pay less for your gym membership!

 
​Hellooo! How's your Thursday going?! Are you crushing your goals this week? Are you keeping up with the 30 Day Waist Challenge this month?! It's never too late to jump on board ;) You have one body to live in and love during this lifetime. Everyday is another chance to get it right! So...whether you're working on the waist challenge, building a better body, or making sure your current one is healthy and strong...give your body the attention and respect it deserves!! 

​I love shopping! I actually love bargain hunting!! I love finding a great deal!!! Shopping and saving money at the same time is a WIN-WIN...lol! My husband doesn't see it this way, but he's a good sport and is happy if I save a few bucks!! :D Today's post is how you can pay less for your gym membership! I'm posting an article exactly as it was written. I can't take any credit for the information, but want to share it because who doesn't like paying less?! 
Article by: Shape Fitness Director, Jaclyn Emerick. Photos arranged by: Myself.
​*The following was written in Shape Magazine, but it actually applies to ANYONE. I'm talking to the men reading this ;) 

​That women next to you in your group strength class? She's probably paying slightly different monthly gym dues than you. So if you haven't tried to talk your way into a better membership deal, you should. I spoke with Jeanette Pavini, a consumer reporter and savings expert, and Pamela Kufahl, the director of content for Clubindustry.com, a website that focuses on the health club business, and both say there's typically some wiggle room when it comes to membership prices at most gyms (but not at boutique studios - they're a different story). Here are their top tips to help you through the sign-up process, so you can get on to tightening your abs and butt without spending an arm and a leg. 

​Eyeball the competition. Find out what comparable clubs (that is, equally swank or equally budget) in your area charge and what services they include, Kufahl suggests. "Also, learn what promotions they've offered in the past, so you can get an idea of how low they're capable of going," Pavini says. You can dig this up by reading past posts on their social media accounts or blogs.

​Forget the sign-up fee. When you're meeting with the membership rep, ask if he or she can drop the joining fee. Most clubs have these, and they can be as pricey as $1,000 for high-end facilities. (The fees go toward things like paying the salesperson's commission, defraying the cost of setting up your account in the billing system, and discouraging people from coming in and joining for just one month, Kufahl says.) Sometimes, clubs will waive the initiation, especially during holidays. If that's the case, ask the manager to give you a call when that's happening, and wait until then to sign on, Pavini says. 

​Tackle those monthly dues. Next, explore your options for getting the monthly cost down a little. If your schedule allows for it, ask if you're eligible for a reduced monthly fee if you restrict your membership to coming solely on days or during times when the gym is least crowded, Kufahl says. Check if the club will offer a lower monthly price if you sign up with your spouse or roommate. You could also be eligible for lower dues if you're a student or part of a company that has worked out a corporate deal. Another option is to wait until business is slow, when salespeople may be willing to lower dues in an attempt to boost traffic. Try this in March, at the beginning of daylight saving time, when it starts to stay light enough for people to get their fitness fix outside after work, Pavini suggests, or during the summer months, when it's prime vacation time, Kufahl says. 

​Know the traps. Gym memberships are like apartment leases: The cost can go up every year. "If you have worked out a negotiated rate, know its duration," Kufahl says. Some memberships renew automatically, so if you plan to belong for just one year, make sure you cancel it in time, Kufahl says. 

​Do you have any money saving tips that have worked for you? If so, please share!! Now...go ahead and put on your athletic shoes, hit the gym, and give your body the workout it deserves :D Remember...results happen over time, not overnight! Work hard, stay consistent, and be patient!! You got this!!!
​Enjoy the rest of your week! Check back in on Monday!! HAPPY Thursday :D ​