Over the past month I've joined a new gym, started on a personalised programme, had Personal Training sessions and analysed membership costs, all as part of MoneySupermarket.com’s Gym for the Win campaign. Now we’ve reached the end of the campaign I felt a roundup of the experience might be useful.
As regular readers will know, I was a member of a gym that I used regularly prior to taking part in the campaign as part of my Charity Challenge training regime but this was well timed to coincide with a house move and enabled me not only to try a gym in my new locale but also see if a gym membership would be worth keeping up once I wasn’t in the depths of training.
Both my first and second membership fee analysis posts very definitely pointed to gym membership being good value and providing flexibility for someone on a training programme, even when the preference was for running outside. You can get some really great discounts and offers on membership fees if you look out for them (January and May seem to be popular for these) and some offer guest passes as well as discounts on services you normally have to pay for.
Finances aside, I really recommend gym membership. Gyms have so much to offer, from the standard CV and weights equipment, to classes, swimming pools, court hire, personal training and sometimes the benefit of being able to use multiple centres in the area run by the same company. I found my new gym to be friendly and well equipped, even though it was smaller than my previous one. I was able to use multiple centres and despite being at the tail end of my training, I still used the facilities a good deal.
Showing posts with label Gym for the Win. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gym for the Win. Show all posts
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Friday, 31 May 2013
Membership vs Non-member prices : Part 2
In my Membership vs Non-member prices : Part 1 post I looked at how much I'd saved by taking out a gym membership over 4 months whilst training for my Charity Challenges. At my new sports centre, over the past month, I carried out a similar exercise.
First month = £28
18 month Contract Membership = £29.95
Members deal on PT session = £10 (50% saving on a block of 10 @ £200)
PT sessions = 4
Gym sessions = 1
Swim sessions = 2
Total = 7
The cost of my first month's membership in May was £28 in May. I only used the facilities 7 times during the month, far less than I used my previous gym each month (an average of 13 times) but I have had more events in the calendar, I ran and cycled outside and I've been moving house too, so actually that's not bad.
If I'd paid full price for each of the sessions I'd have spent £109 so to date I've saved £81! The saving is so large because I've been having personal training sessions which are usually £30 a pop and I got a great members discount on a block of 10. I've decided to stick to using the gym. Even if I only go twice a week I'll save money by paying £29.95 a month and I get access to so many facilities and benefits.
Even if you're not training for events, or prefer exercising outside a gym membership is still a great investment but it's worth taking a little time to find one to suit you. Not all gyms are created equal.
First month = £28
18 month Contract Membership = £29.95
Members deal on PT session = £10 (50% saving on a block of 10 @ £200)
PT sessions = 4
Gym sessions = 1
Swim sessions = 2
Total = 7
The cost of my first month's membership in May was £28 in May. I only used the facilities 7 times during the month, far less than I used my previous gym each month (an average of 13 times) but I have had more events in the calendar, I ran and cycled outside and I've been moving house too, so actually that's not bad.
If I'd paid full price for each of the sessions I'd have spent £109 so to date I've saved £81! The saving is so large because I've been having personal training sessions which are usually £30 a pop and I got a great members discount on a block of 10. I've decided to stick to using the gym. Even if I only go twice a week I'll save money by paying £29.95 a month and I get access to so many facilities and benefits.
Even if you're not training for events, or prefer exercising outside a gym membership is still a great investment but it's worth taking a little time to find one to suit you. Not all gyms are created equal.
Thursday, 23 May 2013
In which I wish for DOMS
This week's training: 1200m swim, PT session, 1000m swim, 4 mile run
I realised this morning that I've now completed all the training sessions I'd set myself for the charity challenge. There is nothing left to tick off apart from the final challenge, the swim, and the drinking session afterwards. It's taken me a bit by surprise. I feel a little sad but also really chuffed, and you know there'll be another training plan on the horizon before too long!
On Tuesday I used the pool at one of the sister centres for the first time. The pool was lovely and warm and was marked into slow, medium and fast lanes, none of which were over crowded. The only downsides are that there are no enclosed/private showers and the cleaners seem to insist on cleaning the changing area while everyone's using it instead of before or after hours. This meant having to walk through whatever product they were cleaning the floor with, getting sprayed with the hose under the door of the changing cubicle as they rinsed and having them scrubbing and hosing *around* us as we used the mirrors and hairdryers! I mean seriously - DO IT AFTER HOURS! I don't appreciate having my work clothes sprayed with god knows what! I added to the list of complaints others had left with reception and hope it's taken on board. I used the pool again this morning, same thing.
