"These economic times" - Affecting gyms?

Hey all,


My brother joined a gym the other day, and got a five day free pass for another person. After much hymming and hawwing, I decided to go up.


Anyway, i don't think the place is too bad and despite me being scarily overweight, I've yet to feel out of place or awkward. Therefore, I like the place and wouldn't mind going more often.


I was wondering though, they have two price rates. You can pay monthly (which is what I'd most likely do). They have a regular price of €49 per month and a student price at €36 per month.


My brother isn't a student, but lied through his teeth and got the student price. I was wondering if there's anything I can do to get that price (without giving them the same lie, obviously... might look a little suspicious)?


(In short, I'm on the dole, no job in sight, like the gym, but would rather spend money on other essentials like food, toilet paper and wrestling figures :pac:)



Do you reckon if I told them that other gyms in the surrounding area were offering me their student rate, and I could just as easily sign up with them, that this gym would give me their student rate? Or are gyms still doing fantastic business and wouldn't entertain me at all?


Just looking for some help here on what way to approach this. Can't really justify the €49 per month, as, for the most part, I can't afford it, and it annoys me my brother can get the student rate.


Thanks in advance to anyone able to help.




Edit: Also, I've only been to the gym twice (two days in a row). My arms are killing me. I'm guessing that's a good thing?

cowzerp

Deleted User wrote: »

My brother isn't a student, but lied through his teeth and got the student price. I was wondering if there's anything I can do to get that price (without giving them the same lie, obviously... might look a little suspicious)?

Do you reckon if I told them that other gyms in the surrounding area were offering me their student rate, and I could just as easily sign up with them, that this gym would give me their student rate? Or are gyms still doing fantastic business and wouldn't entertain me at all?

Your bro's lies worked so it makes sense to use it again, and if they say but your brother does that-so? we're in college together-gyms are desperate for members and are losing far more than they are taking on, its a buyers market and the sales people know that too..

they have to make sales to earn a crust so will sell you the cheapest they can if they have no other choice.

Locamon

Not sure how you can afford either of these prices...

I am assuming you are not near any of the Ben Dunne empire -in fairness they should work out at less than €25 a month though you will have to sign up for the year... around this time they often give a couple of months free as well!

If you are near one of those gyms but are set on this gym tell them you want a big reduction or you are off to see Ben D...

would have thought the student rate would apply to unemployed also?!

pieface_ie

I'd just lie and say your a student,you have nothing to lose but to pay the full price,if you ask and they say no, then your in a no win situation,lie with a smile my freind

Locamon

Deleted User wrote: »

Edit: Also, I've only been to the gym twice (two days in a row). My arms are killing me. I'm guessing that's a good thing?

If you are using weights don't use the same muscles 2 days in a row... need a recovery day and the results are better.

uRbaN

My local gym charged my wife €69 per month plus a joinign fee of around €200 2 years ago.

She didnt renew.

She rejoined 2 months ago for €300 for the year after her mate tipped her off that she got this rate.

They are definately affected and well worth haggling with them. Fair play to your brother.

Hey all again.


I'm in Drogheda, so not too familiar with what's around. The place I'm talking about is called Aura, there's another place called "SFX GYM" down town, and I'm fairly certain there's another Jackie Skelly (?) gym on the outskirts of town. I think there's another gym floating about the area somewhere too, but I can't remember if its still around (can't remember the name).


I could afford the €49 if i really wanted to, but just don't want to pay that. I'm assuming there are plenty of people screwing them and getting the student rate, so I'm sure as hell not paying full whack.


Would I be better off just explaining my situation to them, trying to sound really poor and hoping for sympathy? Or just tell porkies?



Locamon, I've heard that alright. Seen as I'm new to the whole thing Im just getting carried away I guess. Ill no doubt hurt myself before I start doing things properly Wont go near the place again until Monday anyway. Not a good people person and i reckon the place will be packed over the weekend. Cheers for the advice though

The Davestator

Great prices in SFX gym, and you'll get better programmes off the staff who work there than the kids in aura. (know both of these gyms well) The other main one is Westgate Fitness (behind hilton foods) nice big gym too.

**Timbuk2**

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm in Drogheda, so not too familiar with what's around. The place I'm talking about is called Aura, there's another place called "SFX GYM" down town, and I'm fairly certain there's another Jackie Skelly (?) gym on the outskirts of town.

I didn't know there was an Aura in Drogheda. If it's anything like the one in Dundalk (which is the town's public pool/gym) then it's not that good. The best one in Louth is generally agreed to be Felda in Dundalk, followed closely by JJB in Dundalk. I know a few people who travel from Drogheda to go to Felda, but in my opinion the journey would be a pain to do every time you wanted to go to the gym.

My advice would be to 'shop around' and look at all the gyms in your area. Most places have no problem with you walking around and looking at the facilities.

Hey again all.

Aura probably isn't the best, but i'm no gym expert. The reason I really want to stick with Aura is cos that's where my brother goes and because I'm slowly getting more familiar with the place, I feel more comfortable going there (I've got what I can only really describe as some form of Social Anxiety, so i tend to try and not go far, and Aura is practically a two minute cycle from my house, so it has that going for it, along with the fact that my brother will be there to go with me, etc.).




I guess what I'm really trying to say in this thread is that I want to join Aura, but I want to use their compeition to manipulate them into giving me a cheaper price.


SFX Have an ad in the paper and I'm fairly sure there's a phone number there, too. So I may ring them tomorrow or this evening to ask about pricing.

ragg

just call in - tell them you are unemployed but could afford to pay the stundent price if they can afford to sell it at that price.
Its near the end of the month now, so they'll most likely take your hand too

squod

Deleted User wrote: »

I was wondering though, they have two price rates. You can pay monthly (which is what I'd most likely do). They have a regular price of €49 per month


/quote]


There's people paying €49 euros a month now? WOW
I gotta get in contact with these people. I'm sure i could sell them something they don't need for extortionate prices too.

irishwarrior

Hi KKV
you dead right to shop around, i've done that myself calling all the gyms in drogheda and ended up with great deal in sfxgym...350 for year and they allowing me to pay over 4-5 wks..very friendly and no hard sale..great equipment and programmes if you into free weights or fitness plus all machines are working unlike my last gym westgate fitness every week something else broke.
hope it all works out for you
remember no pain no gain