Will Joining a Gym Make Your Wallet Thin?

Is there a place where you can view membership rates for area gyms? None of their websites mention anything.

We checked around, and were not able to find any one site that listed membership rates for gyms around the city. Even most of the clubs' web sites themselves don't list their prices in hopes of getting potential members into the gym where they can dazzle them with the latest equipment and current specials - if you sign up today!
So we did some of the legwork for you and checked out what several local gyms are offering for those of us looking to feel the burn.
The chart shows the rates for Crunch, Dolphin Fitness (the Manhattan location), Equinox, Lucille Roberts- who was the only place that would not give prices over the phone, but encouraged us to make an appointment at one of the area gyms to get pricing, NY Health & Racquet Club, NY Sports Club, and the McBurney YMCA.

All the prices on the chart listed are for one adult with a 12-month contract. The YMCA's prices varied the most even within boroughs. Where as McBurney in Manhattan is $79/month, the Greenpoint YMCA is only $41.70/month, and we currently pay $49/month for the Prospect Park YMCA (although we think those prices have gone up a bit.) The YMCA's facilities all vary greatly, which explains why each location is priced accordingly. They also give you the option to pay annually - Citywide access is $1033/year, McBurney is $948/year, Greenpoint is $500/year.

On the other end of the scale is Equinox, which was the most expensive that we came across, but there is no extra charge for nationwide access, and they boast spas, pools, and complimentary deodorant and razors and such. Everything is provided, according to the gentleman on the phone.

If you really are trying to figure out how to get access to a yacht for the summer, NY Health & Racquet Club would probably be a great choice for you. On top of their citywide gym access, members are given access to the yacht and the beach and tennis club during summer months. The prices listed on the chart for NYHRC are good until July 31st, they were unable to tell us what they would be beyond that. If you are a commitment-phobe, you can skip the yearly contract and pay $119/month with a $59 initiation fee, or if you love commitment, you can sign a 2-year contract and pay $99/month.

New York Sports Clubs' prices listed above for the single location price also include access to the citywide gyms at off-peak hours. To avoid their contracts, you pay $200 initiation, $89.95 for one location (with citywide access during off-peak hours), and $95.95 for citywide access.

Dolphin Fitness prices are for the Manhattan locations only. If you want access to both their Manhattan locations, it is an additional $50. They do not have a plan for both Manhattan and Brooklyn locations, as they explained to us, because some locations are corporate and some are franchises. So you either have to join in Brooklyn or Manhattan, you cannot do both. They are also offering a special right now that is $149 for membership through December 15th.

Crunch offers you the option to skip the contract as well, but like the other gyms, the prices go up. With month-to-month membership, initiation is $149 and monthly fees are $89/month for citywide and $74/month for a single location.

Many of these gyms may offer corporate rates as well, so you should check with them and perhaps you can get an even better deal. We barely scraped the surface of all the gyms around the city, not even touching on the smaller neighborhood gyms. What are your favorites/least favorites?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christina Piluso in Miscellaneous on July 19, 2006 11:35 AM

Comments [rss]

HarryLGH

Forget these big corporation ripoffs! NYSC on 9th street "accidentally" canceled my membership after 4 years, then they told me I had to pay $15- more a month if I wanted to stay there. I am not sure if it was their way of raising my dues or if they genuinely made a mistake & couldn't revive my old price.

In any case, I checked the Harbor Fitness on 15th St. I expected little based on the plain entrance but was amazed at how nice it was. High ceilings, 2 floors, and twice as much equipment. They charge $59 a month which is close to my old rate at NYSC. Also, when I joined, they "guarantee" I will pay the same price in perpetuity.

Not sure if this is corporate run, but the people working there definitely don't give off that official bureaucratic "stand-off"ish vibe. They smile a lot and say goodbye everytime I leave but that's OK.

HarryLGH

Forget these big corporation ripoffs! NYSC on 9th street "accidentally" canceled my membership after 4 years, then they told me I had to pay $15- more a month if I wanted to stay there. I am not sure if it was their way of raising my dues or if they genuinely made a mistake & couldn't revive my old price.

In any case, I checked the Harbor Fitness on 15th St. I expected little based on the plain entrance but was amazed at how nice it was. High ceilings, 2 floors, and twice as much equipment. They charge $59 a month which is close to my old rate at NYSC. Also, when I joined, they "guarantee" I will pay the same price in perpetuity.

Not sure if this is corporate run, but the people working there definitely don't give off that official bureaucratic "stand-off"ish vibe. They smile a lot and say goodbye everytime I leave but that's OK.

JCAngel2

I think Lucille Roberts varies its prices depending on the neighborhood and possibly the equipment as well. I joined at the location on 6th ave. which was about 45 a month but I was closer to a location in Jersey city so they suggested I switch my membership to that one, and I ended up paying 19 a month... Not bad...

betsbillabong

I have a general question about corporate membership rates at gyms (and I'm particularly interested in Equinox): do I just need to reference the corporation I work for, or do I need to provide some sort of proof that I work there, like a paystub? Also, what if I join at a corporate rate and then change jobs or go back to school... can I continue at the monthly rate I joined with?

