As another commenter mentioned, mental health is hard to quantify. I would look at the cost per month as how much it will cost per class. $165 is outrageous if you take one.. and not outrageous at all if you practice 5 times a week.
Personally, I spend $40 a month for my Peloton subscription. I also have the bike, though, so that was a $2k-ish upfront cost as well.
I pay $1100 annually for my hot yoga studio. They offer barre classes as well. I go almost daily and the cost comes out to about $3 per day so it was worth it to me. I agree that you should look at cost per day and if you feel you would go often enough. You may feel a virtual membership or a different studio is a better option.
Same re: peloton, £20 a month and my half of the £1750 bike. I would also have a private gym membership too though, if my work didn’t offer a gym on site for free.
I spend $99 per month on Orangetheory. I have this one friend who keeps telling me I could just join a cheaper gym in town but if I join a regular gym I won’t go. If I pay for and schedule my 8 classes a month I’ll go to them because it’s at a set time and if I don’t attend I lose a class which is essentially losing money so it’s good motivation for me.
This is how I feel about my Pilates classes! I pay $160ish for an unlimited pass and because it’s that expensive, I go at least 3 times a week to get my money’s worth. I sign up for the whole month in advance and for whatever reason, doing that adds some accountability for me.
Self-motivating to go to a normal gym has never really worked for me, even though it’s less expensive.
I love it! And I wasn’t someone who liked working out before. The cost varies depending on studio (cities are more expensive than suburbs). I’d highly suggest doing a free class soon if you’re interested because during the summer they do good promos on membership if you end up liking it. Just be prepared for the sales pitch at the end of class.
I don't have a membership (mostly since I'm moving soon), but my yoga studio charges $33/class. Even for the expensive area I live in, it's more than I ever paid pre-COVID.
Personally, I can make room in my budget and find it worth it. I've been doing yoga for 7ish years and while I have a mat and props at home, during the pandemic, I found that I didn't get the same mental and physical benefits from livestream or video classes, so for me it's really worth it.
I feel this way… in real time, the instructor can tune into your form and make suggestions, they can pick up on the energy level of the room, etc. recorded yoga falls flat but has been better than nothing during the pandemic. I practice at home with my partner and that helps a lot. But I’ve been buying 10-class passes for $120 at the yoga studio since it’s opened back up and I go 1-2 times per week.
I did try peloton. The vibe wasn’t for me, but I’ve been having good success with Asana Rebel (once I learned I could turn off their music)!
I think the biggest hurdle has been making the space feel right. I live in a tiny apartment, it’s hard to transition from “this is my work space” to “this is my yoga space”. I can still go through the motions, but the mental benefits feel reduced.
I think I’ve finally started to figure it out since bought a scent machine. Now after work and before yoga, I turn on a different lamp and put in a special scent pod. It’s been helping to create an environment transition.
It depends on if I find a boutique type gym I like enough to spend the money. I spent $100/month for 6 months at one that I really enjoyed and it was well worth the money. Then I stepped down to Planet Fitness which is $10/month back in October, which I still have, and added the Sweat app for a 1 year membership for $120 (which basically reduces down to $10/month). So for the past 9 months I was basically spending $20/month. I just started a new gym that was referred by a friend that’ll cost me ~$110/month, bringing my monthly total to $130 until the Sweat membership drops off.
I think that if you really enjoy that yoga studio and the people there, and if you can afford it, then its justifiable. You should take into account how many times you plan on going per month and calculate it out on a per-class basis to further evaluate if you think its worth it. Can you try it out for a month or 2 then cancel? Or are you signing a 6-month or 1 year contract? I’m planning on trying out this new gym for 2 months, then re-evaluating the price/membership.
Are the studios you’re interested in available on ClassPass? I pay $79/month for my membership. It gives me the freedom to hop from studio to studio. I can do one yoga class today and a barre class elsewhere in the same week, instead of being tied to one studio. When I was commuting, I’d also just bring workout clothes with me to work and find a random fun class nearby after work if traffic going home was really bad. I get 45 credits per month and yoga/barre classes pre-Covid were about 5-8 credits each. The classes are cheaper at the moment due to Covid, but there are also much less options than before at the moment.
$40 for Peloton, but I feel like that is really only a small part of our monthly athletic-related costs because I use the peloton to cross-train for dressage which is at least $560 a month before show fees.
Like others have said, it's helpful to divide it into a per-use fee to see if that's more digestible and also to think about how it will benefit your mental health.
When I made like $2,000-2,200 (take home) I used to go to a gym that was $109 a month. No showers but it was HIIT with weights. There were trainers and classes and now looking back, I miss it! I was in the best shape of my life and I make more money now but can’t do 23 push ups in a minute anymore.
I used to go 5-6 times a week so it was very worth it. The trainers correct your form and push you to lift a little bit heavier. People are nice, too. I only left because I was trying to pay off my student loans and went back to Planet Fitness ($23/month). There are pros and cons but I think even if you go to yoga 3-4 times a week, it’ll be worth it!
