Lower-priced national chains:
* Snap Fitness (snap fitness.com) -- 24/7 access. Fees about $40 per month, deals on couple and family memberships. Month-to-month contract.
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Exercise some frugality
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday, January 10, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 58 words Type of Material: Correction
Gym memberships: A Jan. 5 report in the Health section on gym discounts said that through March 6, Curves was offering 50% off its monthly membership fee in addition to one free month. The 50% discount is for the one-time initiation fee only, not the monthly fees. Except for one free month, the monthly fees are full price.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Monday, January 19, 2009 Home Edition Health Part F Page 6 Features Desk 1 inches; 58 words Type of Material: Correction
Gym memberships: A Jan. 5 report in the Health section on gym discounts said that through March 6, Curves was offering 50% off its monthly membership fee in addition to one free month. The 50% discount is for the one-time initiation fee only, not the monthly fees. Except for one free month, the monthly fees are full price.
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* Anytime Fitness (anytime fitness.com) -- access 24/7, key fee of about $35, monthly rate about $35. May require year contract plus initiation fee of about $50. Ask for best deal.
* 24 Hour Fitness (24hour fitness.com). Monthly rate about $29; may require year contract plus initiation fee of about $50. Ask for best deal.
Other tips:
* Out of work? If you're locked into a year-long contract, ask the club if it will freeze your membership until you start working again, at least for a few months.
* Check payment details before you hand over your check or credit card. Best bet is a club that bills each month rather than via a deduction from a credit or checking account, though many clubs will insist on the deduction. You also don't want to be locked into a year contract, if possible -- you could change your mind or move.
* Before you sign, be sure you're clear on what's free and what you pay extra for. If classes are extra, you may want to find a club that includes them in the membership fee.
* Clubs often offer one or two personal training sessions free when you sign up. It's cool to have someone work with only you, but it's also expensive -- $50 to $300 per hour, on average. If that's not in your budget, consider these options: Ask for more free passes, ask trainers you like if they are ever on the floor to offer gratis coaching and find out if the club offers small training classes at rates well below the one-on-one sessions.
* Check your company benefits to see if free or discounted gym memberships are offered.
* Many health insurers offer discounts at specific gyms. Call the membership number on your insurance card or check the insurer's website.
* If your doctor prescribes a gym membership to help treat a problem such as arthritis, you may be able to use your flexible spending account -- a pretax account for medical expenses some firms set up for employees. Ask the doctor if a prescription is appropriate, then show it to the person at your firm who manages employee benefits and ask if your company will allow gym use to be covered by the account.
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health@latimes.com
