5 tricks to save on your gym membership

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Staying fit can come with a high price tag when you factor in gym memberships. But by knowing a few tips and tricks, joining a gym doesn’t have to break the bank.

Here are five smart ways that savvy seniors can save money on a membership to their local gym or fitness center:

Ask about senior discounts

As with other many other types of businesses, including rental cars and hotels, certain gyms offer older adults reduced membership rates. CBS News reports that when taken in aggregate across different categories of products and services, senior discounts can save older adults thousands of dollars a year.

National chains like Gold’s Gym and Bally’s Total Fitness offer discounts for seniors, the amount of which can vary by franchise location. Some local fitness clubs also offer senior discounts. Because these smaller exercise facilities must compete for customers with the fitness giants, they may offer more substantial discounts. Also check with your nearest parks and recreation center, which additionally may have significant discounts for seniors to participate in their programs.

According to SeniorDiscounts.com, some privately owned gyms might have lower age requirements to qualify for senior discounts — some as low as age 55. Parks and rec, on the other hand, often requires that eligibility begin around age 62. Also, be sure to ask whether the senior discounts apply only to the initiation fee, or to the monthly membership dues.

Check your insurance programs

Depending on your insurance program, you may be able to save on membership dues to your fitness club. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna provide fitness-related discounts with up to 60 percent savings in certain states.

The SilverSneakers fitness program also offers eligible Medicare recipients discounted or no-cost gym memberships, as well as other program benefits like customized fitness classes for seniors. Healthways reports that 1 in 5 people 65 and up may be eligible for a membership to SilverSneakers.

Group retirees and those who are part of Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement health plans may already have SilverSneakers memberships. To find out if your health plan participates, check this Health Plan Locator for your state.

Do a trial run

While not specific to seniors, people of all ages can save some money by taking advantage of the trial period that many gyms offer. Before investing in a gym membership, you can test out different facilities using a guest pass.

Ask about guest passes and trial periods at each gym’s membership department. Some of the larger fitness centers like Gold’s Gym and 24 Hour Fitness offer free 7-day passes to try out their offerings.

Use the perks

Part of saving money is getting more bang for the bucks you do spend. Some gyms offer senior-specific classes, programs, personal training, and nutritional guides that can quickly make your gym membership more valuable if you use them.

24 Hour Fitness, for example, offers a wide range of “Active Aging Classes.” These are group exercise classes that are specifically designed with seniors in mind, to help them maintain their cardiovascular fitness, as well as their strength, balance, and flexibility. The available fitness classes include a variety of of gym and pool workouts designed for group instruction and participation.

When shopping around for a fitness center, be sure to ask the membership department about how they cater to their senior members. Choosing a facility that’s more accommodating to a mature market can pay you back both in terms of finance and fitness.

Join at the right time

While you may think that gyms operate from a set membership price, the fact is that there are deals to be had — especially if you use your bargaining power wisely. According to SparkPeople, it’s more economical to join a gym at the end of the month than the beginning, since most fitness centers are trying to reach monthly membership goals. By the end of the month, membership employees will be more eager to reach their goals, and thus may give you a price break.

There are also different times of the year that are better than others to purchase a new gym membership. You may feel more motivated to join a gym in January — but so does everyone else. With New Year’s resolutions freshly made, many people show up at the first of the year ready to sign on the dotted line. This is not the best time to get a good deal from a gym’s membership director.

The cold winter months are also the busiest time of year for new memberships because it’s harder for people to exercise outdoors. So, if you’re hoping for a bargain, the end of the summer is the right time to strike.

Just do it!

While saving money on a gym membership can be a nice incentive to inspire more indoor workouts, remember the health benefits of staying physically active. Try to get the best deal you can, but if you need to join a gym at a time that’s not the cheapest or your insurance doesn’t offer a discount, your health and fitness are always treasures that are worth investing in — at any price.

Check Your SilverSneakers Eligibility

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