Is Your Gym Membership Worth It? How to Tell

Do you have a love/hate relationship with the gym? Do you find yourself pausing in contemplation before paying your monthly membership fee? Sure, you love the energetic feeling you have after working out and have trouble suppressing a smile when others tell you how great you look, but is a gym membership really the right fit for you? "That depends", says Shirley Archer, the 2008 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year and author of The Strength & Toning Deck (Chronicle Books, $14.95), "exercise should fit the person, not vice versa. And the same goes for exercise facilities and equipment. It's all about finding the right fit. Working out takes time, effort and commitment", says Shirley. Depending on your schedule and end goal, the method that best fits your lifestyle will vary greatly.

If you're motivated to work out and are looking for the right fit based on your goals and lifestyle, read on.

You're a busy executive or a time-starved mom on the go.

According to Shirley a home gym makes the most sense for you - if you have the space and money to create one and if you plan on using it enough. For you, "it's all about saving time, improving efficiencies and eliminating all possible barriers to getting it (your workout) done", says Shirley.

You have a flexible schedule.

A part-time gym membership would work well for you. "Many facilities will sell a membership for use in the mid-day", says Shirley. "Peak hours are typically early morning and evening. If you have a flexible schedule as a retiree or if you're a mom with kids in school and live near a gym, an off peak hours membership may be the answer", she says.

You rarely use the equipment at the gym, but really enjoy taking classes.

"Many clubs now offer "passport passes" or "class passes" so you can pay as you go. If you only attend classes, you can pay only for the classes that you take", says Shirley.

You travel frequently, or have an unpredictable schedule, or like seasonal indoor workouts.

Shirley suggests purchasing a day pass to your favorite workout facility or a short-term gym membership.

You find yourself with some extra time on your hands, or you have a workout facility close to your office.

If you're a person who is fairly motivated to exercise and you know you will use it often, a full-time gym membership is a great fit for you, says Shirley. Added bonus - the gym is a great place for singles to meet and mingle!

You're looking for a little guidance when it comes to your exercise routine.

Whether you're a beginner who is unfamiliar with training techniques and exercise equipment, or an experienced exerciser who is feeling the staleness of your regular routine, a personal trainer might work well for you. "Personal trainers can work well for people at all fitness levels", says Shirley. "A personal trainer works best for someone who is ready to make the commitment of time and money and has realistic expectations, as you will not get instant results. Even if the intent is to work short-term with a trainer, who will then develop a program for you that you can do on your own, you should plan on working with a trainer for at least 6-8 weeks. If you're not ready to make that much of a commitment up front, it's best to wait", she says.

Finding the right fit for you will ensure that you get the most out of your workout for maximum results.

If you want to work with a trainer, gyms often have trainers available at cheaper rates than those that will come to your home. However, the rule of "you get what you pay for" still applies in that less experienced trainers cut their teeth in gyms and get their experience before going out on their own and charging higher rates.

High-end clubs will have seasoned, experienced trainers; these will cost more.

Full-time Gym Membership: best for young, single adults who have more time on their hands or working adults with a facility close to their office that they can use either before work, at lunch or immediately after work. People who are fairly motivated to exercise and know that they will use it often.

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