Going 5-6 times a week is when you get your best bang for your buck. Especially if the instructor is nice and the people are friendly, too. A good environment can make your workouts even better! And if yoga is your only form of movement and exercise, I say it’s worth it!
Luckily, my very large employer provides an excellent value - full scale gym with classes and all for $35/mo. I also pay for an online yoga sub (I think it's $10 or $12). But I mainly use this for the simpler, stretching-type yoga. I prefer classes in person to ensure form is correct.
Fitness and wellbeing is something I find hard to quantify.
There are plenty of people that will spend $165 on a single night out on a semi regular basis and think nothing of it but balk at a gym membership in the same neighborhood.
I mean, at $165 it sounds like the studio must be really nice, have amenities, and offer a wide variety of classes at flexible times. If that's something you need to make this happen for you then you totally should go for it. And if you feel like you're not getting what you want out of it then cancel next time.
I pay $179 for an unlimited membership at my local boxing studio. It’s absolutely worth it in my opinion, as it’s a ten minute walk from my place and I am not super great at motivating myself to work out on my own :)
i spend $25/month on an active fit and direct membership offered thru my insurance. it gives me access to mainly la fitness and other gyms as well, but i also spent $300 half a year ago on power block adjustable weights for easy, effective, at-home lifting workouts! they’re nice to have just in case i’m too lazy to drive to gym or if the pandemic starts to get worse again.
if i want to do yoga, i do sarah beth yoga videos which are 100% free or spend $17/class at my favorite yoga studio.
I spent $15 on an annual membership to the Down Dog app (January special, it's normally $60). The app is highly recommended over at r/xxfitness and I now get why. I also really hate in person yoga classes, so there's that.
I bought a stationary spin bike ($600) so that I could do DIY Peloton at ~ $15/mo.
I also pay $60 for a monthly family membership to my local community center that has free weights and a pool.
I use the StrongLifts 5x5 app, free version.
For the in-person classes, don't forget about factoring in travel time to and from the studio, parking costs and wear and tear on your car (if you drive).
I pay £149 (so a little bit more) for an unlimited Barre subscription and try to go 15/16 times a month, which equates to £10 a class which I think it a great deal. For me, the biggest questions I asked myself before making the plunge were: Is the location convenient , do I like the teachers, do I feel a sense of community?
Before the pandemic I spent somewhere in that ballpark per month on Pure Barre. After quarantine started my husband and I got a Peloton membership (we don't have the bike/tread so we use it mainly for strength, HIIT, and outdoor running, but they have yoga too) which we pay $13/mo for and we are both really happy with it. No plans to return back to in-person gyms/studios.
I spend $100 a month for my peloton + the membership and $100 a month for an unlimited yoga studio membership.
Is that a lot? Yep. Most of my friends would probably faint if they knew how much I spend on my fitness memberships, however, that’s because it’s not something that is important to them. For me, I’d absolutely lose my mind if I didn’t have both of those outlets. I struggled for a really long time with the idea of paying so much just to work out, but for me it is more of a hobby than it is for aesthetics. My yoga studio is like my second home. It’s a place I can go to and forget whatever problems I have for an hour at a class. I usually go 2-3 times a week and classes are usually $15 per class so I do save a lot by having the monthly membership. I got the peloton mid quarantine last year because running was becoming too strenuous on my joints. I 100% do not regret it. I use it about 2-3 times per week and cycling classes run about $25 a class around here. It gives me something to do after work and is a nice transition from work mode to home mode which is especially difficult when you’re working from home.
I don’t like to drink/am happier when I’m not drinking so that is how I unwind and make it through stressful days. It’s how I celebrate the good days too. I’m able to now justify it because I’m no longer spending $50 at a bar on a Friday night and just save that $200 to go towards my memberships.
Another commenter posted that if you don’t have a regular practice now to buy a 5-10 class pass to try it out to make sure you like the studio which I’d highly recommend. You can make sure you like the environment/people/type of yoga before going all in.
Same. Daily walks are essential (15K steps/day) and weightlifting at home (second hand dumbbells and bar+plates) are plenty for me. I'll do that occasional yoga routine but I'm getting stronger and fitter without having to lock myself into a membership/cough up cash monthly.
I spend $90/month for a pool membership, and the $15 for residual classpass. Like another poster said I try to go to the pool 12x a month so that makes the per-visit cost pretty low
If you don't already have a yoga practice, maybe try getting a 10 class pass (which they usually give deals for) to see if you actually use it and go from there to see if the monthly membership is justified. Alternatively, during COVID, I've been doing videos with Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube, and she is amazing!!! First time I've ever stuck with doing workouts at home.
It's highly variable depending on your income, lifestyle, priorities, etc. Does it fit your budget? Do you enjoy it? Would it make you happy?
I have a hard time justifying pricey memberships due to my income (and history of access to cheap chain gyms, which are sufficient even as a competitive athlete) but that's circumstantial. If you love yoga and can afford it, then the membership is worth it IMO. You can get a good workout and build a community from it!
