How to Negotiate Gym Fees

Don't overpay for your gym membership.

When deciding what gym to join, one of the most important factors is price. Gyms charge anywhere from $50 to $150 per month and often include an initiation fee of up to $300. Commuting expenses such as gasoline and auto wear and tear should also be accounted for.



Depending on your budget, gym costs may not matter. However, if they do, consider negotiating a better price. Gym rates are not set in stone. You could save a bundle by trying a little wheeling and dealing.

Instructions

1. Telephone local gyms to get membership prices. Make sure you understand all the charges and fees. Take into consideration travel time and distance to and from each gym. Also, learn about the facilities offered, hours of operation and how crowded they are at the time you would work out there. Schedule a visit to the gym of your choice, and plan to negotiate.

2. Refuse to pay an initiation fee. Ask your membership coordinator -- the salesman -- why an initiation fee is charged. You will probably be told that it covers administrative expenses such as contract documentation and the printing of your membership card. These items hardly justify a large fee. Likely a large portion of the initiation or startup fee will just be pocketed by your salesman or the gym.

3. Offer to pay half or less of the initiation fee. If the salesman will not budge, get up and begin to leave his office. You may say you cannot afford the fee or even a portion of it. Or you may say you have a better offer at another gym. Usually, rather than lose the sale, your salesman will accept a lower fee or no fee at all.

4. Bargain for a short-term contract. Know that many gyms will try to make you sign a long-term contract that can last up to five years and charge you cancellation fees for leaving early. The contract may say you cannot get out of it unless you move 20 or more miles away, or have a doctor's note saying you are disabled.

   Seek a short-term contract and demand a one or two-year deal. Gyms are in business to make money. Their sales staff are trained to act like salesmen on a used-car lot. Don't be intimidated by them. You can name your terms or walk away.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask to try out the gym before signing up.

• Offering to bring in friends and relatives as potential new members, or advertising for a gym by wearing apparel with its logo, are effective negotiating tools you can use to reduce your cost.

• Take the gym contract home with you to read carefully before signing it. Make a list of questions to ask the salesman.

• Don't feel pressured into signing anything.

• Be sure anything you negotiate gets written into your contract.

• Always read the fine print.

References

• Campusmen.com: How to Choose a Gym or Health Club Membership
• Fitstep.com: How to Choose a Gym