1/29 | Getting small and saving big
Save Big on a Gym Membership
It’s New Year’s resolution time and for many people, that means deciding to join a gym and lose weight. However, since gym memberships can be expensive and often require a one-year to two-year commitment, it’s important to spend some time finding the right one for you. Let’s look at a few easy ways to save money when signing up for a gym membership:
Look for free trials
Most gyms offer free trials that let you stop by and workout like a member for a limited period of time – typically one day to one week. If you don’t know which gym is the right one, try taking advantage of trial memberships. Not only will they allow you to experience each gym first-hand and decide which one is the best fit for you, you could get a month or more of free membership privileges before you even sign a contract!
Watch for specials
Gyms – like most other retail businesses – offer periodic sales and discounts. For example, a gym may offer a limited-time, free-enrollment special to sign up lots of new members in a short period of time. You can find out about these specials through ads, usually TV, radio, and print. Pay attention and you might end up saving lots of money on a gym membership.
Talk to your friends
Gyms and other fitness facilities are always looking for new members, and one of the easiest ways for them to meet their recruitment goals is by turning their existing members into a mobile sales force. They encourage members to bring in friends and family, and thus offer bonuses for referrals, both referrer and referred. For instance, mentioning a friends name when joining at their gym could get you both discounted rates or free months of membership.
Work your connections
Are you a student, teacher or employee of a school or university? If so, many of these institutions have fitness facilities which you can use for free or at a significantly discounted rate. If you belong to a professional group or insurance plan, or just lucky to belong to a company with health club perks, talk to the gym you’re interested in joining, as you could qualify for discounted rates or enrollment fees.
Check into health insurance reimbursements
One of the newest trends for health insurance companies is to offer “good health” rebates to members who take part in healthy activities, like quitting smoking, losing weight, or joining a fitness facility. The exact amount of your rebate and conditions to get it vary by insurer, but in many cases it could be up to $ 100 t0 0 for joining and staying active at a gym. The HR department of your employer, or representatives with your insurance carrier can inform you of rebates you can get, and how to earn them.