Gym membership on a tight budget

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I’m glad you asked this question, because I am

pondering it myself. This is what I know so far:

– If you can work at the gym, you usually get a

membership for free. Gyms that offer babysitting often

hire people for short shifts, so maybe you could do a

Saturday morning or something.

– Some insurance plans reimburse for gym memberships.

I don’t know if any pay the whole amount. Blue

Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts reimburses $150 per

year.

– The ymca offers financial assistance. i was excited

about this option, however there are limitations. my

local branch of the y will only pay up to 50% of the

cost of membership. One adult costs $40, so that would

leave you paying $20/month if you qualified for the

full financial aid.

– If you have some type of business skill (marketing,

websites, etc.), you could try bartering to get a free

membership. I think this would only work with a small,

local gym – not a big chain. I did this for awhile,

but negotiated to get a free membership PLUS some pay.

– Also, gyms usually discount their monthly prices

depending on how long you commit to. There is a health

club at the Regency hotel here, very fancy, pool etc.

They offer 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 month options. If you do

just one month, it costs $75. If you commit to a full

year, the price per month goes down to $31 (and

obviously the other months fall in between those). Be

VERY careful about their terms and conditions before

signing a contract, though. Some gyms (like Bally’s)

give you a very hard time about getting out of the

contract for valid reasons, like medical problems.

Finally, I know many people would view a gym

membership as a luxury. However, you are to be

commended for taking charge of your health – there’s

nothing more important than that. So, if going to a

gym is what will get and keep you healthy, it is a

very sound investment. Good luck!

Suzanne

Join this group to find out about local deals and bargains:

https://groups.yahoo.com/group/frugalinmassachusetts/

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