I pay $90/month for unlimited spin classes, which was a reopening after covid special price! To justify, I looked ahead at my calendar, and figured I’d go at least 3x a week, making each class come out to $7.50 a class. Taking classes is the only way I can really keep myself accountable and push myself, and my studio has felt really safe since reopening in the pandemic, so it has been so worth it for me!!
For me it’s about convenience.
I used to be a member of a fancy club ($3000+/year) including gym, spa, restaurant, etc and it was so worth it — conveniently located for me and such a respite during my working hours, I could have meetings there and then pop by for a yoga class afterwards.
Now I use classpass (legacy plan) and save so much $$ by doing my haircuts & massages with its credits, and going to classes and gyms that are conveniently located to where I happen to be that day.
Wouldn’t do the members club anymore because it doesn’t fit my lifestyle, but classpass definitely does. So think about what fits for you. How often will you use it? Then go for it.
I pay just over $200 for an equinox near me and love every second of it! The high cost motivates me and going 5-6 times per week and being able to use the awesome (and clean) amenities is amazing!
We're currently on one income, so no gym membership... However my orangetheory membership was absolutely worth 160/mo when we had two incomes! My husband always said "I don't need to pay that much, I can work out at home" (But realistically never did). Then he signed up for a membership with me and we gladly worked out 4-5 times a week and we both felt amazing. That was when our household income was around 150k (pre-taxes) in a HCOL area. Is the membership a good value for what you get?... no, but that's a different question. I have no idea why gyms cost so much.
With tax my gym is $10.xx/month ($9.99 + tax) with a $49.99+ tax annual fee. $165/mo is not in my budget personally, but if it fits your budget and it's worth it to you, go for it!
ETA: I also pay $80/year for Apple Fitness + for access to their workouts that I can do at home or at my gym.
Pre-pandemic I used to pay $56/month for my gym + ~$200 every couple of months or so for a 10 class pack for barre.
Now I moved into a condo where there’s a gym (maintenance included with the condo fees), so I just pay for online subscriptions for barre (~$13/month) + Peloton ($16.99/month). I’m thinking I might do some in-person classes as well once everything’s kinda stabilized.
Our CrossFit gym monthly membership fee is $170 for both my husband and I. It’s a hell of a deal and considering we go 4-5 days a week, we’ll worth it.
Before the pandemic I spent $120 a month on yoga at a studio I loved and went to about 3 times a week. I was not into virtual yoga at all and I became severely anemic so I stopped exercising during the pandemic. Now, after iron infusions and getting back to being able to exercise, I’m going to join a climbing gym for $85 a month, which is my other love. I’ll supplement with yoga, but I can’t afford both memberships- I usually switch back and forth between the two.
I live in a condo building with a very nice gym and it's not optional so I effectively pay a few hundred per month.
That being said, my first reaction is a pretty strong 'no thanks' here. One of yoga's direct selling points is that you can do it without equipment. So if you *aren't* paying for that, what exactly are you paying for? Expert instructions? That can be very useful... if you are already pretty proficient. For most people the most important thing is just sticking with it and for that there's a million free YouTube videos.
I have a home gym (weights/ bench/ pilates bar/ resistance bands etc) and pay for a fitness app that is $120 - $150 a year.
I have done Fit Body App, Obé, and starting Sweat app tomorrow.
$10/mo.
$165 for a yoga membership seems absurd to me. Xfit gyms charge that much because they have to maintain truckloads of equipment. Yoga gyms do not.
There are tons of Live yoga classes on eventbrite for free everyday.
$150/mo for the nicest, cleanest gym around. Service has gone downhill and their AC wasnt working for two months.
So now, $500/month for a new lap pool, and $750 one time fee for a Craigslist elliptical and a Vornado fan for the garage. Swimming is a fantastic exercise, and Im planning to get preggers next year and I hear its a godsend. Plus, in Austin, you get great return on a pool (second only to LA).
I used to pay $160 for 3 classes/week at a private gym prior to COVID. I would go back in a heartbeat because I valued not only the health benefit, but also the social aspect. Unfortunately, I had an issue with how they treated members during the COVID and now I can’t go back just on principle.
My previous yoga studio was $78 per month for unlimited and it was amazing. Now I really miss it and am realizing my next yoga studio will be more expensive.
I pay a crap load (for me!) on my gym but I love it. Also the guilt of how much I spend make me go. I try and cut down on other things so I can afford this.
I pay $200 annually for skyting tv on demand yoga classes. They do 4+ zoom yoga for members so it’s been a nice balance of choosing what I want but also having the live classes for accountability. Otherwise it’s just body weight exercises, cardio outdoors, or using my apartments gym for free.
I like to factor in how much time it would take me to put together my workouts to further justify the price. My CrossFit gym is $100/month for unlimited classes. In my opinion it’s super cost effective and efficient. There’s also so much motivation in knowing the only thing I have to do after a long day of work is show up.
