Bally Total Fitness

[aznaphrodite]

Any deals on joining Bally Total Fitness?

[caribiner23]

I checked around, and it seems as though their big membership push (i.e., "sales") happen right after the holidays or in the fall.

The only deal I could find on their site was the New Graduate Discount:

New Graduate Membership Discount
Bally Total Fitness understands the unique needs of college graduates, so we've created a special membership just for you. Get $50 off your membership fee. Join now and use any of our over 350 locations.

This is the time of year you're supposed to be flaunting the physique you worked so hard to attain. (Does the phrase "Krispy Kreme" fall into the category of "worked so hard to attain?" Oh. I guess that explains what I see in the mirror...)

For what it's worth, I've heard that Lifetime Fitness is the tops in health clubs. If you are near one of those, you may want to check it out.

[aznaphrodite]

Thanks for looking for me. Unfortunately, I don't qualify for the New Grad discount since I graduated nearly a year ago and their criteria is in the last six months. Thanks anyway!

[Showtime]

I go to 24 hour Family Fitness. They are all over So-Cal. My brother got a 3 year package for $700 and added me for another $100. $400 each for 3 years. $100 renewal for every year after that. You'll probably get a better price if you sign on with someone else.
good luck
-jel

[sizemic1]

Do yourself a favor and join a small local gym with Month-To-Month memberships. Don't get roped into a multi-year contract.

[caribiner23]

Do yourself a favor and join a small local gym with Month-To-Month memberships. Don't get roped into a multi-year contract.

This is why I mentioned Lifetime Fitness: no contract, 24/7.

www.lifetimefitness.com

I actually belong to my local park district's health club (hey, using my own tax dollars to subsidize my membership is a *good* thing), and while it is cheaper than a "commercial" club, my main complaint is that they're only open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm during the week and until 6:00 pm on weekends. It gives me too many excuses to not work out.:ummno:

[Chgoman]

One thing to remember is that at the bigger gyms, the people you talk to about the memberships are salesmen, nothing more, nothing less. They will try to talk you into anything and everything, so be sure you know what you want and say no to what you don't. Also, when then give you the spiel about how much down and per month and all, negotiate it with them. They are flexible and you can get a lower price than they first offer (don't be afraid to get the best price you can and then say, you know I think I'm going to check out some of the other Gyms in the area for a better deal. Makes them squirm and lower the price a little usually. Even if they don't, you can still say okay, I'll take it).

[caribiner23]

Wasn't there a "Friends" episode where this happened? One of the guys wanted to cancel his membership and the person at the health club had all these scantily-clad women parading through the lobby...

The advice Chgoman gave is good advice whether you're buying a health club membership, car, or anything major. The one thing my dad taught me about buying a car was "if you don't like the deal and they are unwilling to budge, walk." It's worked more often than not.