Gym Facilities vs. Value

1. The first thing is obvious: get the best possible deal on your gym membership. If you already have a gym membership, bargain for a reduced cost when you renew your membership. Most gyms will allow you to bargain for a better price, and if the gym does not, say that you will quit the gym without a better price, and the price will often magically drop. If you are first joining a gym, bargain for a great price and a price lock in future years.

Keep in mind some good ways to get discounts: join with a friend and ask for a discount because it's a package deal, offer to pay in full for the year, and if you definitely plan to stay at the gym, sign a multiple year contract.

If you can not bargain down the price, bargain for value added services: free guest passes, a free personal training session, or whatever else you're looking for.

2. Step 2
When you first join a gym, ask for a free consultation with a trainer as part of your gym membership package. This trainer should teach you how to use the gym equipment safely and give you some tips about working out which will fit your individual need (weight loss, toning up, and so on).

3. Step 3
The third part of getting the most value out of your gym contract is using the gym frequently. Since you likely will pay a flat fee no matter how much you use the gym, a great way to get value out of going to the gym is actually going. Make it a point to go to the gym several times a week, even if for a short time.

4. Step 4
Take exercise classes at the gym. If the gym classes are included in your gym membership fee, you are paying for them whether you go to the classes or not. Take advantage of this valuable weight loss service.

5. Step 5
Bring friends to the gym. You can either ask for free guest passes, or have the friend come and state that they are interested in joining the gym (if they are, of course). You'll enjoy the workout a lot if a friend joins you, so bring a friend at the gym's expense, if you can.

6. Step 6
Use the gym's facilities. Not only are you paying for the exercise classes and exercise equipment, you're also paying for the showers, bathrooms and amenities such as lotion and shampoo.

In order to get the most out of these amenities, use them. Think of it this way: each shower that you take at the gym costs the gym money on its energy and water bills. Also, this is money that you are not spending on your bills because you're showering at the gym. Use the gym's showers as much as possible, especially if the gym provides shampoo, conditioner and body wash to its members.

The same goes for the gym's bathroom facilities. You may not love using the bathroom in a public place, but using the gym's bathroom saves you money on water and toilet paper. This may sound extreme, but toilet paper expenses and such really do add when you're paying for them.

Of course, use gym provided shampoo, conditioner, lotion, hairspray and deodorant whenever possible. These costs add up when you are paying for them on your own.

7. Step 7
Treat the gym as a place to socialize. Meet new people while you work out. Then, plan to go to the gym together. The more people you befriend at the gym, the more motivated you will be to go to the gym.

Making new friends at the gym helps you to get the most value out of your gym membership because new friendship is a value add to gym membership - you'll lose weight there and make new friends.

8. Step 8
Ask for a bonus for referring new members to join your gym. Many gyms offer incentives, such as a free month's membership, when you refer people. Ask the gym to provide you with membership flyers and free guest passes, and you will be able to refer people without incurring any personal expenses.