This is totally self-serving. In January, I will be open for nearly 2 years and have not raised my rates since opening. I am also $3/class cheaper and $30-$10 cheaper monthly, so this will not be over or beyond the norm.
Just wondering what your reaction (if any) was when your gym/studio/pt/whatever raised rates. Did they warn you first? Did you stop going there? What percentage did they raise?
Post by venice2007 on Nov 20, 2013 14:06:15 GMT -5
I pay $110 a month for unlimited yoga/Pilates. Rates been the same since I joined in '11. I know in the past people said she warned them a few months before rates went up but they only went up a small bit for packages and memberships. No one said it was bad. My studio is still the cheapest by far in the area.
My yoga studio is $115 unlimited (this includes childcare and a free guest any time (unlimited number of times)).
My gym (more like a health club) is $124 + $30 for childcare. I've been a member for ~6 years, and they have raised the rates 3 times. They always notify us by letter a couple of months in advance. I wish they had more local competition because if another area gym had good childcare, I'd move to a new place.
My yoga studio is $115 unlimited (this includes childcare and a free guest any time (unlimited number of times)).
My gym (more like a health club) is $124 + $30 for childcare. I've been a member for ~6 years, and they have raised the rates 3 times. They always notify us by letter a couple of months in advance. I wish they had more local competition because if another area gym had good childcare, I'd move to a new place.
We have a fair amount of competition, sort of. I am the only licensed Spinning facility in the county, but there are studios that offer indoor cycling along with other classes. They are still more expensive than I am. I will be middle of the road with my pricing if I raise it. Honestly, it isn't to make more money, but to make up for additional expenses since my vendors/bills went up since 5/2012.
If your gym didn't raise it's prices, would you still be considering a new place?
I hate answering these questions because I know I have a sweet deal. Lifetime membership for $20/year so long as I pay said membership @ a big box chain. I use it maybe 5x per year and still feel like I got my monies worth.
$69/month for an MMA gym. Unlimited classes (cardio boxing/kickboxing, muay thai, combat boxing, etc.) Their regular price is now $119/month for either cardio classes + gym OR hand to hand classes + gym. I think they (so far) have only raised prices for incoming members not "old" members. Old is in quotes because they've only been open 2.5 years.
My yoga studio is $115 unlimited (this includes childcare and a free guest any time (unlimited number of times)).
My gym (more like a health club) is $124 + $30 for childcare. I've been a member for ~6 years, and they have raised the rates 3 times. They always notify us by letter a couple of months in advance. I wish they had more local competition because if another area gym had good childcare, I'd move to a new place.
We have a fair amount of competition, sort of. I am the only licensed Spinning facility in the county, but there are studios that offer indoor cycling along with other classes. They are still more expensive than I am. I will be middle of the road with my pricing if I raise it. Honestly, it isn't to make more money, but to make up for additional expenses since my vendors/bills went up since 5/2012.
If your gym didn't raise it's prices, would you still be considering a new place?
No - the raising prices is not a big deal. The reason I'd look to go elsewhere is because things are outdated. Which, I think naturally members want to "see" their dollars at work. For example: our spin bikes are so incredibly old. They are in complete disrepair. We spin in an old racquetball court. Yet we pay premium prices. I think those are the things that bother people. Premium prices for premium equipment/certification/facilities is not a bad thing.
I pay $20 for my gym membership then I pay $40 a month for unlimited fitness classes at a studio which mainly has zumba and barre fitness. If I pay per class it's $8.
My gym actually lowered its rates a few years ago to stay competitive, by like $10-15/month. If they raised id still go, i use it amd its not expensive.
I"ve been a member of my gym for like 6 years and they have never once raised my rates.
the bikram yoga studio I frequented as a drop in raised their rates recently. it was $18 and they raised it to $20. I definitely stopped coming as frequently after that not because the increase was so substantial but more because it was expensive to begin with and I already pay for a gym membership. they made some improvements to the studio so I understand why they had to raise rates but it just got to the point where I had a hard time justifying $80/month on bikram.
Now I go maybe once a month or so unless they have a groupon/living social special.
We most certainly have the best equipment, studio environment, instructors, etc. so they are paying for top notch service, etc.
Most of my clients have actually let go of their gym memberships because they get enough out of my services. We have some spin/combo classes and are introducing tabata bootcamp next month.
It is so scary to potentially rock the boat a little, but it has to be done.
We most certainly have the best equipment, studio environment, instructors, etc. so they are paying for top notch service, etc.
Most of my clients have actually let go of their gym memberships because they get enough out of my services. We have some spin/combo classes and are introducing tabata bootcamp next month.
It is so scary to potentially rock the boat a little, but it has to be done.
I think your regulars will understand. just give them a couple of months notice that you have to increase rates by whatever % across the board. you'll probably lose some of those drop-ins like me, but they aren't your cornerstone anyway.
you could also try running a groupon/living social special if they have that in your area. might get some new asses in seats.
my studio does a 5 for 50 that you have to use in like 8 weeks or something every once in awhile. not sure the logistics behind that but they keep having the specials so it must be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Post by libbygrl109 on Nov 20, 2013 15:07:09 GMT -5
I belong to the Y, and it's a family membership. Have only been there a couple months, so no rate change. I think it's reasonable, as long as we utilize everything we joined for. When we last belonged there, they did a rate change, and it was pretty substantial, but I think they hadn't raised it in a while, and had just gone through a big renovation. They gave us a month or so notice. We quit because we had moved farther away, making it less convenient to go on a regular basis.
sitnspin - I wish your studio was a little closer. I've gotten a lot out of the spin classes I have taken. Most of the time, the ones at my gym are full.
ebeth, thanks. We did a Groupon when we first opened which got a lot of folks to notice us. We did a living social for new clients last May and that also was great. We don't really need to run those types of deals anymore now that we are pretty busy and established. Most of my classes are sold out with waitlists, so thankfully, we are good.
