Can you haggle gym memberships

It happens more than you'd think. Pay attention to the detail. Enquire as to what happens if you are injured, move to the other end of the country, become pregnant, and if you can freeze or transfer your membership. Off-peak rates are also a thing. You might not get these deals in the huge chains but you certainly can in the smaller chains and independent gyms. Discounts can vary depending on the time of the year. Later in the year, August is also a good time to strike a deal as people are either away or out enjoying the weather.

If you take the first offer then you are getting the worst price. I learned that any oral promises from salespeople at fitness centers cannot be trusted. Be sure to read through the contract and make sure that the price is the same one that you were quoted. Hidden fees and upfront charges can be found in the small print of the contract.

Some memberships even automatically renew themselves unless you call and cancel. Never sign a contract until taking time to think about it. Never agree to a membership fee. No matter what they say or how hard they try to convince you, never sign a contract with a membership fee. You should not have to pay money just to sign a long term contract. They are asking you to pay money for the privilege of paying them more money.

You may be very excited about getting in shape now but what about in and Gyms will try to lock you into 3 or 4 year contracts because they know you may change your mind later. Is the location convenient to your daily schedule? And get a feel for your fellow gym-goers—are they a crowd you can work out with? Gyms typically offer multiple tiers of membership: senior, student, military, corporate, family, and more. Typically, the more people who can enroll with you at the same time, the more negotiating power you have as well.

Think: 12 months for the price of 11 if you pay at one time. Just make sure the personal-training session will be productive for you, as these complimentary lessons can be upsells in disguise. And spoiler alert: The personal trainer is likely going to sell you hard on them, so be on the lookout for that. The contract and written word are a solid defense against things like a fuzzy memory or a change of ownership. Have any discounts, promotional pricing, or freebies included in your contract, just in case.

Speaking of contracts: Know the exact duration of yours and the terms of cancellation. Many companies offer fitness-related perks—like a corporate discount rate or reimbursement. Check with your human resources department for details. The restrictions may be worth it, especially if you can easily fit those hours into your schedule.

Join with a group. Many fitness facilities will lower their monthly rates for a large group. One of the easiest ways to take advantage of this benefit is through your employer. Ask your human resources department whether your employer has deals with local clubs. Many fitness clubs offer family or household discounts to two or more people who live together. You can also gather a group of friends and ask a gym manager if she would be willing to cut a deal for the group. Check your insurance benefits.

Health insurance plans may provide discounts on a gym membership. See whether there are any special requirements to get a reimbursement—you may have to visit a facility a certain number of times a month.

Read the contract. One of the most expensive charges you could eventually encounter is a cancellation fee. You might have to let the club know you want to cancel two months in advance, for example, or submit a notarized letter to end the contract. Keep in mind that this has been an area that fitness customers have complained about. Last year, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, whose term ended this month, said that there had been a significant rise in consumer complaints in his state about discrepancies between what they were told by sales personnel and what the signed contract guaranteed, especially when it came to cancellation procedures.

The attorney general said you should carefully read any contract you sign, keep a copy of that contract, and be wary of unusually low prices.