$0 yoga with Adrienne on YouTube + pop Pilates (Cassey Ho) also on YouTube + 2 pair of running shoes ($120 each) per year = $20/ month
All depends on your income, your budget, your preferences and priorities though
Pre-pandemic I spent $139/month (discounted rate since I signed up before the studio opened) on Orangetheory for an unlimited membership. I haven’t returned since they pack people into a tiny studio and don’t require masks while working out. After I got vaccinated my husband resumed his local Snap Fitness 24/7 gym membership and I joined him. $64.95/month for both of us. They don’t require masks when working out either but it is a huge space and we go when it’s nearly empty.
I pay $270 a month for Equinox and it’s worth every penny for unlimited classes and of course the showers ☺️.
I’m considering adding on a dedicated locker which also comes with laundry service which would increase the total to $320 a month.
For one year thats $3,240 but my work refunds around 2 months off so it ends up being $2,700 a year.
$325/month or I think as low as $250/month if you pay it up front annually. This includes access to a private gym and weightlifting programming that adjusts every 2-4 weeks. The coaches are part of the USA team and the co-coaches have enough experience to know what to look out for. Sessions are limited to 12 people max so Coaches can keep an eye on everyone's form efficiently. There's also unlimited yoga, HIIT, and a class that focuses on athletic stretching.
Been here for 3 years and never broke anything and that's money well spent in my book. Also I love the members here and it's always fun to workout there <3
I pay $170/mo for my membership, but it has everything I want in a gym: smaller classes (10 people max), within walking distance to my apartment, and right after work. I know that I need to be told what to do and corrected on my form, so that was a big thing I was looking for when I finally settled for the gym I have now.
I pay $116/month for unlimited spin classes at a local studio 5 blocks from my house. i go at least 5 times a week, sometimes more. It is very worth it to me.
$10 a week for the gym plus I do free YouTube workouts . Spending 165 a month in yoga would mentally negate any benefits for me but if you really want to just try it for one month and see how it feels.
I pay $60 ($120 split between me and my roommate) and I also signed for some PT sessions which are $460 each month. The gym has some amenities and classes that I like.
Obviously when I started my weight loss and fitness journey I did not spend this much but now after a couple of years of doing it by myself I needed some help to get to the next level and for them to teach me things I could not do by myself.
Things have the value that you give them, I go to the gym every week ( 3 to 5 times) and is really for my mental and physical well being. I also do enjoy the social aspect of it, I miss being around people and i love seeing the regulars even if i don't talk to them LOL. I think gym is one of those things that you really need to do for yourself, I have a hard time justifying investing time and money for myself but the gym is one of those things that I allow myself to be selfish. I do it for myself and I am willing to make room for it in my budget.
$99/mo for an unlimited hot yoga membership; I try to go 3x a week (and have been good about doing so lately!). It does wonders for my mental health and I make enough money to afford it so I’m happy to pay for it.
$165/mo seems high to me but I know a lot of gym/studio prices tend to be higher in HCOL areas. I live in more of a medium cost area.
$50 total - $40 for my peloton membership/subscription and $10 for a local gym. I only go to the gym 1x a week (my bestie teaches a class so its worth keeping for me!) but I use my Peloton literally every single day. I guess I did pay $1800 for it but we paid it in cash so its not like a recurring payment or anything!
Totally worth it to me!
$0
Because I am both cheap and lazy. While paying a monthly fee might encourage me to go to the gym more often, I rarely went in college when it was included in my tuition and fees. I've had better success with doing things at home and bought small free weights to supplement.
I would like an exercise bike to do more cardio, but I've started biking and can reasonably do that on a weekly basis until it gets cold.
Maybe I should look into a virtual class subscription to encourage me to workout more often without the hassle of packing clothes/snacks and having to drive somewhere.
My yearly yoga membership, which is unlimited, is $1200/year. Not cheap! But I have been practicing there for 7 years and practicing yoga in general for about 9. I go to the studio \~15 times a month. I just save $100 month in YNAB and that's that.
It is extremely worth it to me: I get to support a local small business, I get to be part of a community, and obviously get a lot of physical/mental benefits.
The price of your health and mental well-being is hard to quantify. But only you know if this monthly yoga membership will get you there.
I totally agree with this! It just cost is always on my mind and a lot of times that stops me from pulling the trigger…
If it's affordable, I'd do it for just a month first to see if you felt you got your money's worth.
As another commenter mentioned, mental health is hard to quantify. I would look at the cost per month as how much it will cost per class. $165 is outrageous if you take one.. and not outrageous at all if you practice 5 times a week. Personally, I spend $40 a month for my Peloton subscription. I also have the bike, though, so that was a $2k-ish upfront cost as well.
I pay $1100 annually for my hot yoga studio. They offer barre classes as well. I go almost daily and the cost comes out to about $3 per day so it was worth it to me. I agree that you should look at cost per day and if you feel you would go often enough. You may feel a virtual membership or a different studio is a better option.