Yesterday I had my first paid-for Personal Training session. I was going to use one of my membership pack vouchers to get the session for £12 rather than £30 but had a call from the centre during the afternoon touting 50% discounts on PT sessions "for the next hour only" so I booked up a block of ten (which I was going to do anyway) for £100 - bargain! Dave was very enthusiastic about the fact I'd booked up a whole ten... This time I’d opted to have a circuits-based session rather than Dave just supervise my programme. He promised to work me hard I have no DOMS today so I've asked that he work me harder next time. At this point I think he's still getting to know my preferences and limits. Next session arranged for next Friday.
Finally, this evening I met up with @amerbob for a run along the river. I was a bit nervous as it was the first time I'd met up with a twitter friend in real life but I decided to be brave. We escaped the rain and hail and chatted about all sorts. I think the first thing she said to me was about how tall I was... I guess I seem shorter on twitter :) She's lovely and chatty and fun and I'm sorry I'm moving away but hope we can still meet up for more runs.
So a fab week ahead of what promises to be a fun swim on Monday.
I realised this morning that I've now completed all the training sessions I'd set myself for the charity challenge. There is nothing left to tick off apart from the final challenge, the swim, and the drinking session afterwards. It's taken me a bit by surprise. I feel a little sad but also really chuffed, and you know there'll be another training plan on the horizon before too long!
On Tuesday I used the pool at one of the sister centres for the first time. The pool was lovely and warm and was marked into slow, medium and fast lanes, none of which were over crowded. The only downsides are that there are no enclosed/private showers and the cleaners seem to insist on cleaning the changing area while everyone's using it instead of before or after hours. This meant having to walk through whatever product they were cleaning the floor with, getting sprayed with the hose under the door of the changing cubicle as they rinsed and having them scrubbing and hosing *around* us as we used the mirrors and hairdryers! I mean seriously - DO IT AFTER HOURS! I don't appreciate having my work clothes sprayed with god knows what! I added to the list of complaints others had left with reception and hope it's taken on board. I used the pool again this morning, same thing.
Yesterday I had my first paid-for Personal Training session. I was going to use one of my membership pack vouchers to get the session for £12 rather than £30 but had a call from the centre during the afternoon touting 50% discounts on PT sessions "for the next hour only" so I booked up a block of ten (which I was going to do anyway) for £100 - bargain! Dave was very enthusiastic about the fact I'd booked up a whole ten... This time I’d opted to have a circuits-based session rather than Dave just supervise my programme. He promised to work me hard I have no DOMS today so I've asked that he work me harder next time. At this point I think he's still getting to know my preferences and limits. Next session arranged for next Friday.
Finally, this evening I met up with @amerbob for a run along the river. I was a bit nervous as it was the first time I'd met up with a twitter friend in real life but I decided to be brave. We escaped the rain and hail and chatted about all sorts. I think the first thing she said to me was about how tall I was... I guess I seem shorter on twitter :) She's lovely and chatty and fun and I'm sorry I'm moving away but hope we can still meet up for more runs.
So a fab week ahead of what promises to be a fun swim on Monday.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Membership vs Non-member prices : Part 1
In my first Gym for the Win post I mentioned that I'd geekily tracked how much I spent on membership and parking against what I'd have paid to use the facilities in the same way as a non member at the sport center I was a member of before the start of the campaign.
The results are thus:
First month = £20.12
Corporate membership = £35.70
(Standard membership = £42.00)
Gym sessions = 19
Classes = 19
Spin = 3
Swim sessions = 10
Total = 51
To date I've saved a whopping £178 by being a member over 4 months and 51 classes/sessions as opposed to paying by session.
It's worth pointing out, I think, that I most likely wouldn't have used the centre in the same way if I hadn't been a member. Most of my swim sessions were less than 30 minutes and my gym sessions only 30-45 on most occasions and I really think £8 is far too steep for less than an hour in the gym. So I'd have likely done more in one go in order to get value for money. Given I prefer to run outside I only used the gym for the bike, an occasional short run on the treadmill before class and the rare free weights session. But having a membership gave me the flexibility to just do half an hour in the pool or 20 minutes hard on the bike before a Body Pump class, which was great.
I'll be using my new centre(s) in a slightly different way and so I'll be tracking my savings again and I'll post the findings later in the month with my thoughts on the new centre vs the old and what I've found to be value for money, if anything!
