Is lifetime fitness worth the $$ ?

[al320]

So i quit my gym (long story). I was spoiled, it was ONE mile away, nice, clean, small, and moderately priced. Really though, i only used it for spin and treadmill use (speedwork and the occasional run when running outside was weather-prohibited).

I have my swim team, and i have orange theory (for strength training and really what we do on the treadmills there is a kind of speedwork), i dont really *truly* need a gym. It just seems odd to not have one.

I considered testing out some spin studios, but none are that close by, and damn theyre pricey.
So i started to consider other gyms.

Theres a lifetime about 15-20 minutes from my house, and one close to my office. Im going to do a one week pass. But its double what my gym was....

Is it really worth it? I hear its amazing.

[bullsgirl]

I had a membership for about 6 months, and absolutely loved it. But, ultimately I just couldn't justify the cost when we needed to tighten the budget a little. If you have the money in your budget I have to say it is by far my favorite gym that I have belonged to, and I have been to all of them pretty much. I hope to join again one day.

[fuckyourcouch]

A friend is a manager there and she always says it's not. Lol

[mfluder]

I guess it depends on the ones available to you - I had one in my office building. It was only worth it because my employer paid most of the cost. It was worth the $25 I paid. I mean, super nice, clean, and new. I paid another (very worth it) $25 for a locker and laundry service. It was just small and limited hours (no weekends, no late nights). But I understand others were bigger with other schedules.

I would personally pick close and easy .

[thedutchgirl]

Depends on the level. I live in Minnesota, and it is headquartered here. So there are some awesome clubs. For me, it is worth it. If you already do Orange Theory, maybe it isn't worth it for you.

[Deleted]

I had one less than a mile away growing up (through high school) and it was amazing. Use it as a guest when back in my home state.

When on the road, there are a few hotels I stay at that provide guest passes to nearby Lifetimes. It is just fantastic.

I am biased because my regular gym is a total dump. I am pretty frugal, but would pay $100 / month for one easily.

[al320]

Jul 3, 2015 5:26:38 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

I had one less than a mile away growing up (through high school) and it was amazing. Use it as a guest when back in my home state.

When on the road, there are a few hotels I stay at that provide guest passes to nearby Lifetimes. It is just fantastic.

I am biased because my regular gym is a total dump. I am pretty frugal, but would pay $100 / month for one easily.

Yeah, its much more than that here.... lol

[runblondie26]

I belonged to one for a couple years when I lived in NJ. It was awesome. It also had the convenience factor going for it, since there was a big one about 3 miles from when I lived.

This was 10 yrs ago. Some other chains offer enough classes and equipment now to satisfy me for a fraction of the price.

Considering you have other options a like Orange Theory, swim team etc. to keep things interesting, I'm not sure it would be as worth it to you over a cheaper gym.

[gumi]

The best thing about it imo is the indoor and outdoor pool. And the daycare/kid activities (tablets, free kid yoga/karate/etc.) My kids have been going since babies, and it's where I broke my leg and face palmed during my first back flip so it has a lot of sentimental value to me.

I am also a member of the ymca bc it's 4 min from work. They only have an indoor pool, but they also have an indoor track and I find the gyms to be overall compareable.

Since you already have a swim team, I'd just join a $10 gym personally. No way would I want a gym 20 min away.

sent on phone

[Deleted]

al320 what's it cost!?

[al320]

Jul 3, 2015 9:08:07 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

al320 what's it cost!?

Ive been told its 150. Someone else said 130, but im guessing thats before tax and it ends up closer to 150. My other gym was 70.

[Deleted]

DAMN!!! I would really struggle at $150 per person, too.

I could convince myself to get up to $120/30 (because some of the classes they have are so great and the rock climbing wall alone --- though not all of them have the rock climbing walls...) But $150 per person - hm, no wonder they are so nice!!!!!

[jene]

Jul 3, 2015 9:12:40 GMT -5 al320 said:

Jul 3, 2015 9:08:07 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

al320 what's it cost!?

Ive been told its 150. Someone else said 130, but im guessing thats before tax and it ends up closer to 150. My other gym was 70.

I think mine was $140 when I lived in STL. They are nice, it was just too much for me at the time

[gumi]

Jul 3, 2015 9:18:50 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

DAMN!!! I would really struggle at $150 per person, too.

I could convince myself to get up to $120/30 (because some of the classes they have are so great and the rock climbing wall alone --- though not all of them have the rock climbing walls...) But $150 per person - hm, no wonder they are so nice!!!!!

it's not $150 everywhere. 

i have a grandfathered rate since i have been a member for such a long time...i think it's $70, which includes 2 kids ($5/mo for kid membership).  maybe its $100 for the non-grandfathered rate.

they also have tiers, bronze/silver/gold/platinum memberships AND they have tiers of clubs.  My club is a Silver. The one on the other side of town is a Gold. So, membership prices are higher at the Gold. I still dont think it is $150 though. MCL.

[gumi]

al320, I think monthly membership on its own is not a big factor, but rather convenience and how often you use it.

So, let's say you have a $30/mo membership but only go twice a month. That is $15 per visit, you are better off going to a spin studio. But if you go 3/week (13x/month) and have a $100/mo membership, that is only $7 per visit and worth it.

Since it's 20 min away and you have other commitments, a spin studio is probably a better deal.

[texassmith]

I LOVE Lifetime. I'm a member at a Platinum club, and I pay $77/month for myself, plus $20/month/kid to have access to the child center a max of 2 hours/day.

[al320]

Thanks everyone!

[venice2007]

Yes totally worth the money! I wish the Tampa one was closer!
I miss the one I belonged to in Michigan. Loved it!

[thedutchgirl]

I can't imagine it is $150. I have the highest membership level--Diamond--in the twin cities, and it is like $135 for me. You can get gold or platinum for quite a bit less.

[al320]

Jul 3, 2015 17:47:55 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

I can't imagine it is $150. I have the highest membership level--Diamond--in the twin cities, and it is like $135 for me. You can get gold or platinum for quite a bit less.

It ismhere. Im in nnj, there are plenty of gyms >100...but none are as nice as lifetime. Equinox is 130, no pool, but all those kiehls products lol

[thedutchgirl]

Jul 3, 2015 17:54:57 GMT -5 al320 said:

Jul 3, 2015 17:47:55 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

I can't imagine it is $150. I have the highest membership level--Diamond--in the twin cities, and it is like $135 for me. You can get gold or platinum for quite a bit less.

It ismhere. Im in nnj, there are plenty of gyms >100...but none are as nice as lifetime. Equinox is 130, no pool, but all those kiehls products lol

Good to know! Perhaps that's a cost of living thing too.