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Cheap gym memberships

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Photo of Susan J.

Elite '08

48

176

09/09/2005 Susan "The Urban Muse" J. says:

I'm a recent college grad who'd love to join a gym, but they can be soo expensive! Does anyone have any suggestions of places to join that are 1) on the Green line and b) don't cost an arm and a leg for initiation/monthly membership? Thanks in advance!
Photo of Sean H.

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14

09/09/2005 Sean H. says:

I don't know of too many Green-Line accessible cheap gyms, but the whole initiation thing is bogus.  The longer you sit there and hem and haw over the decision to join, the smaller that fee gets.  You can usually get them down to 25% of the fee, if they don't waive it completely.  Definitely don't pay more than $75.  Walk out if you have to.  They know that if you walk out, you're not likely to come back, so that fee can get pretty small pretty quickly.

Oh, also, insist on a no-obligation 30-day tryout.  Nothing's worse than signing up for a year to find out in 2 weeks that you hate the place.
Photo of Alyssa C.

74

218

10/18/2005 Alyssa C. says:

I hated the prices of gyms in Boston and ended up paying too much for Boston Sports Club but could use all the locations. Fitness Unlimited in Brookline Village might be decent price: http://www.fitnessunli... or maybe one of the YMCA locations: http://www.ymcaboston....
Photo of Lori E.

8

15

03/30/2006 Lori E. says:

Sometimes gyms will give you a discount if you join with a friend or family member..I know Bally does.
Photo of Megan B.

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179

03/30/2006 Megan B. says:

Beacon Hill Athletic Club used to be under $50 per month but now is a bit above.  There is one right in Brookline Village right off the T and another right near the MGH Red Line stop.  I've been to the Brookline one, it is no frills and friendly. http://www.beaconhilla...

Sometimes they waive the initiation fee at gyms if you have an HMO, always worth asking.
Photo of laura a.

Elite '08

92

457

03/31/2006 laura "lord, beer me strength" a. says:

pimp out the student ID. i graduated in 2004 but my id has no expiration date and i shamelessly use it for cheaper yoga classes, gym memberships, free admission to museums..etc. i used it to get my current membership at healthworks and i didn't have to pay an initiation fee.

does your work offer any discounts? sometimes the corporate discounts come with no initiation fee. also, if your health insurance is harvard pilgrim or tufts you can get like a $100 or $150 rebate for being a member of a gym for at least 4 months, i think.

if you're willing to wait a couple months, i bet you a lot of gyms around town are going to start having deals since the new year's resolution crowd will start thinning out.
Photo of laura a.

Elite '08

92

457

03/31/2006 laura "lord, beer me strength" a. says:

oh, and FYI my student membership at healthworks in cambridge (it might be a little different at the healthworks in brookline that's on the green line) is $56/mo and i can't go between 5 am and 7:30 am/4-8 pm monday-thursday and before 10:30 on saturday. if you decide to join healthworks, let me know because i often get 'refer a friend' emails from healthworks with special deals if your friends join - like no initiation fee, friends pay your rate, etc. healthworks can be really pricey but the atmosphere is unlike any other gym i've been to in the area. the machines are always so great & new, and they have individual TVs on them, which totally distracts you from the fact that you're exercising!
Photo of Sarah A.

Elite '08

24

315

03/31/2006 Sarah A. says:

Did you go to BU? Check out the Fitness and Recreation Center, if you are an alum.
Photo of Ashley M.

Elite '08

56

297

04/05/2006 Ashley M. says:

Your HMO may pay some of your membership too... BCBS and Tufts I think each give $150 per year. I second the Beacon Hill Athletic Club vote. Its not glam but its good bang for the buck given that they have unlimited classes and that you can go to classes at any of their locations.
Photo of Shannon C.

17

106

04/05/2006 Shannon C. says:

I'll make it 3 for BHAC. They have 6 locations, and I think the best one is in Brighton and the worst is in Newton. The others are clean and well-maintained, and I love that I can visit one of their other locations if I want a class not offered at the one I usually go to. A little expensive, but negotiable.
Photo of Kathleen D.

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36

04/13/2006 Kathleen D. says:

Superfitness in Watertown, MA has the cheapest membership of any gym I've ever been to. When I joined a few months ago they waived the initiation cost and only charge $19 a month. Plus, the classes are fun and at decent times (after 5 PM). It's not on the green line, but there is a bus from Harvard Sq to Watertown Center that goes by it. Or maybe you can get a friend with a car to join with you.


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