The results are thus:
First month = £20.12
Corporate membership = £35.70
(Standard membership = £42.00)
Gym sessions = 19
Classes = 19
Spin = 3
Swim sessions = 10
Total = 51
To date I've saved a whopping £178 by being a member over 4 months and 51 classes/sessions as opposed to paying by session.
It's worth pointing out, I think, that I most likely wouldn't have used the centre in the same way if I hadn't been a member. Most of my swim sessions were less than 30 minutes and my gym sessions only 30-45 on most occasions and I really think £8 is far too steep for less than an hour in the gym. So I'd have likely done more in one go in order to get value for money. Given I prefer to run outside I only used the gym for the bike, an occasional short run on the treadmill before class and the rare free weights session. But having a membership gave me the flexibility to just do half an hour in the pool or 20 minutes hard on the bike before a Body Pump class, which was great.
I'll be using my new centre(s) in a slightly different way and so I'll be tracking my savings again and I'll post the findings later in the month with my thoughts on the new centre vs the old and what I've found to be value for money, if anything!
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Second date with Dave
Last night I had my follow up session with my PT, Dave. In our first session we'd gone through my stats and measurements to get a baseline and then spoken about my preferences and goals but not done a proper workout so this session was all about finding out what programme he'd dreamed up for me and trying it out.
My programme looks a little like this:
Cardio
Warm up - Bike, 5 mins, level 5, 80 RPM
Speed - Treadmill, Intervals, 10 mins, level 7
Glutes - Cross trainer, Reverse programme, 10 minutes, level 5
Core/Glutes
Hip rotators
Double crunches with medicine ball
Dynamic lunges (with weights)
Strength
Seated chest press
Tricep pull down
Lateral pull down
Leg extensions
It's designed to strengthen my glutes and core for running whilst improving my speed and build muscles that will help with my swimming. It would normally take no more than hour but took a little longer on this occasion as he talked me through the machines and settings. Most of the exercises felt a little easy so will be increased next time. I felt a little self conscious being watched while I worked out but we chatted quite a bit which was fun and I took the opportunity to quiz him about how he got into Personal Training. He's a real sweetie (and a bit of a flirt) and I really like him as a trainer and a person. He'd also printed off a beginners training plan for Sprint Triathlon to help shape my training outside of the gym (I didn't tell him it was this weekend).
I enjoyed the session and time passed very quickly but I finished feeling I hadn't really worked very hard, maybe because none of the components take very long or maybe because the settings were a little light/easy but I don't ache anywhere today. I would have stayed on and done some more but I'm aware the rest of my week is fairly active so thought better of it. Hopefully the adjustments will resolve that for next time. Now I know the routine I don't feel I need someone watching me do it so while I'm looking forward to working to the programme I'm going to use my next PT session (heavily discounted as part of my membership) to do something completely different and more circuit based where he can push me hard. Now THAT I'm looking forward to!
Once again I was impressed by how friendly all the staff are there. The guy who signed me up asked how Tough Mudder had gone - I hadn't expected him to remember - so I showed him my bruises. I've probably scared him off now...
My programme looks a little like this:
Cardio
Warm up - Bike, 5 mins, level 5, 80 RPM
Speed - Treadmill, Intervals, 10 mins, level 7
Glutes - Cross trainer, Reverse programme, 10 minutes, level 5
Core/Glutes
Hip rotators
Double crunches with medicine ball
Dynamic lunges (with weights)
Strength
Seated chest press
Tricep pull down
Lateral pull down
Leg extensions
It's designed to strengthen my glutes and core for running whilst improving my speed and build muscles that will help with my swimming. It would normally take no more than hour but took a little longer on this occasion as he talked me through the machines and settings. Most of the exercises felt a little easy so will be increased next time. I felt a little self conscious being watched while I worked out but we chatted quite a bit which was fun and I took the opportunity to quiz him about how he got into Personal Training. He's a real sweetie (and a bit of a flirt) and I really like him as a trainer and a person. He'd also printed off a beginners training plan for Sprint Triathlon to help shape my training outside of the gym (I didn't tell him it was this weekend).
I enjoyed the session and time passed very quickly but I finished feeling I hadn't really worked very hard, maybe because none of the components take very long or maybe because the settings were a little light/easy but I don't ache anywhere today. I would have stayed on and done some more but I'm aware the rest of my week is fairly active so thought better of it. Hopefully the adjustments will resolve that for next time. Now I know the routine I don't feel I need someone watching me do it so while I'm looking forward to working to the programme I'm going to use my next PT session (heavily discounted as part of my membership) to do something completely different and more circuit based where he can push me hard. Now THAT I'm looking forward to!