I now need to figure out how to put this to my clients. I have a meeting with my small business mentors at the chamber of commerce who always have great advice.
We pay $83/mo for the Y for both of us. Our rates went up when we changed from one branch to another one (that happens to be nicer), and they sent us a letter. I am not sure if it has gone up any other time.
I would definitely send a letter to members advising them a month or so before a rate change goes into effect. As long as it's reasonable you shouldn't lose customers over it.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Nov 20, 2013 16:40:11 GMT -5
Before I was an employee (and now get the free family membership), R & I paid $84/month for the two of us - full service gym with childtending, pool access, and almost all group classes included in that rate. We only pay extra for masters swim in the summer and KenPo in the winter. However, my gym is by FAR not the newest in town - the building and pool are 70+ years old and honestly, it shows its age. But they maintain their equipment well and are continually investing in the facility. They'll be moving in 2015 to a brand-new facility and our rates are set to go up by $5-10 a month. No biggie.
FWIW, I am pretty sure that their policy is that typically new members absorb increased costs, as in, my membership would always be $84/month provided there were no changes, but new members might pay $95/month for the same membership. KWIM?
Post by emilyinchile on Nov 20, 2013 16:55:33 GMT -5
I pay $75/month for unlimited Crossfit which is the rate for paying 6 months at a time. It hasn't gone up in the year I've been going, but I would understand if it did. When I started, the box was pretty new and just beginning to attract people, and now it's more established with more equipment. I wouldn't mind a slight increase in that situation, and it sounds similar to yours.
I used to pay 89/mo for unlimited yoga until they changed ownership. It got raised to 249/mo (which pissed me off hardcore, but it was still cheaper than other studios). It just went back down to 99/mo for unlimited. Sweet!
Post by pinkplasticdoll on Nov 20, 2013 19:18:09 GMT -5
My yoga membership is $79 but can potentially be as low as $59 a month, it includes mats,towels, unlimited classes at all locations and I can bring a guest to any class at no additional cost.
My gym membership is $29.99/month for unlimited access to all gyms across the US and any/all classes. It has pool access, childcare and spinning rooms.
If I really liked the gym I was going to I wouldnt bat an eyelash at a slight increase in prices provided I was given advance notice.
My gym is $30/month and has been since it opened a few years ago. If they raised rates I'd pay w/o complaint. I know I have a good deal and it is a mile from my house. The second closest is 25 minutes, so even if they doubled the rates I'd stay! Childcare is an additional $14 monthly for unlimited.
My gym is $59/month (with 1 year commitment). This includes classes and childcare. There is a ton of competition in the area - some gyms are as cheap as $10/month (no commitment) and some are $135/month (w/commitment).
I occasionally take a yoga or dance class at a studio - $10-$15 per class.
I would make new rates effective for new/non-members. If my studio raised rates, I would be OK with a $2 increase with a 30 day notice. I couldn't stomach $20 for a yoga class.
Post by lasagnasshole on Nov 20, 2013 20:44:12 GMT -5
It would take a pretty huge rate increase for me to change gyms. I go to mine because it's convenient. It's literally down the hall from my office so I can get a 25 minute workout in at lunch or a longer one if I stay later. I leave my shoes and toiletries and swimsuit at work and just bring clothes in. I could swim at the city pool for free, and I would if rates went up a ton, but the hours aren't as convenient. 10% or less and I wouldn't even consider changing. 11-30% and I'd be unlikely to change. Over 30% and I'd probably change on principle. I pay $70/month for a gym that includes unlimited classes, a pool, and (at a nearby sister gym), a racquetball court.
$0. Before I moved, I spent $80-$100 on yoga each month purchased in packs of 10 classes for $100. I would have been willing to pay a bit more, maybe $12-15 per class. I don't know if everyone at that yoga studio would have though. It is hard to know what others' budgets and priorities look like.
Yoga here is about $27/class. ($27 translates to 100 AED, so it is a nice round, common price for things here.) That is just too much for me. I could afford it I guess, but I cringe at the thought of spending that much on yoga on a regular basis.
We most certainly have the best equipment, studio environment, instructors, etc. so they are paying for top notch service, etc.
Most of my clients have actually let go of their gym memberships because they get enough out of my services. We have some spin/combo classes and are introducing tabata bootcamp next month.
It is so scary to potentially rock the boat a little, but it has to be done.
I don't currently belong to a gym, but when I have and rates went up it was always with some notice which was appreciated. It's got to be a tough decision, but honestly the fact that you have top notch equipment and instructors, and you're changing to meet the needs/requests of your clients (with combo classes,etc.) are not to be discounted either. It's better to raise it a bit now rather than not do so and have to make a larger bump in the future, imo.
I pay $49.99/mo for club usage (all equipment, child care, sauna, etc) and unlimited group classes (roughly 200 a month). Small group classes, personal training, and pilates are additional. If you are on a membership plan and not month to month your rate is locked in.
I wouldn't have a problem with rates increasing, things get more expensive.
I pay $240/month for my gym, they've raised the price twice, but it's next to my office so I would probably pay twice as much. It includes a lot of classes, but cycling, not spin. And IMO, there's a big difference.
I also pay $120/month for my yoga studio. They raise the price ALL THE TIME. And they always seem to be canceling classes. But it has a good vibe and is 2 blocks from my house, so . . .
My gym is about $40/month. It's a pretty typical gym with group classes, decent spin bikes, a really nice cardio theater (my fav. place to workout in there), and nice weights.
We are members our our YMCA and pay $52/month for a family membership. This includes free cycling, yoga, and other fitness classes and 24 hour access to facilities.