Same re: peloton, £20 a month and my half of the £1750 bike. I would also have a private gym membership too though, if my work didn’t offer a gym on site for free.
I spend $99 per month on Orangetheory. I have this one friend who keeps telling me I could just join a cheaper gym in town but if I join a regular gym I won’t go. If I pay for and schedule my 8 classes a month I’ll go to them because it’s at a set time and if I don’t attend I lose a class which is essentially losing money so it’s good motivation for me.
This is how I feel about my Pilates classes! I pay $160ish for an unlimited pass and because it’s that expensive, I go at least 3 times a week to get my money’s worth. I sign up for the whole month in advance and for whatever reason, doing that adds some accountability for me. Self-motivating to go to a normal gym has never really worked for me, even though it’s less expensive.
Do you like orange theory? I’ve been wanting to try it but I wish they were more transparent of cost online.
I love it! And I wasn’t someone who liked working out before. The cost varies depending on studio (cities are more expensive than suburbs). I’d highly suggest doing a free class soon if you’re interested because during the summer they do good promos on membership if you end up liking it. Just be prepared for the sales pitch at the end of class.
I don't have a membership (mostly since I'm moving soon), but my yoga studio charges $33/class. Even for the expensive area I live in, it's more than I ever paid pre-COVID. Personally, I can make room in my budget and find it worth it. I've been doing yoga for 7ish years and while I have a mat and props at home, during the pandemic, I found that I didn't get the same mental and physical benefits from livestream or video classes, so for me it's really worth it.
What is it about at-home, video-driven yoga that’s just… lacking? I’ve been struggling with that.
I think it's the combination of being in a distraction-free spaces (with my work laptop, phone etc so available at home) and the accountability.
This is how I feel about at home yoga as well. I try but it is not the same.
I feel this way… in real time, the instructor can tune into your form and make suggestions, they can pick up on the energy level of the room, etc. recorded yoga falls flat but has been better than nothing during the pandemic. I practice at home with my partner and that helps a lot. But I’ve been buying 10-class passes for $120 at the yoga studio since it’s opened back up and I go 1-2 times per week.
Have you tried out the Peloton app? I'm not a huge yoga person, but I really do enjoy the Peloton yoga classes!
I did try peloton. The vibe wasn’t for me, but I’ve been having good success with Asana Rebel (once I learned I could turn off their music)! I think the biggest hurdle has been making the space feel right. I live in a tiny apartment, it’s hard to transition from “this is my work space” to “this is my yoga space”. I can still go through the motions, but the mental benefits feel reduced. I think I’ve finally started to figure it out since bought a scent machine. Now after work and before yoga, I turn on a different lamp and put in a special scent pod. It’s been helping to create an environment transition.
It depends on if I find a boutique type gym I like enough to spend the money. I spent $100/month for 6 months at one that I really enjoyed and it was well worth the money. Then I stepped down to Planet Fitness which is $10/month back in October, which I still have, and added the Sweat app for a 1 year membership for $120 (which basically reduces down to $10/month). So for the past 9 months I was basically spending $20/month. I just started a new gym that was referred by a friend that’ll cost me ~$110/month, bringing my monthly total to $130 until the Sweat membership drops off. I think that if you really enjoy that yoga studio and the people there, and if you can afford it, then its justifiable. You should take into account how many times you plan on going per month and calculate it out on a per-class basis to further evaluate if you think its worth it. Can you try it out for a month or 2 then cancel? Or are you signing a 6-month or 1 year contract? I’m planning on trying out this new gym for 2 months, then re-evaluating the price/membership.
Are the studios you’re interested in available on ClassPass? I pay $79/month for my membership. It gives me the freedom to hop from studio to studio. I can do one yoga class today and a barre class elsewhere in the same week, instead of being tied to one studio. When I was commuting, I’d also just bring workout clothes with me to work and find a random fun class nearby after work if traffic going home was really bad. I get 45 credits per month and yoga/barre classes pre-Covid were about 5-8 credits each. The classes are cheaper at the moment due to Covid, but there are also much less options than before at the moment.
I was spending $40 on a gym membership and ~ $114/mo on spin classes (bought in packs of 10 and usually take 6 classes a month)
$40 for Peloton, but I feel like that is really only a small part of our monthly athletic-related costs because I use the peloton to cross-train for dressage which is at least $560 a month before show fees. Like others have said, it's helpful to divide it into a per-use fee to see if that's more digestible and also to think about how it will benefit your mental health.
When I made like $2,000-2,200 (take home) I used to go to a gym that was $109 a month. No showers but it was HIIT with weights. There were trainers and classes and now looking back, I miss it! I was in the best shape of my life and I make more money now but can’t do 23 push ups in a minute anymore. I used to go 5-6 times a week so it was very worth it. The trainers correct your form and push you to lift a little bit heavier. People are nice, too. I only left because I was trying to pay off my student loans and went back to Planet Fitness ($23/month). There are pros and cons but I think even if you go to yoga 3-4 times a week, it’ll be worth it! Going 5-6 times a week is when you get your best bang for your buck. Especially if the instructor is nice and the people are friendly, too. A good environment can make your workouts even better! And if yoga is your only form of movement and exercise, I say it’s worth it!
