Are Expensive Gym Memberships Better for Your Health?

Recently I renewed my gym membership to 24 Hour Fitness. Having grandfathered into this gym franchise from the now absorbed company Bally Total Fitness, my gym membership pricing was locked into the greatly discounted price of about $120 USD per year. It would be considered brainless if I choose not to renew my membership to the club just simply due to a $10/month price point. However, I made it a point that I would join the movement into luxury fitness for 2018. Equinox is the epitome of high-end gyms with the latest weightlifting technology, World class trainers and group training instructors, eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, saltwater pools and extremely clean skyscraper-sized facilities. The idea of a country club is now attainable within the confines of city space now.

However, the catch is that the membership price starts around $225 USD per month which grants access to a single location or a $240 USD option that allows all access to multiple locations (excluding a handful of even higher tier facilities).

Hold your horses there. That doesn't even include the initiation fee that costs $500 and can get as high as $1000 depending on the time of year you decide to join. Though most of the time they waive that fee if you pressure them that its wildly improbable you will join due to that bloated cost.

So are these amenities really worth the extra cost? I mean the disparity in cost is enormous, comparing my yearly membership cost to 24-hour fitness is literally half the price of one single month at Equinox. The answer: it depends. If the luxury that Equinox offers is enough to get you to walk through the gym doors than you already won half the fitness battle. On average people spend 2.5 hours at Equinox. Due to the classes, steam rooms and the absolutely gorgeous shower facilities with Kheils branded bathing soaps and lotions.

I have been a member for 1 week and I am convinced that I am doing my body, health, and fitness a necessary favor. From doing the various yoga classes and metabolic conditioning classes, I have just restarted something in my body that I haven't felt since my high school years. Metabolic conditioning 3 aka Metcon 3 has you jumping, sprinting, sweating and looking like a clumsy fool amongst the other 20 fools that decided to return to the class for another beating.

I have never been so sore yet so pain-free in 10 years. My chronic lower back pain hasn't hurt for the last few days (except while I perform yoga poses incorrectly). I have more energy throughout the day and sleep better at night. The cleansing body wash and lotions have rejuvenated my skin within a week. My face and body which suffered from bumps and dryness have all become baby soft, smooth and radiant. My friends even mentioned that I look like a million bucks.

Now on the other hand, if you have the discipline to go your regular priced gym, perform yoga classes and workout boot camp style whether by yourself or taking classes at other facilities and using top of the line hygiene products, and I mean really pampering your self. You can still do it for a fraction of the equinox membership price.

But for me, I have now found a home, workspace, spa, gym and a great community all in my very comfortable Equinox facilities.