OP, we’re in Boston too. My fiancé pays for Equinox (he has the money to do so so it’s fine). He runs marathons and likes the cross training aspect of being able to use the pool. But to be honest, he only does that like once a week so I think it’s insane.

When I belonged to a fancy all women's gym in another city I would go at least 5x/week. I loved it! The classes were smaller groups- so always a good spot, the locker was clean and had nice steamroom/sauna/whirlpool. I haven't found anything like it in this area and I miss it. When my kids were little I did use Lifetime- totally a great deal because there was child care, pool and lots of options- we all enjoyed it. When I think about spending on membership fees I remind myself that I could easily blow more than one month of membership fee on a single nice dinner out...

I knew a personal trainer at one of those gyms. Turns out he was actually a multi-millionaire who was able to retire early and had always wanted to be a personal trainer, so he got a job as one as a hobby. Chose the fanciest gym because he wanted a fun place to hang out all day.

Always made me chuckle to think that some members probably looked down on him for being "just" a personal trainer, when he was secretly richer than they were.

Anonymous wrote:Different types seems to parade these establishments- Susie Q may treat it like a country club by enjoying the amenities more than working out, Joe blow might be into socializing and may even drum up business, or Dave the warrior can afford it and is actually into fitness.

Sexism is real.

Different types seems to parade these establishments- Susie Q may treat it like a country club by enjoying the amenities more than working out, Joe blow might be into socializing and may even drum up business, or Dave the warrior can afford it and is actually into fitness.

Anonymous wrote:A person whose job pays for it as a perk.

+1, my former and current job both pay for most of my gym membership.

Anonymous wrote:I am always surprised by how expensive the Y is for a family, and it’s not glamorous at all.

It used to be a place you could go when you’re short on your dough.

I was just having this conversation. My friends couldn’t believe I pay $205 for Equinox in DC (that’s “too expensive”). I go to classes, swim and use the steam room. On average it’s $10 per visit. In addition to great classes and feeling my best ever, I have made new friends and have a network of coaches that encourage me. Is it fancy? Yes. Is it worth giving up one to two nice meals a month to afford it? Absolutely.

34F, no kids

Anonymous wrote:Well Equinox is amazing so.

The only reason I’m not a member is the location isn’t good but the steam room alone is worth the cost.

This 10000x

I joined my Equinox for the classes, pool, and steam room

I belong to Lifetime and I am definitely not in my 20s and definitely not skinny. I enjoy the big variety of classes and the fact that there's indoor and outdoor pools and a great kids club. The price is not cheap, but it obviates the need to have a pool membership, belong to a yoga studio, etc. If you are the type of person who does weights and machines and doesn't care about the pool or other amenities, it may be a waste.

Anonymous wrote:It depends how often you go. It's not going to be worth it for a casual gym goer, but if you go to a facility more days than not, I can absolutely see how people pay such fees (I don't, because there isn't a facility near me and convenience trumps all).

For a lot of people, their fitness isn't just about physical health, but mental/emotional, and can be a form of therapy. So in that sense, it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

+1. People who prioritize going to the gym. I used to pay premium for a fancy gym when i was in my 20s and single. I wasn't rich, but gym was important. I also used to go 4-5 times per week.

Anonymous wrote:You join because you are serious about fitness and want to be with like minded people. Inexpensive places are populated by people who ride stationary bikes at a very slow RPM while they read US magazine.

Meh. I'm very serious about fitness and found plenty of like-minded folks at dirt-cheap LA Fitness. Now, there are more of us at solidcore, but plenty of people work hard but can't afford expensive gyms. It's much more about being pampered and, in some respects, buying into an image, than it is about willingness to do the work.

This is how much the ST. James is. I’m not a member and cant totally justify it, but I must say their power lifting room is really nice. I might pay this much for a gym that limits memberships and has a state of the art lifting area.

People also pay this much, or more, for all the unlimited specialty gyms/studios- yoga, cycling, CrossFit, orangetheory.

Anonymous wrote:They are building these gyms in my area. 140,000 square feet of space with basketball courts, workout areas, pools, locker rooms, etc. the membership cost is $179 per month which includes a lot of exercise classes. I am Wondering what type of person would join a place like this? I am envisioning all young people in their 20s, skinny, and rich. What do you think? And would you join a place like this?

Same people that push for more immigration to have cheap low skilled labor take care of their children and clean their house.

Don’t expect them to care what you think .

You join because you are serious about fitness and want to be with like minded people. Inexpensive places are populated by people who ride stationary bikes at a very slow RPM while they read US magazine.