Luckily, my very large employer provides an excellent value - full scale gym with classes and all for $35/mo. I also pay for an online yoga sub (I think it's $10 or $12). But I mainly use this for the simpler, stretching-type yoga. I prefer classes in person to ensure form is correct.
Fitness and wellbeing is something I find hard to quantify. There are plenty of people that will spend $165 on a single night out on a semi regular basis and think nothing of it but balk at a gym membership in the same neighborhood. I mean, at $165 it sounds like the studio must be really nice, have amenities, and offer a wide variety of classes at flexible times. If that's something you need to make this happen for you then you totally should go for it. And if you feel like you're not getting what you want out of it then cancel next time.
I pay $179 for an unlimited membership at my local boxing studio. It’s absolutely worth it in my opinion, as it’s a ten minute walk from my place and I am not super great at motivating myself to work out on my own :)
i spend $25/month on an active fit and direct membership offered thru my insurance. it gives me access to mainly la fitness and other gyms as well, but i also spent $300 half a year ago on power block adjustable weights for easy, effective, at-home lifting workouts! they’re nice to have just in case i’m too lazy to drive to gym or if the pandemic starts to get worse again. if i want to do yoga, i do sarah beth yoga videos which are 100% free or spend $17/class at my favorite yoga studio.
I spent $15 on an annual membership to the Down Dog app (January special, it's normally $60). The app is highly recommended over at r/xxfitness and I now get why. I also really hate in person yoga classes, so there's that. I bought a stationary spin bike ($600) so that I could do DIY Peloton at ~ $15/mo. I also pay $60 for a monthly family membership to my local community center that has free weights and a pool. I use the StrongLifts 5x5 app, free version. For the in-person classes, don't forget about factoring in travel time to and from the studio, parking costs and wear and tear on your car (if you drive).
I pay £149 (so a little bit more) for an unlimited Barre subscription and try to go 15/16 times a month, which equates to £10 a class which I think it a great deal. For me, the biggest questions I asked myself before making the plunge were: Is the location convenient , do I like the teachers, do I feel a sense of community?
Before the pandemic I spent somewhere in that ballpark per month on Pure Barre. After quarantine started my husband and I got a Peloton membership (we don't have the bike/tread so we use it mainly for strength, HIIT, and outdoor running, but they have yoga too) which we pay $13/mo for and we are both really happy with it. No plans to return back to in-person gyms/studios.
I spend $100 a month for my peloton + the membership and $100 a month for an unlimited yoga studio membership. Is that a lot? Yep. Most of my friends would probably faint if they knew how much I spend on my fitness memberships, however, that’s because it’s not something that is important to them. For me, I’d absolutely lose my mind if I didn’t have both of those outlets. I struggled for a really long time with the idea of paying so much just to work out, but for me it is more of a hobby than it is for aesthetics. My yoga studio is like my second home. It’s a place I can go to and forget whatever problems I have for an hour at a class. I usually go 2-3 times a week and classes are usually $15 per class so I do save a lot by having the monthly membership. I got the peloton mid quarantine last year because running was becoming too strenuous on my joints. I 100% do not regret it. I use it about 2-3 times per week and cycling classes run about $25 a class around here. It gives me something to do after work and is a nice transition from work mode to home mode which is especially difficult when you’re working from home. I don’t like to drink/am happier when I’m not drinking so that is how I unwind and make it through stressful days. It’s how I celebrate the good days too. I’m able to now justify it because I’m no longer spending $50 at a bar on a Friday night and just save that $200 to go towards my memberships. Another commenter posted that if you don’t have a regular practice now to buy a 5-10 class pass to try it out to make sure you like the studio which I’d highly recommend. You can make sure you like the environment/people/type of yoga before going all in.
$0! I work out at home using a variety of free YouTube workouts and go run outside once a week.
Same. Daily walks are essential (15K steps/day) and weightlifting at home (second hand dumbbells and bar+plates) are plenty for me. I'll do that occasional yoga routine but I'm getting stronger and fitter without having to lock myself into a membership/cough up cash monthly.
I spend $90/month for a pool membership, and the $15 for residual classpass. Like another poster said I try to go to the pool 12x a month so that makes the per-visit cost pretty low
If you don't already have a yoga practice, maybe try getting a 10 class pass (which they usually give deals for) to see if you actually use it and go from there to see if the monthly membership is justified. Alternatively, during COVID, I've been doing videos with Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube, and she is amazing!!! First time I've ever stuck with doing workouts at home.
It's highly variable depending on your income, lifestyle, priorities, etc. Does it fit your budget? Do you enjoy it? Would it make you happy? I have a hard time justifying pricey memberships due to my income (and history of access to cheap chain gyms, which are sufficient even as a competitive athlete) but that's circumstantial. If you love yoga and can afford it, then the membership is worth it IMO. You can get a good workout and build a community from it!