Once again I was impressed by how friendly all the staff are there. The guy who signed me up asked how Tough Mudder had gone - I hadn't expected him to remember - so I showed him my bruises. I've probably scared him off now...
Friday, 10 May 2013
I have a Personal Trainer. His name is Dave.
This week's training: 2 x swim (750m & 900m), 2 x run (4.8 miles & 1 mile), 2 x 30 minute bike, PT session
I feel on a bit of a plateau at the moment. Even though I'm probably doing almost as many sessions as I was pre-marathon and Tough Mudder it all feels a lot more manageable, so much so I almost feel as though I'm not trying! But I'm not complaining, this is far preferable to how I was feeling two weeks back; fed up with it all.
I had a lovely jog with my mum on Bank Holiday Monday in the morning sunshine, encouraging her and my battered legs through 4.8 miles. I was really looking forward to a swim on Tuesday night but misread the pool timetable so got there too late so went early on Wednesday and Thursday instead. I've said it before and I'll say it again: love my morning swims.
I finally got my bike out on the road at the tail end of the week. It's been sat, in bits, in the shed for, oooo, about 6 weeks! I've learnt how to remove and refit the wheels, fretted over not being able to adjust the seat height, then made friends with WD40, and finally got out on the road. There's a few cycle paths around here but the only real cycle routes are interim, hilly and wiggly. Put it this way, I'm not much of an explorer when it comes to running and even less so when cycling. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be and it's quelled a few fears about the triathlon.
The highlight of my week though, was my first session at my my new gym, one of the Harper's Fitness group, which I joined as part of the Gym for the Win campaign. I went in last Friday to pick up my membership pack and was immediately taken with how friendly the staff were. My membership includes unlimited access to the gym and classes at my "home" centre, unlimited access to the pools and facilities at other centres in the area as well as a number of "personal training" sessions. I had a great chat with the guy who'd signed me up about what we were up to at the weekend and after determining I was doing my first triathlon in a couple of weeks he booked me in with a trainer who is a triathlete, in order to give me more tailored advice.
I really enjoyed the session. My PT, Dave, is smiley, friendly, capable and older than me (my fear was it would be some 20-something muscle boy. Nothing against them but I took a real shine to Dave). We spent over half an hour talking, taking basic stats, discussion my aims and working out what my likes and dislikes are when it comes to workouts. I was a bit disappointed with my Body Fat %, although Dave said it wasn't anything to be concerned about. A few less cakes and a little more focused training should bring it down to "fitness" level as opposed to "acceptable" level. Initially, over the next 6 weeks I'll be working towards:
So all in all I'm feeling very positive about my training and the events I've got coming up and just to prove the point my latest addition to my list of upcoming events is The Colour Run which I entered on today. A more fun event you will not find - I can't wait!
I feel on a bit of a plateau at the moment. Even though I'm probably doing almost as many sessions as I was pre-marathon and Tough Mudder it all feels a lot more manageable, so much so I almost feel as though I'm not trying! But I'm not complaining, this is far preferable to how I was feeling two weeks back; fed up with it all.
I had a lovely jog with my mum on Bank Holiday Monday in the morning sunshine, encouraging her and my battered legs through 4.8 miles. I was really looking forward to a swim on Tuesday night but misread the pool timetable so got there too late so went early on Wednesday and Thursday instead. I've said it before and I'll say it again: love my morning swims.
I finally got my bike out on the road at the tail end of the week. It's been sat, in bits, in the shed for, oooo, about 6 weeks! I've learnt how to remove and refit the wheels, fretted over not being able to adjust the seat height, then made friends with WD40, and finally got out on the road. There's a few cycle paths around here but the only real cycle routes are interim, hilly and wiggly. Put it this way, I'm not much of an explorer when it comes to running and even less so when cycling. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be and it's quelled a few fears about the triathlon.
The highlight of my week though, was my first session at my my new gym, one of the Harper's Fitness group, which I joined as part of the Gym for the Win campaign. I went in last Friday to pick up my membership pack and was immediately taken with how friendly the staff were. My membership includes unlimited access to the gym and classes at my "home" centre, unlimited access to the pools and facilities at other centres in the area as well as a number of "personal training" sessions. I had a great chat with the guy who'd signed me up about what we were up to at the weekend and after determining I was doing my first triathlon in a couple of weeks he booked me in with a trainer who is a triathlete, in order to give me more tailored advice.
