Being a member at a "nice" gym has been on my wish list for some time. I have been putting this off though, because for some reason I am comfortable with endless one-time splurges but am very averse to increasing my monthly fixed costs.
For example, I've been wanting a new flat screen TV for over 2 years now. It's not the one-time cost of the TV that's holding me back, but rather the increased monthly cable bills (for HD programming, an HD DVR, etc).
Anyway, a friend of mine recently gave me a week long pass to her very upscale gym. I went several times and absolutely loved it. In fact I was actually itching to go back the next day, and the next! This has never happened to me with a gym before.
It has a very zen, spa-like feel, making you feel healthier and more energetic just by walking in the door. They feature local art which changes regularly, plush towels and water are plentiful, and the people there are fit but friendly. The place manages to avoid the meat market feel of some upscale gyms I've been to. It strikes a great balance between motivating me to look and perform my best while not making me feel pressured to have designer gym clothes and wear makeup to work out.
All the equipment is state-of-the-art, of course, and there are tons of unique classes led by legitimate trained professionals. The yoga studio is amazing and they provide all the materials you need (which are cleaned between each use). The biggest benefit with the classes is that they are insulated so that if you are in the pilates studio, for instance, you aren't distracted by the throbbing music from the spinning studio.
The locker room takes the cake, though. It's nicer than any I've seen, even in luxury spas in hotels. You actually want to take a shower in this gym, especially since they provide everything from shampoo to shaving cream to hair-dryers to q-tips. People even walk around barefoot!
And on your way out you can pick up a gourmet salad, all-natural smoothie, or organic coffee (not for free, though). There is also a spa on the premises if you fancy a post-workout massage or a quick wax. They even provide complimentary valet!
All for just over $130 a month. Which happens to be three times what I pay now. However I can't go back to my smelly, sweaty, dirty, loud, gritty old gym that barely even provides you a towel and has a bathroom that more closely resembles a gas station than a luxury spa.
This new gym provides several distinct benefits which will entice me to go regularly.
- I might actually start going in the mornings because I will be willing - and happy! - to shower and get ready there.
- I will be held accountable by my two friends who are members and go there very regularly.
- It is right next to the place I most often stop to pick up dinner/lunch. So I might as well go to my new gym now, even for 20 mins, and then pick it up there on my way out (or even get it from the place in the gym and avoid a second stop).
4 comments:
When I lived in NYC I went to a gym that sounds very much like the one you describe (Equinox, I think it was called).
I went almost every day, not because of friends holding me accountable, or because of convenience, but because if I was going to pay over $100 a month for a gym, I was going to get my money's worth, dang it!
Also, the gym was in fact much nicer than my (rat-infested) apartment. I loved spending time there:)
$150 a month is insane in Texas. I pay $50 a month for the top of the line 24 Hour fitness with a city view and a billion classes.
At $150, why not just join the country club? It's probably even nicer.
@ DogAteMyFinances - country club memberships cost WELL over $150 a month, not to mention that initiation fees in Dallas run from $40K to $200K depending on which club you are joining. And their facilities are definitely not any nicer than my gym.
And I used to be a member of 24 Hr fitness - that's the "gritty, sweaty" pile of bricks I was referring to in my post. It's great if you just want a bare bones place to get in and get out and you don't care about personalized attention or ambiance.
But I'm tired of going to yoga classes taught by some college student and being crammed in next to 50 other people, while trying to tune out the pounding music of the spinning class next door. I'm willing to pay more to ensure that the treadmills will be running, the equipment cleaned, and the staff well-trained - not to mention all the extra amenities.
If it makes you feel healthy and want to go back and you can afford it then why not?? It sounds like a wonderful place. I was glad our insurance gave us a break on our premium when we would go regularly to the gym. Maybe yours does too which would offset some of the costs.
Jerry
www.leads4insurance.com
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