Many people have asked this question and it is quite understandable, especially if you are a fitness newbie. Should you join a gym, boutique fitness studio or get a citywide class pass?
While there are pros and cons to each, each option is best for different kinds of personalities, price points, and fitness levels. Take a look below at some reasons why you might/might not want to consider joining one of these options.
The Gym
A lot of people kickstart their healthy lifestyle by joining a gym. While that’s all well and good, they don’t really know what to do once they get in there.
Of course, there is a weights section, but for many beginners, even just thinking about entering that realm on their own is frightening. That’s probably a huge reason why the majority of beginners start out as cardio bunnies until they see a plateau in their efforts. This may eventually lead to educating themselves and picking up some real (not 2-pound) weights, but it can sometimes be a long road.
If you’re a beginner, either learn about all types of training beforehand or skip the gym all together and try a membership that offers a little more guidance. This is also true for those who need outside motivation instead of sheer willpower. You’ll feel a lot worse about skipping that group fitness class if you know it means $35 have gone down the drain.
Conversely, if you’re all about experimenting, working out alone and know how to push yourself, there’s no doubt that the gym is for you.
Some things to note: if you join a gym that has a full schedule of classes, it may certainly be worth joining because it has the best of all worlds: cardio, weights and group fitness.
If you’re a newbie adamant about joining a gym, you can pay for a few sessions with a trainer. While it’s not the most wallet-friendly option. Even just 1-3 sessions of learning proper form, exercises and techniques can really help you out. Bonus, a lot of gyms offer the first session of training totally free.
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Pros: Accessible equipment, flexible with your schedule, great for intermediate and higher level exercisers, potential for “all-inclusive” amenities (depending on gym), price range, great for bodybuilders or those in “training”.
Cons: Newbies tend to feel “lost”, sometimes crowded meaning wait time for machines at peak hours, lack of outside incentive to go.
The Studio
If you’ve found you really love a certain kind of exercise and absolutely can’t get sick of it – like many avid yogis, Crossfitters, SoulCyclers and Pilates enthusiasts tend to – then definitely feel free to join a studio with a monthly membership.
Because you enjoy it, you will be more likely to go instead of feel dread or wander around the gym like a zombie.
Unfortunately, studios are very expensive. I would say (at least in New York City), they cost more than gym memberships which offer more machines and hours that you can fit into your schedule.
If you find that you never actually go to the gym but would be more compelled to sign up for individual classes at specific times, then it’s a great option that can really give you your money’s worth.
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Pros: Specific times to show up (so no procrastinating), workouts you enjoy, sense of community, ability to excel at one type of workout, one-on-one approach.
Cons: Lack of variety, restricted schedule times, costly, narrow approach to fitness.
The Class Pass
Citywide class passes are now becoming hugely popular in cities like Los Angeles, London and New York (among at least 30+ others). Examples of this kind of membership service include ClassPass and FitReserve.
A membership will get you access to hundreds of boutique fitness studios offering everything from Spinning to Pilates. Because of its wide variety of classes available, it may actually be impossible to get bored.
It’s a great option for beginners who have yet to find the workouts that work best for them. There’s no one stopping you from trying everything out until you find your niche. Eventually, you will find several workouts that work best for you to create a well-balanced workout regimen revolving around classes that you really enjoy and can fit into your schedule.
Personality is also a big factor. If you enjoy working out alone, this is not the best option for you, but if you get bored easily and need to switch things up, a pass is certainly ideal.
A huge downfall and potential deal breaker, however, is that “ClassPassers” are way less of a priority than actual members of the studios they are attending. This occasionally makes it more difficult to get a spot at that trendy boutique fitness studio at covetable hours – like before or after work – because they prioritize clients who purchase classes at full price.
Pros: Plenty of options, less expensive, great for all levels, more flexible schedules.
Cons: Only group fitness, still less flexible than gym membership, limit of 3 classes a month per studio, more difficulty to get into classes than being a member of the individual studios or buying directly
So, what will you decide on? It all has to do with your experience, personality and what works best for you. One size certainly doesn’t fit all.
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What do you think are some gym pros and cons? What about boutique fitness and city pass memberships?