I really enjoyed the session. My PT, Dave, is smiley, friendly, capable and older than me (my fear was it would be some 20-something muscle boy. Nothing against them but I took a real shine to Dave). We spent over half an hour talking, taking basic stats, discussion my aims and working out what my likes and dislikes are when it comes to workouts. I was a bit disappointed with my Body Fat %, although Dave said it wasn't anything to be concerned about. A few less cakes and a little more focused training should bring it down to "fitness" level as opposed to "acceptable" level. Initially, over the next 6 weeks I'll be working towards:
- Strengthening my glutes
- Firming up my thighs and bum
- Improving my running speed to get new PBs of sub 25 minute 5k or sub 2 hour half marathon.
So all in all I'm feeling very positive about my training and the events I've got coming up and just to prove the point my latest addition to my list of upcoming events is The Colour Run which I entered on today. A more fun event you will not find - I can't wait!
Saturday, 4 May 2013
Gym For The Win
As you will all know, I've been using my local gym A LOT! I was lucky to get a good deal by combining a January deal with a corporate membership that I get by virtue of being part of the local running club and it's worked out really well. Being a bit of a geek I actually kept a spreadsheet tracking how much I spent on membership (and parking) against how much I would have spent as a non-member. It's all too easy to sign up to a gym with good intentions and not bother going, especially if you're not actually training for something specific, and this works out expensive!
I've just had to cancel my membership at my local sports centre (sob - I adore my centre) as I'm moving to a new area at the end of the month and need to find a new gym. But it just so happens that MoneySupermarket.com are offering bloggers the opportunity to try out their local gym for a whole month for free, in order to see whether or not it's worth the money and whether they'd be interested in keeping it up after the thirty days are over - in return for writing about their experiences! This is a perfect opportunity for me and it's also open to other bloggers.
So if you want to get involved, then click the image above or simply email competitions@moneysupermarket.com - it's dead easy, and the window to sign up lasts all the way through May. The first 200 people are guaranteed to get their month's membership paid for - so don't delay!
If you're not a blogger I'd encourage you to still get involved by making use of some of the guest pass and summer offers at the gyms at the moment and posting comments about your experiences here. Lots of gyms do rolling monthly contracts and let you switch to cheaper tariffs if you find you get on with it. Or maybe take the opportunity to join that local running club, dance class or ramblers group you've been meaning to. If nothing else I'll try to write some interesting and useful posts in relation to the campaign for you.
I'm joining my local Harpers gym for the month to see if it's worth the money. It'll be a good test as some of my membership will be during the tail end of my training and some while I'm not training.
For now, let me leave you with some food for thought from Emma Walker, Head of Protection at MoneySupermarket.com - "The health benefits of joining and using a gym can help with the cost of life insurance premiums. It's worth bearing in mind there are life insurance and critical illness policies that reward a healthy lifestyle by offering discounted gym membership."
I've just had to cancel my membership at my local sports centre (sob - I adore my centre) as I'm moving to a new area at the end of the month and need to find a new gym. But it just so happens that MoneySupermarket.com are offering bloggers the opportunity to try out their local gym for a whole month for free, in order to see whether or not it's worth the money and whether they'd be interested in keeping it up after the thirty days are over - in return for writing about their experiences! This is a perfect opportunity for me and it's also open to other bloggers.
So if you want to get involved, then click the image above or simply email competitions@moneysupermarket.com - it's dead easy, and the window to sign up lasts all the way through May. The first 200 people are guaranteed to get their month's membership paid for - so don't delay!
If you're not a blogger I'd encourage you to still get involved by making use of some of the guest pass and summer offers at the gyms at the moment and posting comments about your experiences here. Lots of gyms do rolling monthly contracts and let you switch to cheaper tariffs if you find you get on with it. Or maybe take the opportunity to join that local running club, dance class or ramblers group you've been meaning to. If nothing else I'll try to write some interesting and useful posts in relation to the campaign for you.
I'm joining my local Harpers gym for the month to see if it's worth the money. It'll be a good test as some of my membership will be during the tail end of my training and some while I'm not training.
For now, let me leave you with some food for thought from Emma Walker, Head of Protection at MoneySupermarket.com - "The health benefits of joining and using a gym can help with the cost of life insurance premiums. It's worth bearing in mind there are life insurance and critical illness policies that reward a healthy lifestyle by offering discounted gym membership."
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