships:

Each year millions of us vow to join a gym, workout more, and get into better shape. Gym memberships always top out right after New Years as resolutions are made at the start of the new year and usually forgotten or broken just 2 to 3 months later. The only problem is that most people pay a fixed fee each month to be a member at a gym and once they stop going, the gym takes their money every month (for at least a year) and there are no refunds. Ads promoting a healthier lifestyle, being in better shape, and getting more exercise flood television, radio and the Internet each January hoping to sign-up new members at their respective gyms. If you are one of the few that plans on sticking to a new regimen of regular workouts and exercise, then joining a gym can be a good call. Memberships usually start around $20/month with an initiation fee or membership fee (which can usually be waived) and most contracts call for a year commitment on your part. The Ballys Total Fitness in our area consistently offers rates from about $20/month with no other costs up front. If you want to go month to month you will pay almost double that rate since the gym knows you will probably quit and they want as much money upfront as possible. The top gyms across America are Golds Gym, Worlds Gym, 24 Hour Fitness, and Bally's Total Fitness. Each offers something a little different, so keep reading to find out which one is best for you.

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If you are an average person looking to workout with weights and mabye take a class or 2 (step class, pilates, etc), then 24 Hour Fitness might be the place for you. At the time of article they were offering a 6 week membership for $49 with the hopes that you could lose 15 pounds in that time. There was a membership fee of $79.99 (plus first and last month's dues). You get 5-25 minute personal training sessions, fitness assessment, nutritional counseling, pedometer and program guide. There are 360 clubs nationwide so if you move or travel a lot you get access to those clubs. They are open 24 hours so if you work late and prefer midnights workouts, go for it. They offer family add-on discounts and Kid's Club (childcare/babysitting services) while you workout. Bally Total Fitness is similar to 24 Hour Fitness with plenty of exercise equipment for cardio and strength training. My wife is a member at Bally Fitness Gym and really likes their classes with Yoga, Pilates, and Step. If you go to Ballyfitness.com you can research all their membership offers - currently you pay $5 to start, $25-$48 per month for 12 to 36 months. Each Bally Fitness has personal trainers (for a fee of course) if you need that extra motivation to workout. They can also offer advice on nutritional and weight loss programs that will go hand and hand with your exercise routine to get you toned in on time. For the more avid weight lifter type (men and women), we suggest a place like Gold's Gym. Gold’s Gym has become the largest co-ed gym chain in the world, boasting more than 600 facilities in 42 states and 27 countries. In our eyes Gold's offers a more complete and serious workout environment for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Gold's Gym offers a 1 Day Free VIP Membership so you can experience the best for at least a day. Gold's Gym is were you will see bodybuilders who compete regularly working out. It can be very intimidating for first time gym members, so that we say start with an exercise related gym like Bally's or 24 Hour Fitness before moving on to the hard core workouts with weights. World Gym is close to Gold's Gym but somewhere in between the workout mentality of those at Bally Total Fitness and Gold's. Their slogan is "Real gyms, real people, real results". Membership fees fluctuate throughout the year and the deals and discounts top out in January/February every year as they compete hard for your money.

Home Gyms:

The reason why so many people join gyms and don't workout at home is because they don't have the space to fit the necessary equipment or the upfront cash to buy all the latest machines and exercise products. There are home gyms that give workouts close to what you will find at gyms, but you will need a place in your house to fit the equipment and the dedication to use them. No sense in spending $2000 for a good home gym and then never using it. Homegymcentral.com has climbers, benches, elliptical trainers, free weights, rowers, steppers, and treadmills that are all top quality. There are solutions like the Total Gym, Bowflex, Weider Crossbow, Body Craft machines that will cost you some money but give you a decent workout in the privacy of your own home. Unless you are already a dedicated gym goer, we strongly recommend staying away from home gyms. Too many people we have talked with purchased a home gym only to quit using them months later. If you are going to buy a home gym we do suggest looking on sites like Ebay or Craigslist for the best used deals.

YMCA Gyms/Fitness:

An alternative to expensive gym memberships and home gyms is the YMCA. Most YMCA's will offer health and fitness programs in your community. Check online at YMCA.net to find one in your local area and see what is offered. "Adult programs include strength training, injury rehabilitation, walking, personal fitness, exercise for beginners, yoga, tai chi, healthy back, weight management, and group exercise including aerobics, martial arts exercise, studio cycling, and much more". "Youth programs include preschool movement, youth fitness, teen fitness and kids' gyms". Small fees are usually required for these classes and they can be waived if you are financially unable to pay.

Curves - Ladies Only Gyms:

As fitness and gyms have become more popular in America, many gyms have either opened up "womens only" sections or Ladies Gyms. One example is Curves, a woman only gym with programs designed to not only increase the fitness level of them but help with self-esteem. Self image problems have kept women out of regular gyms for years for fear of showing their bodies in public and now there is a place where they can go with a quality support system. Curves offers a 30 minute workout (3 times a week) and weight management plans to help keep ladies on target for their goals. On the Curves.com website we did not see any promotional offers or monthly fees so please check with your local Curves for their rates.

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