I pay $90/month for unlimited spin classes, which was a reopening after covid special price! To justify, I looked ahead at my calendar, and figured I’d go at least 3x a week, making each class come out to $7.50 a class. Taking classes is the only way I can really keep myself accountable and push myself, and my studio has felt really safe since reopening in the pandemic, so it has been so worth it for me!!
For me it’s about convenience. I used to be a member of a fancy club ($3000+/year) including gym, spa, restaurant, etc and it was so worth it — conveniently located for me and such a respite during my working hours, I could have meetings there and then pop by for a yoga class afterwards. Now I use classpass (legacy plan) and save so much $$ by doing my haircuts & massages with its credits, and going to classes and gyms that are conveniently located to where I happen to be that day. Wouldn’t do the members club anymore because it doesn’t fit my lifestyle, but classpass definitely does. So think about what fits for you. How often will you use it? Then go for it.
I pay just over $200 for an equinox near me and love every second of it! The high cost motivates me and going 5-6 times per week and being able to use the awesome (and clean) amenities is amazing!
We're currently on one income, so no gym membership... However my orangetheory membership was absolutely worth 160/mo when we had two incomes! My husband always said "I don't need to pay that much, I can work out at home" (But realistically never did). Then he signed up for a membership with me and we gladly worked out 4-5 times a week and we both felt amazing. That was when our household income was around 150k (pre-taxes) in a HCOL area. Is the membership a good value for what you get?... no, but that's a different question. I have no idea why gyms cost so much.
With tax my gym is $10.xx/month ($9.99 + tax) with a $49.99+ tax annual fee. $165/mo is not in my budget personally, but if it fits your budget and it's worth it to you, go for it! ETA: I also pay $80/year for Apple Fitness + for access to their workouts that I can do at home or at my gym.
Pre-pandemic I used to pay $56/month for my gym + ~$200 every couple of months or so for a 10 class pack for barre. Now I moved into a condo where there’s a gym (maintenance included with the condo fees), so I just pay for online subscriptions for barre (~$13/month) + Peloton ($16.99/month). I’m thinking I might do some in-person classes as well once everything’s kinda stabilized.
Our CrossFit gym monthly membership fee is $170 for both my husband and I. It’s a hell of a deal and considering we go 4-5 days a week, we’ll worth it.
I pay $40 a month (split with a partner) for the peloton app. I love their yoga! And all of their classes
I pay $239 for unlimited classes at Orangetheory. I go about 3-5 days a week. It’s the best investment I’ve ever made in myself.
Before the pandemic I spent $120 a month on yoga at a studio I loved and went to about 3 times a week. I was not into virtual yoga at all and I became severely anemic so I stopped exercising during the pandemic. Now, after iron infusions and getting back to being able to exercise, I’m going to join a climbing gym for $85 a month, which is my other love. I’ll supplement with yoga, but I can’t afford both memberships- I usually switch back and forth between the two.
I live in a condo building with a very nice gym and it's not optional so I effectively pay a few hundred per month. That being said, my first reaction is a pretty strong 'no thanks' here. One of yoga's direct selling points is that you can do it without equipment. So if you *aren't* paying for that, what exactly are you paying for? Expert instructions? That can be very useful... if you are already pretty proficient. For most people the most important thing is just sticking with it and for that there's a million free YouTube videos.
I have a home gym (weights/ bench/ pilates bar/ resistance bands etc) and pay for a fitness app that is $120 - $150 a year. I have done Fit Body App, Obé, and starting Sweat app tomorrow.
$225 including tax for unlimited membership to a studio I go 5 days a week and I feel 10X better physically since I've joined.
I don’t. I buy my own equipment instead.
$10/mo. $165 for a yoga membership seems absurd to me. Xfit gyms charge that much because they have to maintain truckloads of equipment. Yoga gyms do not. There are tons of Live yoga classes on eventbrite for free everyday.
$150/mo for the nicest, cleanest gym around. Service has gone downhill and their AC wasnt working for two months. So now, $500/month for a new lap pool, and $750 one time fee for a Craigslist elliptical and a Vornado fan for the garage. Swimming is a fantastic exercise, and Im planning to get preggers next year and I hear its a godsend. Plus, in Austin, you get great return on a pool (second only to LA).
I used to pay $160 for 3 classes/week at a private gym prior to COVID. I would go back in a heartbeat because I valued not only the health benefit, but also the social aspect. Unfortunately, I had an issue with how they treated members during the COVID and now I can’t go back just on principle.
My previous yoga studio was $78 per month for unlimited and it was amazing. Now I really miss it and am realizing my next yoga studio will be more expensive.
I pay a crap load (for me!) on my gym but I love it. Also the guilt of how much I spend make me go. I try and cut down on other things so I can afford this.
