Comments on: is it worth joining a fitness club or a waste of $?

By: brianrr27

brianrr27 — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:13:59 +0000

I am a member of Bally’s in Houston- I signed a 3-year contract (which is almost over-Thank God!), and they are really lousy, to say the least. Either find another club, or better yet, just buy some basic home gym equipment to supplement your running/cardiovascular. Don’t be fooled by the nice appearance inside their clubs. The staff has a very poor attitude (not just one club or a few rotten apples, either, I have been to at least 10 different Bally locations in the Houston area, and it is consistently bad all the time, every location). It seems every time I need assistance from an employee, I have to pry them from their cell phones/ personal phone calls, and most are just blatantly rude all around. That is really maddening when I am paying these people’s wages, and I am one who has been a manager in the service industry for years (if anyone working for me behaved like that, they would be fired in a heartbeat, they obviously have a real discipline problem there, or just don’t care since we signed contracts we can’t break for 3 years). Not only that, nearly all locations have malfunctioning equipment that they don’t even bother to warn us about, let alone fix. A few weeks ago, I was on a treadmill that suddenly stopped without warning and nearly sent me flying; I tried to alert the desk person to this, but he was absorbed in a personal phone call and rudely blew me off. I really hope they get a lawsuit! So to sum it up, steer clear of Bally’s: they’re just all around bad: bad management, bad attitude, and bad service.
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my own personal experience

By: wanagithai

wanagithai — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:06:59 +0000

If running is your primary concern, then a Fitness Club won’t be much use for you. Remember that a great Fitness Club offer many ways to sculp down your body, and get you into great shape. Be sure check out the many options offered at fitness clubs such as:

Various strength-training machines
Indoor/Outdoor Basketball courts
Raquetball courts
Tennis Courts
Indoor/outdoor pools
Indoor rock-climbing room
Indoor/outdoor soccer
Aerobics room
Etc.

Plus a fitness club offer various classes related to fitness such as yoga, pilates, martial arts, etc. You might have to let the girls in your street to take self-defense classes if an attacker is your primary concern. Overall, a fitness center is worth it as long as you use the resources offered there.

Don’t join a fitness club though if you’re just going to use the treadmills or the indoor track. And also, doesn’t your college have a gym on campus for students?
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By: lv_consultant

lv_consultant — Sat, 01 May 2010 12:44:59 +0000

it’s only a waste of money if you don’t go…
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BS Exercise Science
IFPA Certified Master Trainer
25+ years of resistance training experience
17 years of martial arts training

By: hurt

hurt — Sat, 01 May 2010 12:07:59 +0000

You don't need to go to a gym to get a total workout. With that amount of money you can buy an equipment you can use at home. Even simple weights will do. I'd find a walking/running buddy if you enjoy the outdoors. Better yet get a group together it will be more fun and will keep you going.
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By: VB

VB — Sat, 01 May 2010 11:55:59 +0000

Doesnt your school have some sort or fitness area?
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By: harley w

harley w — Sat, 01 May 2010 11:07:59 +0000

beware of clubs that make you sign a contract
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By: tara

tara — Sat, 01 May 2010 10:48:59 +0000

FInd a running partner and run outside
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