Hello Dear Reader,
All of the leisure centres in Cornwall are now run by a company called Tempus Leisure. Currently, they are offering a trial of ten consecutive days for £9.99. You can immediately sign up for another ten days if you want to extend the trial. After that, their cheapest membership for the gym, swim and all classes are £38.50. I won’t be signing up for this! I am on Easter holiday from this Friday onwards and would usually drive to Plymouth and back for my daily gym session. I worked it out that it would be cheaper to pay to the use the local facility for the two week duration than it would be to pay for the fuel for a forty mile round trip. I also didn’t want to waste an hour a day in the car.
The offer runs for entire of April so, you would think I would have been able to sign up today in readiness for tomorrow’s offer to get the full benefit. I phoned and told that I could do the ‘fast track gym induction’ there and then if it wasn’t busy. I managed to get there for just after 4pm and the gym was at 10% capacity with gym instructors eating bananas when I got there. No, I couldn’t sign up today, no I couldn’t do the induction today and have booked in for Wednesday. Here’s a brief flavour of the conversation with ‘Mr Gym’.
“Hi, I would like to book an induction, and then book for the following spin class”
Chap looked me up and down……….drew breath, then said whilst smirking.
“You won’t be able to do the spin class after the induction”
“Oh, is that centre policy?”
“No, the spin class is really intense and you will have just have done the hour’s induction”
“And you point is……………?”
“Well, I’m just saying you won’t be able to do it”
In the interest of my job and that I would not be able to continue with it if I had ‘form’ for ripping his knackers off, I left and made my induction appointments downstairs. Not before asking for the manager and complaining about his ageism. I asked, did he assume a woman of my age does no exercise? Does he assume that he could wear me out with his ‘induction’? Take a look at 87 year old Johanna in her video below…..I would like her to go to the gym and show him how it’s done!
There are draw backs to a ‘local facility’. To start, it’s seen better days and the changing facilities are circa 70’s comprehensive school with communal changing and showers! Also, it could do with a clean………..a good deep clean. If it was optional, gym instructors who judged folk on their levels of fitness after the induction session and not before.
I’m doing you a real favour Dear Reader, if it’s totally rubbish, I will have saved you £9.99 and you won’t have to waste your hard earned money. If it’s great and they do manage to raise my pulse rate then I will also let you know and you can get your trainers on and have a go. Even better, how about coming with me. I’m going to wring that membership for all it’s worth. There are classes every day and I will be going to them………..all of them during my two week break. Kettlebells, body combat, aerobiking, circuit training but I draw the line at Zumba (two left feet). There are loads of classes for parents and children to do together and I shall have a snoop and let you know.
Tonight, I’m off to try one of their spin classes.(individual payment of £5.20 for this)
Over to you Dear Reader, is fitness affordable? My gym in Plymouth costs £10.99 a month,it’s open 24 a day and it’s huge, spotless and really welcoming. The local facility has classes, a pool steam room ect and would be good value if you used it daily and of course, if you have £38.50 a month. I also looked at the price of swimming lessons for children were £45 for ten half hour sessions that had to be paid for in advance. Is sport and fitness becoming elitist? I’m sure you can share stories of how expensive it is in your area. I know plenty of local people would have no chance of using the centre as it offers no concessions. What do you think?
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx
Sniffing out a bargain.
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Where I work pressure is put on any staff member over 50, us oldies are gradually being nudged out,
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Wow Froogs, that lady is IMPRESSIVE (and puts me to shame). I can't believe you got the reaction you did at the gym. Goodness. I would have had a very hard time holding my tongue but well done. Anna
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I am in a dilemma at the moment my gym is £49.99 a month which I can't really afford as I am paying of an overdraft, so should I cancel or not. I love the yoga there. Classes are £5.75 for non members. To go to anything in the evening I have to drive 20 mins there and back so factor in petrol. I really can't decided what to do. There is nothing cheaper near where I live and work. You are so lucky to have a cheap gym. In theory I should cancel it in order to help pay off the overdraft….but…… Advice please?
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She is amazing and if it was me, i would have told the instructor to bog off.
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Wow, I can't believe what a jerk that instructor was. Ageist and sexist! I took Jazzercize classes for awhile and we had an 80 year old woman instructor working there. She taught a couple of times a day!
I did give up the gym because of the money, though—it was about 40 dollars a month. Plus, they didn't have very many convenient classes for those of us who work for a living. Many of the people in the classes were retired, or housewives, and could take classes any time.
Now I walk up and down hills around my city to get my exercise. Aside from buying some trainers, its free! And I can do it anytime and for however long I want. It took me a little while to get into a routine of doing it regularly, but now I look forward to it.
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Cheeky Mr Gym chap has a lot to learn!
We're very lucky where we live. Our local authority leisure centres & sports facilities are reasonably priced for the things we like to do and we have one of those free outdoor gyms and running track literally on our doorstep. There's no excuses for us!
