How much for a YMCA/gym membership? Does $100 sound high?

[Anonymous]

I was just looking at the cost of joining our local YMCA. The cost is $80 per month for a family with one adult or $100 for a 2 adult family. This includes any children under age 21. Does this sound right for a YMCA membership? Would a regular gym be cheaper? Do any offer family or 2 person rates? We only need a membership for 2 but either way its going to cost at least $80 per month at the y. Should I call other gyms in the area to see what rates they offer or is this what it costs now days for a gym membership?

[Anonymous]

That sounds right. If you have BCBS they offer an additional discount - it was $85 for our family of 4. It offers more than a gym especially if
You have young kids.

[Anonymous]

If you just want to work out, then the YMCA is probably not efficient for you. If you want the programs associated with the YMCA as well as access to the gym, the extra cost is worth it.

For example, at our local YMCA, my two daughters take karate, swim on the swim team, and play on the basketball team. We take advantage of these at a large discount the general public does not receive. MY kids also stay in the kid zone while I work out (yoga, spin, etc), and go to parents night out once a month. They used to do day summer camps at the Y. IT's like a community center, so that's what you're paying for.

[Anonymous]

My solo membership at Gold's gym is $38/month, if that gives you a reference. I think if I did a household membership with a spouse, it would be slightly cheaper than $38 per person. This is for a chain of locations, not just one, including all sorts of group classes. (but no towel service or pool.)

[Anonymous]

It's important to remember that a Y is not just a gym, but offers a lot to a community, for people in all ages and stages of life, so it's not an apples to apples comparison.

[Anonymous]

They charge rich people more to subsidize the poors. They explain the pricing structure to you very honestly.