How much you should be paying for your gym membership
Finding a gym membership that doesn’t break the bank can feel like a workout in itself. Prices swing so wildly, it can be hard to gauge if you are getting a good deal or not.
We have done the heavy lifting for you, diving into the world of gym costs to discover what some people are actually paying – and any cost-saving tips they have discovered in between reps and sets.
Gym membership costs fluctuate wildly depending on what services you're after. iStock
What did become clear is that what the average Australian is willing to pay varies wildly, influenced by the gym experience they are after.
What Aussies are paying for their workouts
Our in-office survey showed monthly gym membership prices ranging from as little as $38 per month to as much as $490 per month.
The most affordable came from no-frills budget gyms that operate at low cost, in cheaper locations, with minimal staff. There are no group classes, swimming pools, or saunas - they are purely based on 24/7 gym access for those happy to take charge of their own workouts.
“I pay $8.80 a week for Plus Fitness. Through Fitness Passport I have joined my partner’s membership, which has been very helpful cost-wise. I go four times a week, which basically makes it free, in a cost-per-visit way,” one nine.com.au staffer says.
Others who attend budget gyms report paying $16-$17 a week, and paying extra if they decide to attend classes in addition to their regular gym sessions.
“[That fee] doesn’t get me access to all of their gyms, personal trainers or diet plans or whatever, but I would never utilise that stuff anyway,” one said.
Another pays $20 a week for a gym that’s part of an RSL club close to home: “The facilities are not super fancy, so you get what you pay for.”
The are so many different membership models and gyms to choose from these days. Getty
One staffer who pays $48 for a group fitness class gym called Combine Air said the additional cost is worth it for them, because they “absolutely love going to the gym”.
Crossfit gyms can be a little pricier, at up to $70 a week, with plenty of added extras.
“I’m happy to pay it as you have attentive trainers, programming planned for you, and heaps of equipment,” one Crossfit devotee says.
The most expensive membership reported was $490 a month, which the owner has recently ended due to cost of living pressures.
“I am now going to a much cheaper, more crowded, loud gym which feels a bit more like a nightclub some days, but I am making it work.”
Personal training and exercise classes cost more. iStock
How to get the most value for money
Money expert Lacey Filipich said regardless of how much you pay for your membership, the best way to get value for money is to make sure you use it.
“If you’re just paying for it out of guilt or because you forgot, there are probably better uses for your money,” Filipich told nine.com.au.
If you can’t keep up regular gym attendance, she says: “Don’t hold off cancelling or pausing unless you’re confident you’re going back. Set a time limit to prove you will go back, and if you don’t, cancel or pause.”
Gymgoers should put some proper thought in before signing a contract, which can result in lower monthly membership fees but can make it more difficult to cancel.
Signing up without a contract does typically mean paying a higher monthly membership fee, but allows for more flexibility if the choice is made to leave the gym.
Those with contracts can “pause” their memberships for set periods of time due to health reasons or even travel, which Filipich encourages members to do as needed.
“Also, making sure they choose a gym where they can put the membership on hold for periods when needed, for example when travelling or recovering from surgery,” she advised.
Filipich also suggested checking in with your private health insurer to see if they subsidise gym memberships.
“I don’t have extras so haven’t had a good look, but I bet some providers will subsidise gym memberships. It’d make sense, as a healthy customer probably costs less in the long run,” she said.
Ultimately, when it comes to gym membership, Filipich says it’s “very much a case of ‘know thyself’“.
“When I’m paying per class, I stretch out the time between them.
“When I’m paying a fixed amount per week or month, I’m more motivated to go frequently as I want to get value for my money,” she continued.
There are things to consider when deciding which gym is right for you. iStock
“If your goal is to attend more often, and your brain works like mine, it might be worth it to get a membership instead.
“But if you just want to go to that one yoga class every week or two, perhaps casual is more cost-effective.
“Do the maths on the pricing they offer to work it out.”
The good news is that with increasing competition between brands, and the surge in no-frills gyms, “plenty offer easy and cheap cancellation processes, so it can be worth looking for one of those instead”.
“Paying a bit extra in the beginning might seem expensive, but if you keep going and build the habit, you can always switch to a cheaper lock-in contract later,” Filipich said.
“It really depends if you’re planning to make this a way of life you continue for years or decades, or if it’s a one-off health kick you don’t expect to carry on with for more than a year.”
Don't be afraid to change to something more affordable. iStock
Tips to save
- Find a no-frills gym in your area
- Find out if you can add onto your partner’s existing membership
- Private health insurance special offers and rebates
- Discount memberships through other insurers such as NRMA
- Discount offers through places of work
- Pay per visit instead of per month if possible
- Sign a contract for less per month however only if you will definitely attend that much, otherwise better to pay more per month with no contract so you can leave whenever you like
- Option to freeze membership during times of financial difficulty, travel, or health problems, usually for a limited time
- Local RSLs typically offer affordable gym memberships