The tots are still a bit young but I was looking at the kids clubs over the holidays and I was surprised at how expensive they were! But again, we've turned out to be lucky with where we live, as with the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow, there will be lots of taster and free try-it out sessions cropping up to try and encourage people into different sports - I'll be keeping an eye out for those!
Must go and watch video. Sx
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Showing him how wrong he is will speak volumes more than getting angry! And what incentive it will give you!! I look forward to you enlightening me as to what kettlebells and aerobiking may be! Joanna is simply amazing…watch the video!
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We joined a local fitness gym and it is fantastic. No swimming since the Olympic pool is a separate facility. But we have a terrific set of instructors who are very well trained. Everyone from school kids in groups to a couple of 90 year olds come and use the place and take classes. I think we pay $48 per month in the US and we get full parking priveledges in the garage next door. We live 2 miles away in an urban area and it is on a university campus so parking is a big deal. This summer we are talking about walking there and back. It was too cold and nasty this winter to do it. '
It must be working since our diet and exercise program has netted us a loss of 40 pounds each in 8 months.
Love your blog.
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You have much more restraint than I do, the gym guy would have felt the sharp edge of my tongue!
I searched for gym deals near me and found membership that includes unlimited classes, pool time and classes, and unlimited gym time, and free parking for £40 per month. That is a bargain in N. Surrey so I'm going to see if I can get a free day pass and try it out.
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My goodness, 87 years and able to do that! Quite an inspiration.
I got trainers (off-road and on-road) for Christmas and birthday. I try to alternate so that there is variety and also chose as many different runs as possible to keep it interesting. I enter various races to give myself a goal and I mostly run form home although I do occasionally drive about 20 minutes to find a different route. I run in sunshine, rain and wind (yuk) but it makes it all different. Apart from the odd running kit from Lidl - very cheap but excellent quality - and the cost of entering a race, my running is free.
Enjoy your break and use the gym to the hilt.
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I would say 'if you can't afford it, you can't afford it'!! Said first by one of our financial experts here in Australia. You could borrow yoga dvd's from the library, and of course walking is free. I'm sure you'd also find lots on the internet for doing your own weights routine at home. I've seen people exercising by lifting big tins of food, old cordial bottles filled with water etc…No it's not the same experience as the gym and requires more motivation, but I wouldn't be paying for petrol and memberships at this time - something to look forward to when the overdraft is cleared 🙂
Madeleine
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Wow, froogs, what an inspiring video! I was doing yoga with my 11 year old son last night and commented that I used to be able to easily do all of the advanced poses. His response was that I was getting old (at 46). My response was that's it's nothing to do with age, and everything to do with the fact that I don't practise for 10 hours a week anymore. That gymnast has shown that it's definitely not too late to get my strength and flexibility back 🙂 So back on the mat for me tonight.
Re ageism, I think we all have to challenge it wherever we encounter it. It's a big problem for women working in Australia. I know some exceptionally talented women who are being overlooked for jobs, and apparently the trend worldwide is that women are being forced into casual/more insecure positions - and of course many still aren't being paid as much as men. What does this have to do with a frugal blog? We need to manage our money scrupulously, in case our earning capacity is affected by ageism.
Have a great day everyone, Madeleine.X
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That gym guy is incredibly rude!!
I used to belong to a gym. It was just $41.00 a month, even though it is only about ten minutes away, I couldn't always make it there in the am and the classes were offered at awkward times.
We wanted to save some money and I suggested that I would cut out the gym. Before I made that decision I had done a search on YouTube and came across a fitness channel, Lionsgate Be Fit. It has absolutely every kind of workout you can imagine. I made a special workout list that has Denise Austin's 5 minute workouts to Jessica Smith and her ten minute intervals or barefoot cardio routine to yoga with Rainbeau Mars (yes that is her name!) Best part is, it costs me nothing and I get to stay healthy and not have to drive anywhere. I also love that I can workout anytime and not have to worry about being late to a class or anything since I am doing it in my living room. 🙂
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I hear you re the cost of gym membership.Ther is one right on my doorstep and it is more cost effective fro em to go across town and pay at a very small and very friendly “spit and sawdust” place then it is to go to my local. As for the gym instructor he needs a lesson in humility!
all the best
Rachel
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That's a lot of money to pay while you're clearing debt. My advice would be to cancel it - it's not forever and it would help to clear your overdraft quicker. Once you've cleared it, perhaps you will be able to afford it then. Walking and skipping are free and keep you fairly fit. Do you have a bike or could you borrow one? Could you jog/run? We have gym equipment beside our swings, slides etc in our public parks up here in Scotland and they can be used for free. In fact, one of my neighbours had to get fit for medical reasons and showed me the 4 pieces of equipment he had bought. I said to him that all 4 pieces of equipment were down in our local park for free!
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You go and show the cheeky little so and so what you're made of Froogs. Once he sees how fit you are, that will maybe teach him a lesson to keep his thoughts to himself x
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Well done to you for biting back the retort that I'm sure was itching to get out. Get your full money's worth from their ageist/sexist gym and then go back to your own after showing them just how fit you are now.