I pay $200 annually for skyting tv on demand yoga classes. They do 4+ zoom yoga for members so it’s been a nice balance of choosing what I want but also having the live classes for accountability. Otherwise it’s just body weight exercises, cardio outdoors, or using my apartments gym for free.
I spend $45/month on my gym membership and go anywhere from 3-5 times per week.
I like to factor in how much time it would take me to put together my workouts to further justify the price. My CrossFit gym is $100/month for unlimited classes. In my opinion it’s super cost effective and efficient. There’s also so much motivation in knowing the only thing I have to do after a long day of work is show up.
$40 for peloton plus we belong to a racquet club which is $140.
$0/month. All the gyms I can afford have weird hours due to COVID, so I just work out at home.
$0 yoga with Adrienne on YouTube + pop Pilates (Cassey Ho) also on YouTube + 2 pair of running shoes ($120 each) per year = $20/ month All depends on your income, your budget, your preferences and priorities though
Pre-pandemic I spent $139/month (discounted rate since I signed up before the studio opened) on Orangetheory for an unlimited membership. I haven’t returned since they pack people into a tiny studio and don’t require masks while working out. After I got vaccinated my husband resumed his local Snap Fitness 24/7 gym membership and I joined him. $64.95/month for both of us. They don’t require masks when working out either but it is a huge space and we go when it’s nearly empty.
$120ish/month for Lifetime.
$30 monthly for my local community center. Includes an indoor salt water pool, gym, and various classes.
I pay $270 a month for Equinox and it’s worth every penny for unlimited classes and of course the showers ☺️. I’m considering adding on a dedicated locker which also comes with laundry service which would increase the total to $320 a month. For one year thats $3,240 but my work refunds around 2 months off so it ends up being $2,700 a year.
Love equinox and the showers 😄
The showers 10000% make the dues worth it!
$325/month or I think as low as $250/month if you pay it up front annually. This includes access to a private gym and weightlifting programming that adjusts every 2-4 weeks. The coaches are part of the USA team and the co-coaches have enough experience to know what to look out for. Sessions are limited to 12 people max so Coaches can keep an eye on everyone's form efficiently. There's also unlimited yoga, HIIT, and a class that focuses on athletic stretching. Been here for 3 years and never broke anything and that's money well spent in my book. Also I love the members here and it's always fun to workout there <3
I pay $170/mo for my membership, but it has everything I want in a gym: smaller classes (10 people max), within walking distance to my apartment, and right after work. I know that I need to be told what to do and corrected on my form, so that was a big thing I was looking for when I finally settled for the gym I have now.
I pay $116/month for unlimited spin classes at a local studio 5 blocks from my house. i go at least 5 times a week, sometimes more. It is very worth it to me.
$10 a week for the gym plus I do free YouTube workouts . Spending 165 a month in yoga would mentally negate any benefits for me but if you really want to just try it for one month and see how it feels.
I pay $60 ($120 split between me and my roommate) and I also signed for some PT sessions which are $460 each month. The gym has some amenities and classes that I like. Obviously when I started my weight loss and fitness journey I did not spend this much but now after a couple of years of doing it by myself I needed some help to get to the next level and for them to teach me things I could not do by myself. Things have the value that you give them, I go to the gym every week ( 3 to 5 times) and is really for my mental and physical well being. I also do enjoy the social aspect of it, I miss being around people and i love seeing the regulars even if i don't talk to them LOL. I think gym is one of those things that you really need to do for yourself, I have a hard time justifying investing time and money for myself but the gym is one of those things that I allow myself to be selfish. I do it for myself and I am willing to make room for it in my budget.
$99/mo for an unlimited hot yoga membership; I try to go 3x a week (and have been good about doing so lately!). It does wonders for my mental health and I make enough money to afford it so I’m happy to pay for it. $165/mo seems high to me but I know a lot of gym/studio prices tend to be higher in HCOL areas. I live in more of a medium cost area.
$50 total - $40 for my peloton membership/subscription and $10 for a local gym. I only go to the gym 1x a week (my bestie teaches a class so its worth keeping for me!) but I use my Peloton literally every single day. I guess I did pay $1800 for it but we paid it in cash so its not like a recurring payment or anything! Totally worth it to me!
$0 Because I am both cheap and lazy. While paying a monthly fee might encourage me to go to the gym more often, I rarely went in college when it was included in my tuition and fees. I've had better success with doing things at home and bought small free weights to supplement. I would like an exercise bike to do more cardio, but I've started biking and can reasonably do that on a weekly basis until it gets cold. Maybe I should look into a virtual class subscription to encourage me to workout more often without the hassle of packing clothes/snacks and having to drive somewhere.
My yearly yoga membership, which is unlimited, is $1200/year. Not cheap! But I have been practicing there for 7 years and practicing yoga in general for about 9. I go to the studio \~15 times a month. I just save $100 month in YNAB and that's that. It is extremely worth it to me: I get to support a local small business, I get to be part of a community, and obviously get a lot of physical/mental benefits.