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Release date 01/07/2008
YONKERS, NY — Some national health-club chains that can cost up to $95 a month didn’t fare as well as private studios for yoga, dance or Pilates, and gyms at local community centers, schools, work, and nonprofit Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and YMCAs in Consumer Reports National Research Center’s first-ever health club survey.
Among commercial chains, Bally Total Fitness scored among the lowest. Bally was criticized for wait times for machines, problems with contracts or fees, poorer cleanliness, and less adequate locker rooms than others; while Life Time Fitness was the only chain toward the top of ratings, with high marks for equipment, locker rooms, classes, and hours (all locations are open 24 hours a day.)
More than 10,000 subscribers to www.ConsumerReports.org who used a gym in the past six months reported on staff, equipment, classes, crowds, cleanliness, and billing issues. The 3,400 respondents who had canceled a membership in another gym during the past three years reported on why they left and whether it was easy to cancel (often, it wasn’t).
To investigate the sometimes tricky experience of joining a health club, CR also sent 12 of its “Mystery Shoppers” to ask about joining branches of the major chains in nine states.
“Consumers can pay up to $95 a month to join a health club and get certain extras like personal training sessions and spa services, but CR’s survey indicated that they might be happier spending a lot less,” said Jamie Kopf Hirsh, associate editor, Consumer Reports. “There are some great values to be found at the gyms at Y’s, community centers, and JCCs.”
The report on health clubs is part of a fitness package in the February issue—just in time for people to get in shape following the holiday season. The package includes tests of 10 exercise machines sold on TV infomercials that tout amazing fitness claims, and ratings of more than 30 treadmills and elliptical machines.
The full report on health clubs is available in the February 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, which is available wherever magazines are sold. Portions of the story are available for free online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
The survey also found that among respondents with paid memberships, 16 percent had a problem with contracts or fees, such as an unexpected dues hike or inability to freeze a membership temporarily
during an expected absence. Thirty-eight percent of respondents who had canceled a membership to a big gym had at least one problem, such as receiving bills after cancellation and excessive time and effort to cancel.
How to get the most out of a gym membership
CR experts recommend the following tips for people who are thinking of joining a gym:
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2008 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2008 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.