No wonder so many folk are put off going to gyms if that's the attitude of some of the staff.
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I cannot believe the attitude of that employee! Well done you Froogs for staying so restrained. My local leisure centre does offer concessions for students on swimming, but not on classes. When I wanted to go to the drop in yoga (costing £5 a session), I was told I had to attend the six-week induction class at a cost of £45! I think I'll stick to my yoga mat and You Tube videos for now.
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My budget is to tight that nothing I have to pay for is an option. I'm walking and that is it… I try to get in some exercise every chance I get, when I can park a little farther away and walk more, I do… I've been getting out and working in my yard and have plans for a bigger garden this year, so Hopefully this will all help me. I just don't have the $$ to pay for any gym membership. I will be going to college come the fall and then I can use their facilities for free, I am looking forward to that.
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I'm currently paying £19 a month for swimming at my local leisure centre, and it's a total bargain - as long as I go. I worked out that it was either £4 a throw to go when the spirit moved me, but if i go three times a week, it's about £1.50. But I must go, as that £19 is half a tank of petrol or a couple of weeks' groceries.
I was also lucky enough to get that price via a discount from my employer (I work for quite a large company, and I didn't even know the corporate discount was in place before I signed up). So worth it, but only if I go, and I'm determined not to waste money on this caper. I'm treating weightwatchers the same way - a budgeted for expense that will have to end in September, and if I don't lose weight, it will be a waste of money.
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Well done you for refraining from doing a bobbitt on him I am not sure that I would have been able to. My budget is so tight that if anything requires payment then I can't do it - but walking is free and I do that every single day - keeps my head clear.
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The breeze membership so expensive for the amenities on offer, we finally joined up with a local country club that had twice as much on offer for a £5 less than the council site considering one is not for profit, Cornwall council leave a lot to be desired. I see fitness as one as my highest priorities as I get older I have to stay well as I have no idea how long I will have to remain working in such uncertain times. it's had frugal side effect if im at the gym/swimming or fitness class im not spending money and they are paying for the heating.
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****ers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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hi - you've had a lot of good advice here, when I was in debt - anything that I didn't need to survive went! you will get out of debt quicker with that attitude xx
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if you get free gym and health facilities at college then make the most of it - college is expensive and take everything you pay for xx
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my gym in plymouth is state of the art, they spent £5million on it! it's a tenner a month and I use it every day when at work and shower and wash my hair - it's a bargain but I took out the breeze membership for the easter break - there is no way i would pay the full amount!
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Thank you all. Decision made…gym cancelled. Feeling good. I am normally very frugal…so don't know why I really hesitated. Guilt I think that as a 56 year old I “should belong to a gym”. Anyway love the outdoors and live in the country so looking forward to evening bike rides and walks again. You are all brilliant and so inspirational.
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My gym is £18 a month with my work discount it is meant to be £35, I can have unlimited use of the whole centre including fitness classes and swimming, the running track etc.
I use the gym and swim I have never made any of the classes as they book up very quickly and I often only know an hour or so before hand if I have childcare!
I pay for swimming lesson for my youngest a block of 14 half hour lesson has just cost me £152, I don't book these through my leisure centre as I get better offer and tuition through a private swim school.
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agreed!
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I have gone to the trouble of investing in a gym quality treadmill. It cost $1300 but it has a lifetime warranty and it wouldn't really take much gym membership for it to pay for itself. Gym memberships mean travelling somewhere to get there. No thanks.
K-Mart has inexpensive equipment : skipping ropes, weights, aerobic step, mats as well as game equipment (basketball, netball, football etc). So now I have all the bits n bobs I require.
The internet is choc full of exercise programmes and challenges. There's videos demonstrating how to perform the exercises and you can do them in the privacy of your own space without feeling self conscious.
I have been doing the Couch to 5K plan that your lovely NHS (hands off, Cameron!) has on their website. I completed the first nine weeks and could run for a full half hour. I've gone back to the beginning and increasing my running speed through using the interval training at a higher intensity.
The experience you outlined above is one of the reasons I don't like gyms. What a sanctimonious prick he was, and as for the condition of the place, I'd be concerned about picking up some sort of infection from their lack of care and interest in the surroundings. If they won't invest in a bit of spit and polish, then what else are they slack on?
Good luck with the programme though. It may suit some better than it would me.
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I'm not sure it's appropriate to post this here, but the geek in me can't resist; there are apps for that, countrylover … no really … there are great free apps for tracking your fitness, food intake, activity, exercise, the whole bit. I work for a university in Sydney, Australia and the medical school has been researching these. The best one is a free app called “MyFitnessPal”. I also use one called “iMuscle2” which isn't free, but it will show you how to do every exercise you'd normally do on equipment at the gym, at home with no equipment necessary, and it'll help you track your progress. It's well worth the AU$2.49. *Waves hello to Her Highnessness*
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