Thanks,

BB

mardona

went to city rec center at 59 street and it made me ashamed of being a new yorker the place stank of urine, the fitness room was a rat hole. even a small town has a decent plain community center for all to enjoy..and here the richest city in the world and this is what you get for yr taxes.

Levi Ford

Veteran actor William Franklyn, known for voicing the 1960s Schweppes TV adverts, dies aged 81...

chris hotting

Was a member of NYSC, I tryied NYHRC for a year. I getting back to NYSC. shipper, more locations in the city, people are nicer, crowed muche nicer, less crowded during rush hour, they don't try to sell you training sessions all the time.

Ch

Debra Sito

Christina Piluso, the article's author, is absolutely correct in suggesting you inquire about a corporate rate for your company/group. I have worked in the Crunch Corporate Services divison for the last five years and the Crunch corporate rates are a very good indeed, so I invite anyone to phone me to check at 917-749-6704. Crunch offers a corporate rate to over 600 companies large and small so its worth it to make the call.

Chris Guzman

With the rising temperatures, does anyone have a list of gyms that offer an indoor running track in lieu of the treadmill?

nisey79

I also belong to Equinox (after being a longtime member of both NYSC and Crunch). I pay $129/mo. for a single-location membership. Equinox has a great spa-like atmosphere, the entire place is spotless, and the classes and instructors are great. I figure that my health is my most important asset, so why not splurge a bit? Instead of being a chore, I enjoy going to the gym now.

Stacy Horn

I belong to a city gym, the one that used to be called Carmine Street but is now called Tony Dapolito. And yes, the price is great, but they have something called "family hours" from 9:30 - to 5:30 every day As a single person, I can't be there during family hours. Not very fair.

So, I joined 24/7 on 6th between 5th and 6th, for $30 a month and I really love the place. No frills, but very clean and nice and all the machines work and the staff and the people who go there are are very nice. The place has a friendly vibe. And I love the boxing classes. (What a workout!)

Rocknrope

I think it's actually 32-35 laps per mile on that indoor track at the Park Slope YMCA. I remember running on it once while training for the marathon, and I almost went insane from the monotony.

Don't forget, if you want a hardcore "Rocky III, Apollo's old gym" experience, there's 5th Avenue Gym on 5th and 14th Street. In the basement, mostly free weights, and as gritty as a sandcastle souffle. I think it's $30 bucks a month, or $5 per workout.

Suz

I'm currently at Bally's on a 3-yr, $19.99 per month contract but am planning to cancel after one year. When I signed up the guy told me that I could cancel (for a $50 fee) after one year. Can someone please explain a little more how a gym gets away with charging you after you don't want to be there (short of having to cancel my credit card)? Thanks.

mihow

I totally stand by the NYSC. Plus, if you travel as we sometimes do, you can use the ones in DC and Boston.

They are clean and the staff is super friendly. I haven't had one bad experience there. (Except for the one at Grand Central, which is the one I go to every day on my lunch break. That one seems to have a larger group of really self-righteous snotty, ladies. Otherwise, it's great.) We bounce around constantly. We go to whatever one is nearest. On the weekends we'll hit the one in the Slope or the one at 14th street.

I can't recommend this club enough especially if you have the extra 90 bucks. Actually, here's the way I look at it, when you pay that much you force yourself to go. At least I do. And each time I go, it's cheaper! :]

smitty

Astoria Pool in Astoria is huge. Mmm...swimming.

pastoralia

Harbor Fitness in Park Slope (and Bay Ridge) IS great but it's not 24 hours on the weekends, only during the week. They kick you out at 10pm on Fridays (I don't know about Sat/Sun but I think it's the same). Other than that the place does rock with great equiptment, friendly staff, good amenities, and a nice-sized smoothie bar. I looked around and priced all of the gyms in Park Slope (even that little Eagle Fitness on 5th and Union) and Harbor is above and beyond all of them for the price.

christina

park slope ymca has an indoor track - elevated above the basketball court, it's very small and oddly slanted, but I do see people running on it occasionally. I believe it's something like 20 laps equal a mile however.

They have tv's on 90% of their equipment.

amanda

I get a corporate rate at NYHRC of $78 a month, which is exceptional given the quality of the gyms, the fact that I don't have to "rent" towels, and some great yoga classes. They also have a pool in every location except one (Cooper Sq., their newest location).

My best friend went in a few weeks ago to inquire about rates and got their "pitch", and talked them down to about $80 a month with no initiation fee. Most of these places will come down on price if you pay a full year up front.

Bo

If you are willing to commit to a two year contract, about once a year crunch runs a special 30 month deal for $1299 with access to all their city gyms. I think they run the deal towards the end of summer. That comes out to just over $43 a month. This plan really only works if you know you'll use the gym on a regular basis. I've signed up with this deal twice (I've been a member of Crunch for nearly 8 years) and I'm extremely happy with it. And for whatever reason they haven't increased the price in a number of years.

dora

many of these gyms offer domestic partner discounts, which can apply to a roommate (because it's no one's business if they are just a roommate).

I'm a member of the court st/atlantic ave "dodge" y, which is about $60 a month for individuals. For me and my boyfriend it's $100 a month, and since we are city employees we get I think %20 off. So $40/month total. Not bad!