Economy Has Some Gyms Scaling Back On Prices

“So you ate one too many snickerdoodles over the holidays, and now your tummy is bulging over the top of your pants. Like many Americans, you probably have the same New Year's resolution year after year, and 2009 is no different: Get in shape. But with the economy in the dumps, a gym membership may seem like an overindulgence. In response to the tough times, many area gyms are offering deep discounts for January, which historically is the biggest month for new membership enrollment at health clubs, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. ‘This is due in large part to the overwhelming number of New Year's resolutions,’ said Kara Thompson, spokeswoman for the association. ‘Most deals and discounts are offered at this time of the year. There may be a little more leeway with mom and pop niche gyms because they can offer more discounts.’ At many gyms, this year's discounts are deeper then usual, owners and managers say. Chris Carter, co-owner of Fitness Xpress in The Village at Lee Branch near Greystone, said he is offering discounts through March to make up for the 20 percent loss he has experienced since the economy turned sour. The gym is eliminating its $100 enrollment fee and discounting monthly rates by $5. That brings the monthly fee to $29 for a single two-year contract, $34 for a one-year contract and $39 for a month-to-month membership without a contract. ‘With the economy the way it is, a lot of members opt for the month-to-month,’ he said. Besides price, Carter said he has added other benefits for his customers, including 24-hour access to the gym and three free personal training sessions, which would normally run about $120. Down the street, SportPlex in Inverness is offering discounted monthly fees and a $69 enrollment fee. A monthly membership for one person is less than $40 and a spouse can be added for an additional $10 per month, said manager Bob Joy. "Our memberships are really reasonable," he said. "You can have a membership here for less than $1.15 a day, which is the cost of a Coke." Tine Hoffmeister, general manager of Lady Works Fitness in Pelham, said a few clients have canceled their memberships because they lost their jobs. "We do see people cutting off fitness, and it's sad because they need to de-stress and there are great health benefits from exercise," she said. "It's important to keep your health in any economy. You get more energy and confidence. But it's also important to know that you don't have to go to a gym to exercise. You can take the stairs, walk, dance." Hoffmeister said she can't afford to lower monthly rates for new clients because, like everything else, the economy has affected her business. But she said she has cut the enrollment fee to $20.09 for January. Monthly fees range from $32.95 to $49.95. "We are the third-fattest state in the nation, and it's costing us so much in health care," she said. "People think it takes so much to change, but it doesn't. It just takes a little bit of exercise every day. It's all about consistency."

http://www.al.com/health-fitness/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/living/1231146950193130.xml&coll=2