Are Gym Memberships A Good Idea?

Gyms seem like they're everywhere. Most areas have a Planet Fitness, Powerhouse Gym, Snap Fitness, Anytime Fitness, or YMCA. People always talk about how they're going to the gym or had a great workout at the gym. Getting a gym membership seems like a good idea, right? Not necessarily. 

Gyms can be a good idea. All of the gyms offer free weights, weight machines, elipticals, and the runners favorite - treadmills. Some gyms even have pools too. These are things most people typically don't have at home. Having to take time to drive to the gym can be a good thing. Though the drive to the gym might not feel like the best drive (at times), once you're there you might feel like you want to make best use of your time and get a full workout in. There are usually other people there at the gym. This can help be a motivator. If you see other people working out, it might make you want to keep working out.

With that being said, gyms can also be a bad idea. Gyms have a cost. The membership cost of a gym is different from gym to gym. This could be a deal breaker. If you don't plan on going to the gym on a regular basis, it might not be worth the cost. Some gyms are really crowded and you constantly have to wait to for the machine or weights you want to use. The treadmills, elipticals and other machines might be in bad need of maintenance work, or these might be constantily 'out of order'. There's also the fun part of cancelling your membership if you don't need it or use it any more. Some gyms make this a tough process for some reason. It should be an easy process. You tell the gym you want to cancel your membership, your card is taken from you and your membership ends at that point.

If you do start thinking of joining a gym, make sure to do your research. There are some gyms that are better than others. You might be able to get a discount depending on what health insurance you have or the company you work at. Make sure getting a membership is something you can commit to, since it is something you will be paying money for.